Should young girls have babies?
By Sheepie
@Sheepie (3112)
United States
December 12, 2008 3:29pm CST
I don't think anyone could deny the growing number of pregnancies there have been in teenagers in the past few years, at least if you are in the United States of America. Very young girls, even 12 year olds.
What I'm asking is, do you think it's reasonable that they get abortions? Or should they keep the baby? Do you think a girl that age should even be a parent? People think that having the family helping out will make a difference, and it does, but it's just not the same. Having a child is a commitment someone makes for 18 years, and for life.
You have to always put your child first. I don't think a young girl can understand it. Raising a child is not a learning process, it's leaving your mark on the earth in the best way you can by creating the best person you can. The child needs to learn, not the parent.
If the teenager wishes to chose the very difficult decision of adopting, at least that might be better, that is, if the child doesn't end up being abused in a foster home or something that could be prevented. I don't know. Do you think it's better off that younger girls just get abortions?
4 people like this
22 responses
@grazcut (52)
• Malta
12 Dec 08
i'm a 19year old i have a baby of 7mnths.i'm alone cause i left my bf he kicked me were ever he would like.i'm very proud of my baby.when he knew that i was pregnant he didnt want her and he told me to make an abortion.i tghought it wasnt good so i choose to grow her alone.and i'm proud of my decision when i think that there are people who can't have babies why should we who can have babies do an abortion even if we are young.there is still a life growing up.
1 person likes this
@Sheepie (3112)
• United States
12 Dec 08
Well, at least you're over 18, so you're pretty much older, and legally an adult, but still very young. If you can make it work, do your best. But I don't think most people are mature enough for it, especially when they are even younger than that.
1 person likes this
@Polly289 (269)
• New Zealand
13 Dec 08
Good on you for making the decision to stand alone with your child. That scumbag didn't deserve you or your child anyway and I certainly hope he gets what's coming to him. Believe you me, it will happen.
I was lucky enough to have my family behind me, it certainly helps. You keep going. My eldest son is now 31 and I love him as much now as I did when he was born. It was a struggle sometimes but "je ne regrette rien" (I will never regret) having had him.
YOU GO GIRL!!!!!
@saichandtalluri (1486)
• India
13 Dec 08
i think Young girls have no body power is give birth to a baby so they can prefer abortions. even they give birth to a baby i don't know how far thay can take care of them it's really pity to say girls of 12 have babies at least they have to wait for 20 years for their boby to support birth of another baby
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
13 Dec 08
Personally I think it is a mistake for young girls to become mothers. It seems to be a trend in the USA these days and a bit of a status symbol. I don't know why because in most developped countries and in Europe this is frowned upon. There are all kinds of methods of birth control available. Abortion should not be used as a method of birth contol. You make some valid points in your post and I commend you for being wise beyong your age. The best solution for this problem is not abstinence, it does not work for most people, but responsible behavour in relationships. It is not only the burden for caring for a child, but a teen mother cuts short her own possibilities in life, for a carrier, a good education a good job. These days every woman must possess or acquire skills that will enable her to make a living, independent of a male companion. Mariages break up, relationshis dissolve and it usually the women who look after the kids and if they have no trade, or skills that enable them to make a decent living they will perpetuate the cycle of poverty and welfare.
@spiderlizard22 (3444)
• United States
13 Dec 08
Only if they don't mind taking care of the child. They can take care of the baby, get abortions or give the baby up for adoption.
@yqyandcyq (8)
• China
13 Dec 08
When I see what you said, I feel a little suprised.It's impossible if a girl get abortions in China.
In my opinion, when people is at an age of 12, she or he isn't an adult. They don't know how to be responsible for the result.
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
13 Dec 08
As I have said before, and I will say it again, no woman under the age of 21 should be a mom, they just aren't ready for it. They might be ready physically, but emotionally and financially, they are not ready at all. People go bankrupt raising kids these days.
@laglen (19759)
• United States
13 Dec 08
I think they should give the child up for adoption. 12 year olds having babies, this makes me sick to my stomach. Or how about these girls marry the boys that knocked her up? There needs to be consequences.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
13 Dec 08
Years ago people who became young parents were more prepared because as children they were disciplined more and even took care of their younger siblings while their parents were at work. Now, I am not sure whether a young girl would be ready, but even so I think that it would be a good learning experience with great discipline but not without an allowance of social time with friends without baby in tow. You should not punish the mother of the child for having the baby, but people can still teach their children to be a parent to the child they created. I don't believe in abortion unless it is really needed. An unexpected pregnancy is not a reason nor is finances in my own opinion. The economy is different but that does not mean the way of making money has changed, saving is a way of making money and if one can discipline themselves to save the utmost amount, then one can become financially prepared.
Family's make a difference, there's always the chance of mental scarring of either the young mother or the child, but with a lot of TLC and faith one can go along way.
@prinzess1515 (1341)
• United States
13 Dec 08
Where are these newborn babies that are being abused in foster care?
@Zezloler (497)
• United Arab Emirates
13 Dec 08
I think that young age pregnancies should definitely be discouraged, without any exception (that I can think of right now =P). Girls that are in childhood simply have more important things to focus on than getting pregnant and don't think on the same level as adult women do. It's just plan logic that they don't have the responsibility or the maturity to take care of a child or to make their own decisions concerning issues such as raising a child.
I think that younger girls should get abortions. If pregnancy occurs by accident, they'll probably learn from their mistakes if the child is born and learn more responsibility, but I think that this isn't right at such a young age. Simply the act of them getting pregnant is enough, in my opinion, for them to realize the consequences of their actions. Aborting a child may be considered unethical, but in this case, I think it's better for both the girl and the child that is to be born.
@LCHBheart (167)
• Singapore
13 Dec 08
When young children have children, their health could be in danger. The pregnancy could kill them. If their lives are at stake, they will need to get the abortion. I feel that teenagers should not have kids as they are incapable of taking care of themselves and are at the age where the world revolves around them, so it is very hard for them to sacrifice everything for their kids. If teenagers want to learn responsibility, start with a cat or a dog (just don't ever abandon them).
@webwowster (3)
• Australia
13 Dec 08
This is a very sensitive subject and in my opinion not a black and white one. Noone can possibly say what is right or wrong decision for every young lady that becomes pregant. There are so many factors to take into account such as; the maturity level of the girl, the situation in becoming pregnant, what she wants out of life, how supportive her family is and most importantly what is the right choice for that individual girl. Noone except the girl has to live with the decision to terminate the pregnancy, and this decision will be one that will stay with her forever, just as much as the decision to go through with the pregnancy would. It would be a huge thing for a 12 year old girl to have a baby and you would probably be right in saying that most would not be ready for parenthood, but on the other hand it would be a huge deal for a young 12 year old to have to deal with the everlasting consequences that ending a pregnancy would cause. For many middle age women the choice to terminate is one that they find extreemly difficult to live with, so could you imagine expecting a 12 year old to have to go through that kind of grief and possibly guilt at such a young age. It would never be case of "It's over now, everything can go back to normal". The experience would change the young girl and set the precident for the rest of her life. All this having being said I want to say that i am not ProLife, but I am ProChoice and beleive that on an issue such as this only the girl with the right kind of counselling could possibly make the decision as to what is right for her. We all have basic human rights and one of the most important is to never be forced against our will, because the decisions we make, stay with us forever.
@CRSunrise (2981)
• United States
13 Dec 08
I think that girls should not be having babies until they're well out of high school. Before they turn 18, I believe that most girls are not ready, emotionally or mentally. Raising a child can be a very difficult concept. It's not like a toy doll that you can throw in the closet when you're done playing with it.
I'm sure that if I would have become pregnant when I was still in school, my parents would have helped me when they could, but I would be the soul provider for that child. I can't even pull that on her now when I don't want to do something and I'm 28 years old. lol
@Shar19 (8231)
• United States
12 Dec 08
A child of that age is way too young to even know what to do in that situation. I think it's up to the parents to basically take over and discuss the options for the child. I'm not sure what would be best. I just know that a 12 year old is not mature enough to have a baby emotionally or physically.
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
12 Dec 08
Hi Sheepie,
If young girls don't know how to look after their baby, they should have gone with a guy, and they should be charge, it is against the law, or take precations, I can't believe this, when I was twelve I was still playin with my toys. I don't believe abortions as they will keep doing it.
Tamara
@legend4u (1019)
• India
12 Dec 08
i too think some times young girls pregnant very early in their life and it effects there physical and mental health. i think girls can have kids may be around 20 onwards. then only they are able to manage a child.the responsibility willl be much higher than their age standards unless.
@bunchistensc510 (45)
• Brazil
12 Dec 08
I don't think that it is right that girls at this age become pregnant. These girls will have a huge mental issue, because they are not mature enough to take care of a baby! Is not right! As isn't right that they have to abort them. First because this baby can belong to you, but not his life or soul. Second because they have to deal with the consequences! I know that this baby wouln't have the best life, but it will be better kill him? NO!! I have doubts about the case of the girl becomes pregnant by rape..
@Polly289 (269)
• New Zealand
13 Dec 08
Have you any idea the enormity of the question you pose? Am extremely difficult question to be sure. There is the whole religious thing (I'm not religious) and this could bring all the sacriligious, self-righteous zealots out of the woodwork to be sure.
Anyway, in answer to your question the answer is "no". Not because it goes against the laws of God but, simply put, these children having children are just that "children". I do not believe in abortion but, having said that, it is a peraonal choice. For example, if the girl was raped the choice was taken out of her hands therefore it is up to her and/or her parents to decide.
I was a young mother (17) and I don't regret a minute of it. I wasn't experienced in the ways of the world and didn't have any experience at being a mother. I didn't actually mature until I'd had my third child at 27 and then, sometimes, I wander whether I've matured. I have gained a heap of experience in parenting and am still learning