Colorado Technical University

Pregnant Teenager?

What advice would you give to a pregnant teenager who doesn't have the support of their family?What responsibilities is that person guaranteed to have to face in the future?Do you guys know anybody who had a baby as a teenager and went on to postsecondary education?Basically do you think a pregnant teenager can manage if she has the support of the babys father, and not the support of her family but the babys fathers' family? She's positive that the childs father is going to stay because the baby fathers' father left him when he was a kid basically as soon as he was born.He never had any contact or communication with his father even though they lived on the same island.That really bothers him even to this day.He can't be a hypocrite he said you know.But the pregnant teen can and will finish school.Because if she is pregnant their is only 6 more months of school, and it is a guarantee that her exams can be pushed forward so that she is able to take them.She is already studying for her drivers license, and she is already looking for her a job.She's thinking of taking a year off from school while working to raise the kid, then after she plans to go to school.

Public Comments

1. A child is NOT emotionally developed enough to have a child. If we don't let children drive or drink or vote, we should NEVER allow a child to have a child.
2. I would tell her to call the nearest adoption agency. She has no guarantees that the baby's father and his family will continue to support this child. I would ask the father to give up his rights and assure that this child has a happy, intact family to grow up in.
3. My mom had me at 18. She was married to my father for 16 years. She quit high school and has just recently gotten her GED. She plans on going back to school. She also lives in a $400,000.00 home, which is pretty pricey for the part of Ohio we live in. I got pregnant at 17 as well. Finished high school with a 4.0 GPA, have earned 10 college credits. I'm taking a year off of school so I can get used to the idea of working and going to school at the same time. It can be done. Good luck to you and congratulations. edit to add for all these expecting this guy to leave you. That does NOT always happen. The father of the child leaving happens quite a bit, but not always. I've been with my husband four years now. He's the same man that fathered both of my children. My parents were married for 16 years. It's hard as any relationship is, but it can be done if you put in the effort.
4. Teenage pregnancy is a huge issue in the United States. Most of the time teenagers have no choice but to drop out of school just get a job to support herself. Sometimes it ends tragically and CPS gets involved because the mother simply can not take care of herself plus one. All support the expectant mother can get she will need. She will be very overwhelmed when the baby comes. The pregnant mother can always get her GED and move on to college if she has the support. But if not one is willing to support her, most likely she will realize no one cares and she will eventually not care either. There are many schools in the country that offer free daycare during the day so the mother can get her education and actually graduate high school. There are assistant programs that can help her financially while she gets her education. In my opinion, staying in high school would be the best thing for her. She should get on State TANF and stay in school. After the baby comes, (and shes income eligable) the state can pay for daycare expenses if she turns in her school hours. There are lots of support groups and resources out there that can help her. Good luck to her and God Bless!
5. As long as she has support from somewheres. Maybe she should get a job, she should have thought about this before getting pregnant.
6. I am a teenage mother. I am so proud of my accomplishments. The woman in question should really take pride and consideration of her situation. I think it's great if a woman--any age--can get pregnant and take on the responsibilities in a mature manner. I have a degree and a certificate in phlebotomy. I am still continuing my education through online courses. It's not about "managing"--it's embracing the wonderful situation with your (or whoever it is) head held high and working towards the goal to maintain a wonderful loving relationship with her spouse/partner, a great mothering relationship with her child, and still have a bit of her own life to further her education OR whatever goals she has had. Motherhood is not easy whatever your age. It's all about setting out with a positive and optimistic attitude with whatever obstacles we encounter. I hope this helps answer your question. I know it's cliché but anything's possible if you just believe!
7. i think that if she has enough support she can get threw this. as long as no one loses doubt in her she will do fine. ;)
8. Your in for a hard road be sure this is something you can handle if not please consider adoption there are people out there who would love to have a baby. If dad stays in the picture maybe things will be ok and your parents could come around to the idea of being grandparents mine did there is something about babies that is hard to resist especially for grandma's Responsibilties oh Lord where do I start babies are time consuming and expensive get a job you WILL need it people say the baby will be someone who loves me unconditionally well no not really and at least not all the time as an newborn you are their WORLD of course they love you but you are usually to tired to spend much time enjoying this wonder by the time their a toddler prepare to be more annoyed with your baby than anything they WILL test you, scare you and make you laugh all at the same time The preschoolers can drive you nuts one minute and turn you to mush the next. My oldest is 10 now and I have just gotten to the point where I can enjoy his company not that I didn't love, adore and enjoy him before but now it is a two way street and I can see all the time and effort I put into his early years has paid off he is a joy to be around simply because he is a good person my 4 and 5 year old girls however are a different story while I love them dearly I sometimes wonder if I like them at this stage. My 9 month old is still beautiful, innocent and new and gives me that mostly toothless grin that could melt anyones heart. So be prepared while you will love your child they will test and try you long before they are ever mature enough to give that love back in the way you are hoping they will.
9. My cousin was pregnant before she graduated, and even if the school system does not let her finish her schooling for that year, they will usually let them go back the next year, and like you said push of test if need be. Basically if you are the supporting family, then keep being that way. If you are a friend still keep supporting. Some families unfortunately do disown their children when they become pregnant. It is sad, because that is when your child needs you most, and we all want to be there when our children need it most. There is a lot of government help out there, and if the couple is not married yet, then she can draw on that. It is good that the father wants to stick around, but she should Marry him because she loves him and he loves her. They can both still support the child without being married. It is harder, but the worst thing to do in the world is to stick completely together if no love is involved. If they feel like they can make it work and they really care for one another then love will take root, but if they tend to argue, then they need to think it over. Mostly just hold her, and let her know that she may have made a mistake, but children are a blessing and she will have the strength to get through this. Her teenage years have been cut short and she has a long road, and she needs to be prepared, and if her on family want help her, and you feel like taking on the task do. Let her know that she has responsibility and that partying with children is not an option, and that though she needs to get out sometimes for herself without the child, she also needs to realize that the best person for that baby is herself, and she needs to bond with it. Then of course there is the new mother thing. Most teenage girls are hormonal anyway, but when you have a pregnant one, you really have a problem. She should be watched for depression and she needs to know that she needs to try and stay possitive because the baby can feel her feelings, and this plays a big role at birth. I have seen that happen as well. She needs to know about her body changes and what she will be like after the baby is born, and that her body may never be exactly the same. Every woman has a bit of hard time with that I would think a teenager would have a harder time. She needs to know about all the late nights and feedings and how tired she will get in that first six to eight week, and she needs to know that the chances for having a child that is special needs increases when you are young or when you are close to you fourties. So she must eat right, drink lots of water, and lay off of the salt. If her family is not preparing her for this, and you feel it your duty then do so, because in the long run you will have saved a mother and a child.