What are your views on teen pregnancy?

[Neomage]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

Age is pretty much irrelevant, directly speaking. It's all about life situation. If you can handle a child or not. Of course, age will impact that. There are plenty of people in their 30s and 40s who can't handle a child, and have them anyway. As far as pregnancy itself goes, I look at it the same way I look at all pregnancy: either selfish or irresponsible. There are tons of kids out there that need homes, and far too few people adopt instead of giving birth to yet another kid.

Exactly. I know people who are 16 that are more mature then some people in their 30s. That is, not to say they should have a baby at 16, but depending on the situation, I can see were it could be plausible. However, at that age, most people are overcome by emotions and they don't know what life really is, and they think they will be with their current boyfriend for the rest of their life. Very, very unlikely to happen.

Basically, if they plan on having a baby, raising it like a good parent, taking care of all it's needs and wants, maintaining a good income, and providing a good home, I commend them for it. It doesn't matter if they are 16 or 60. I will however, say such a situation is much less likely to occur at 16. In short, if it was planned, and if they can handle it, I can respect them for it. However, if it was an act of selfishness, then I see it as highly disrespectful to just about everyone else in the world.

And Feba - I think that couples should have the right to their own blood child. However, I do not think they should be allowed to pump out babies faster then a rabbit pumps out bunnies. 2 is good. 3 is pushing it. Unless you had triplets or something, I can't see the need for 4 or more, you are only destabilizing the family. I understand what you mean with adoption, but it can be a lot harder to raise a child that is not your flesh in blood. Eventually, you will develop a connection, but at the mother-and-child connection first it isn't there, making it much more difficult for the inexperienced in the early years, when it matters most.

[Feba]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

I never said it should be illegal, or that we should limit how many births people can have. Just that it's a dickish thing to do. Like McMansions-- I'd never propose a law against people making houses over a certain size, but I have no problem saying it's a stupid and assholish thing to do.

I understand what you mean with adoption, but it can be a lot harder to raise a child that is not your flesh in blood. Eventually, you will develop a connection, but at the mother-and-child connection first it isn't there, making it much more difficult for the inexperienced in the early years, when it matters most.

Child-rearing is never easy. If you can't take care of a kid just because it doesn't share your genetic information, you have no business raising one in the first place.

[Ziero]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

You wouldn't stop to think for one second that maybe they wanted it?

A mature decision for a young couple, however, you can definatly have a job at that age and support a child if you live for free with your parents.. and if not, there's alot of teenagers in this day and age living on their own. Emancipation is more and more common.
In my opinion, I'd applaud them.

And no one said they attend school. They could be homeschooled, online.

I think people should really think before judging someone. As if it isn't hard enough already for them.

At 16/17? She's not ready to have a kid. Her body and mind are still developing, there's a reason why teenage pregnancies are dangerous. There's no reason to intentionally try and have a kid when you're still kids yourself. I know a lot of people who wanted one when they were younger, and one of them who had one, it's going to be harder then you'll ever imagine. I can't think of one reason to intentionally try and have a baby when your lives are barely beginning as is.

So many kids these days think they know everything at 17, but then again that's how it always has been. And just like every other generation of "know-it-all" teenagers, life is going to hit them hard.

If two teenagers decide to have a child, imo, it just shows how irresponsible they actually are.

[Sabaron]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

My view on teen pregnancy is that:

The human body is designed to have sex--it is only by resisting the natural instincts of the body that one doesn't end up either pregnant or impregnating someone.

Some people have a problem with birth control. I think there are instinctual mechanisms in place that make people not want to use birth control. "Barriers" like condoms set off these instincts and cause people to want to remove them. Birth control pills don't do this since they aren't intimately entangled in the actual act of sex and so are more likely to work than a physical barrier.

However, giving hormone pills to people who are still growing is, in my opinion, not a good idea at all. People have such a vague understanding of the mechanisms of growth in the first place--why would you add more synthetic hormones to a veritable chemical storm that is a teenager?

Surgical sterilization should not be considered for minors.

Abortion is a terrible option--it has a lot of negative psychological effects despite what its proponents might say, and has been statistically shown to shorten the life of those who have it done.

I was born when my mom was 16, and abortion was never even considered. The proper thing to do at that time was to get married and take responsibility for the child. That is the reality of the situation:

If you have sex and make a baby--you have done what nature intended. Therefore, you have to follow the process to it's natural conclusion which is the care of the child--Either by your care or that of adoptive parents. When I say "your" that includes the father--both parents are equally responsible unless someone else takes this responsibility (adoption).

I don't blame anyone for not being able to resist extremely powerful instincts, but I do expect them to take responsibility for their own actions even if they aren't adults by technicality of numerical age.

I think that kids should stick with oral, manual, and anal sex, but obviously that's not going to happen since as has been said before, "The Vagina is a Magical Object" (by WishMaster3k from TGM's Sig), and very hard for a horny boy to resist.

[Kitalrez]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

I have been thinking about this topic for awhile now, and I believe I have "A Modest Proposal" to address it...


Yeah, 16 is too young, and if you don't agree with me, my only response is: age. Seriously, when you actually see what you have to deal with as you get older, it makes less and less sense to pump little copies out when you're younger.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

Wow....I really hate topics like this. Why? So many conflicting emotions. I was a teenage mother. Ya ya I know the thoughts going through some of your minds right now. Just remember people make mistakes. I got pregnant the first time I had consensual sex. (And yes there is a reason for me putting that word in front of sex but not the issue right now.)

Do I approve of teenage pregnancy. 100% absolutely beyond a shadow of a doubt.............NO!

Why? Because I lived it, I know how hard it is and I know how it can ruin your life. Life is a struggle all on its own, why do you want to complicate things further? I could write you a huge ass post on this but I won't. No one anywhere ever will change my mind that its a good thing "because we want it" or "because we are in love" or anything else. Don't do it. You have your entire lives ahead of you and PLENTY of time to start a family. Enjoy each other now because you won't be able to after you have a child.

[Illyria]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

If two teenagers decide to have a child, imo, it just shows how irresponsible they actually are.

I completely agree with this. You can't say that two teenagers "responsibly and maturely" decided that they wanted to have a child together. It's a complete contradiction to that supposed responsibility and maturity. They most likely haven't thought everything through. College? Money? Time management? Work? Stress? It's nice to say "Oh, I can handle it. I have it all worked out," but then all of that usually goes down the drain after you realize you can never truly have everything planned when it comes to children.

I just turned 19 and I've never had a kid or anything, but hearing from my parents and other people who've had children, the consensus is usually that you can never be truly prepared.

I've only ever met one person who was happy with her teenage pregnancy, but she was already 18. And although some people may not think so, a year or two can make a huge difference.

[Pyowaa]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

I completely agree with this. You can't say that two teenagers "responsibly and maturely" decided that they wanted to have a child together. It's a complete contradiction to that supposed responsibility and maturity. They most likely haven't thought everything through. College? Money? Time management? Work? Stress? It's nice to say "Oh, I can handle it. I have it all worked out," but then all of that usually goes down the drain after you realize you can never truly have everything planned when it comes to children.

I just turned 19 and I've never had a kid or anything, but hearing from my parents and other people who've had children, the consensus is usually that you can never be truly prepared.

I've only ever met one person who was happy with her teenage pregnancy, but she was already 18. And although some people may not think so, a year or two can make a huge difference.

I agree with you on this 1-2 years can make a difference on your mind, I think most girls get pregnant at such ages is because there man says if you don't have sex with me that means you don't love me then oops! (at least that is how it happen to all the girls that I know.) My bf has a baby, but for complete differences, his friend got pregnant when she was 18, she had twins and she ended up dying during the birth, so the parents gave to him and basically gave him the kids. He is only 16 by the way, I think of it comes to something happening like that it is understandable. Also, for those that say girls should not take birth control our just weird, I think if anything teenage girls should take birth control more NOW then like ever, that or it is just me. If you are a guy, and you don't have a condom on you in the first place that is just dumb. I am 19, and I for one would never let a guy put a penis in me without a condom.

[WishMaster3K]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

Where is the "Raw sex is one of the best things ever" option?
______________________________

...a condom? I couldn't imagine how it must feel.

They suck.

[Ziero]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

I agree with you on this 1-2 years can make a difference on your mind, I think most girls get pregnant at such ages is because there man says if you don't have sex with me that means you don't love me then oops! (at least that is how it happen to all the girls that I know.) My bf has a baby, but for complete differences, his friend got pregnant when she was 18, she had twins and she ended up dying during the birth, so the parents gave to him and basically gave him the kids. He is only 16 by the way, I think of it comes to something happening like that it is understandable. Also, for those that say girls should not take birth control our just weird, I think if anything teenage girls should take birth control more NOW then like ever, that or it is just me. If you are a guy, and you don't have a condom on you in the first place that is just dumb. I am 19, and I for one would never let a guy put a penis in me without a condom.

Honestly, I don't think teenage girls should be on birth control because it could affect their bodies in the long run, messing with hormones at that age is a dangerous thing as the body is still growing and developing. However I'll also say that it's both the responsibility of the guy and the girl to have some sort of protection. While yea, the guy should be the one buying his own protection, if a girl is sexually active then she should be able to get her own form of protection as well. Because more often then not, the guy won't do it and if she has her own supply then "oops I forgot" just won't cut it.

And I'm saying this as a guy who doesn't really like using condoms, there is no reason to do it without protection. All it takes is one time to change everything.

Also, I can't think of one good reason why two kids should have or want to have a baby. There's so many other things you should be working towards at that age. Get an education, a career (not just a job) and a comfortable, stable home of your own (i.e. not your parents house). It's one thing to have one due to unforseen circumstances or a bad decision, but to consciously attempt to have a child at that age is bringing a life into this world for all the wrong reasons.

[Ameroth]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

No I won't judge anyone or tell them they're wrong. It's your life, live it how you want. If that means having kids at 16 or 17, go for it. I won't sit here and try to argue a point that it's good, bad, you're too young, whatever. As for something like this that doesn't directly affect me, I don't worry too much.

Personally, I feel bad for anyone that has kids. evr.

Honestly, I don't think teenage girls should be on birth control because it could affect their bodies in the long run, messing with hormones at that age is a dangerous thing as the body is still growing and developing.

Some young women need the hormones from BC pills to regulate their own. Not all BC pills indicate sexuality.

[Omniblast]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

The government should take the baby away and raise it to be a super soldier.
We need more super soldiers.

Teenage Pregnancy ftw.

[Pyowaa]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

Personally, I feel bad for anyone that has kids. evr.

If that is the case you would not be alive at the moment...

[Mandarain]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

What if the mom is 19 and out of high school and engaged? And she also had a problem that only gave her a couple years to have children and all she ever wanted was to be a mom?

I believe that some people are ready to have kids when they're in their teens... But most teenage parents don't want or deserve children....

[Pyowaa]

Re: What are your views on teen pregnancy?

What if the mom is 19 and out of high school and engaged? And she also had a problem that only gave her a couple years to have children and all she ever wanted was to be a mom?

I believe that some people are ready to have kids when they're in their teens... But most teenage parents don't want or deserve children....

I think some circumstances are valid, like your mom for instants if all she wanted was children and for some reason when she got older she couldn't have children, Then that is understandable, but yes most teenage parents don't deserve children, or hell even know how to take care of them.