Abortion Blog: Teen Moms

Yes, teen moms do have grim prospects, when faced with the responsibility of carrying, giving birth to, and raising a healthy child. However, this blanket statement can not be applied in all situations, as some teen moms are able to be responsible parents, even at a young age. For the most part, teen pregnancies have large-scale ramifications, because to place such a responsibility for another human life on a teenager who has not yet completed school and who has not fully matured yet, is to put the baby's life at risk.

One point of responsibility that a teen mom likely drops, when she has to deal with raising a child is discontinuing her high school education. Although it is in the child's best interest for the mother to assume the role of a "stay at home mom", so as to provide the necessary nurturing for her child, a lack of sufficient education inhibits the mother from being able to secure employment. This domino effect will continue to have an impact on the mom; the lack of a job, and therefore income, will make it harder for the mother to adequately provide for her child and his/her needs as a dependent human being. To put even more responsibility on the mother just heightens her stress level, which can be detrimental to a child's gradual development.

Another point of interest as related to teen moms deals with the possibility of the mother not receiving adequate prenatal care. It is important to realize that every situation would vary, and therefore, not all teen moms should be generalized under the heading of "not receiving adequate prenatal care". A teen mom who lacks the support from family members, or who is now homeless because her family has kicked her out, will receive inadequate prenatal care, and will ultimately be putting the little human life inside of her in danger. A lack of appropriate care may cause health problems, or may compromise the development of the baby. However, a teen mom who has a financially supportive family who is on her side (even though she is now pregnant) will be willing to provide the teen with the necessary prenatal care, as they can afford it, and desire to fully support their daughter through the pregnancy.

Additionally, the idea arises that a teen mom would have to rely in public assistance to raise a child. Again, this depends on the situation, and whether or not the parents are fully supportive of their daughter having a baby. If a teen mom lacks support from her parents, and must take on this responsibility by herself, the mom will have to rely on public assistance to raise her child, which may also compromise the development of the child, as the mother does not have a solid foundation with which to learn about how to care for another human life. On the other hand, a supportive family removes the necessity for a teen mom to rely on public assistance, which lessens (if just a little) the responsibility a teen mom has, when raising a child. The most important thing a teen mom needs to learn is how to deal with this new set of responsibilities, and with the lack of positive, helpful role models that may come as a result of relying on public service, a mother is more likely to fall short of success when trying to raise her child.

Also, health problems may compromise the life of a teen mom or her child. A teen who is not responsible during pregnancy and drinks alcohol risks the child being born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Additionally, if she is relying solely on public assistance, or does not receive the appropriate medical checkups and monitoring, the teen puts her own life, as well as her baby's life, at risk. However, with the support of family, a teen mom will be able to have the necessary checkups and will be a healthy mom giving birth to a healthy baby, even if she is very young, for a mother.

Additionally, the idea of relationships and divorce comes into play with teen moms. Usually with teen moms, the father, once he has hears of the pregnancy, will want nothing to do with the girl. A teen mom does, understandably, struggle with sustaining a lasting relationship, as she is faced with the important responsibility of raising her child. This idea may also have ramifications in later life for the teen; if a teen mom is married, the added responsibility of a child may strain the relationship to the point that a divorce will break up the family.

Teen moms have grim prospects, when it comes to accepting full responsibility of being a parent who can successfully nurture their child. At such an age, teens have not fully completed high school, which, when the prospect of a baby is added, puts an inordinate amount of stress on the mom. Many teens who have become pregnant are kicked out of their homes, and are left to their own devices, as to receiving the care necessary to having a successful pregnancy, and actually raising the child as a responsible nurturing parent. I fully agree that for pregnant teens, the idea of each being a successful mom, and handling the responsibility, is grim. However, it seems that the society is now trying to reach out to these teen moms, as teen pregnancy seems to be a growing entity of our secular culture. With online high schools, a mom can now receive her GED, while caring for her child at home. Also, non-profit organizations like the Atlantic Street Center reach out to teens, specifically through their Teens As Parents Program, where they provide care, counseling and support to pregnant teens and teen moms.

Teen pregnancy is a major topic to grapple with in our society today. As Christians, we need to remember that our bodies are temples of the holy spirit, and we must respect what God has created (us!). Therefore, we embrace these teen moms with God's love, and teach them that they do have an innate purpose given by God, and that He loves each and every one of us, because we are His creation.