Young motherhood

As a general rule, women under age 20 with children are looked down upon, and usually unfit mothers. Or at least That's what television apparently wants you to think.

For example, America's next top model. They had this episode where the girls posed as innocent girls surrounded by "bad" girls. Something about how girls are growing up too fast. Anyway, one of the girls was posing as a pregnant girl. She had a brown bagged bottle she was drinking from. Apparently if you're a pregnant teen, you're clearly drinking and harming your baby. You clearly don't give a crap.

All I know is that, as a pregnant 18 year old watching this, I was completely enraged. Personally, I was taking vitamins, quit smoking, eating healthier, trying to move around more, (as much as morning sickness would let me) and so on. Clearly I was doing something to harm my baby though, because that's what pregnant girls do. Thanks Tyra. I haven't watched the show since, or her stupid talk show.

Well, I don't drink. I don't smoke, I don't harm my child. I'm working hard to prepare for my new arrival. We're not all the same. Sure there are some that harm there baby, and really just don't care. But frankly, age doesn't determine whether you're like this or not. They're are plenty of older mothers that are just as immature and irresponsible. Anyone of any age can be a good or bad mother.

I believe some young mothers should recieve awards.
Let's take my friend for example, we'll call her Jill. Jill had a baby when she was 16. Jill works 6 days a week. She has no partner to provide additional income. She hasn't bought a thing for herself besides basics (shampoo, etc) in months.

Another example. I was in the office of the college I attend, when I saw this young woman rush in. She needed to finalize classes or something and take some test. The receptionist was trying to help her set up an appointment. She gave her many various time slots, her responses were "no, I'm working," or "no, I can't get a sitter for then," but mostly "I'm working" she then preceeded to tell the receptionist she worked three, (yes three) jobs. She really needed to take the test right away. How in the world does this girl juggle three jobs, school, and a child? Oh my word, that woman deserves a metal.

I'm sure women of any age can experience these difficulties, but that's just my point, age does not make you a bad mother. It has nothing to do with your mothering skills.

Next time you see a young mom, or pregnant teen, think about what it must be like to be them. How would it feel for you to have a baby while you were in high school? Or before you were finished with college? Or while you were just trying to live life as a young person?

We're not bad people, we work hard and we'd do anything for our babies. We're terrified of motherhood, just like every new mother. Many of us are trying to figure out how to juggle all sorts of things in our lives. Things we've never had to take so seriously before.

Most of us didn't mean to get pregnant, but we did, and now we're trying to be responsible and choose the appropriate course of action. Give us a break, and quit judging us Tyra.