Alright, so I know we've all seen it, girls who argue that because of the fact they've had a kid means they're more responsible, and more mature because they have to take care of a child. While having a kid takes more responsibility, it's just as responsible to NOT have a kid, and make it through life without having that added responsibility. I remember the days where people got married, THEN pregnant. Just a little rant I thought I would share.

On the whole, I agree with you. Teenage pregnancy is a terrible idea, especially in the USA, given how financial adulthood is actually coming LATER and LATER because of the changing dynamics of the national (and international) economy. Or, put another way, young folks can't catch a fucking break now and most of 'em have to live with mommy and daddy 'til they're 26. And against that backdrop, you want to have a kid at 16? Have it your way...

It seems that in many (but not all) cases, the teenage mothers end up having to rely on social welfare to get by financially. I figure that if our tax dollars have to pay for this, I may as well sit back and enjoy it in the only way I can.

I’m also in general agreement. In my opinion it’s not a particularly good idea and certainly not in this day and age. Whilst there are some teenagers who want children (for whatever reason), I would hazard a guess to say the majority of teenage pregnancies are completely unplanned. At that age, you’re still finding out who you are and where you want to go with life. A lot of circumstances change when you’re in your twenties whether you plan them or not. As you progress through your twenties I feel you’re becoming more mature/sensible enough to make big decisions which can change the course of your life.

I have a good example. At high school, I knew a quiet and slightly shy girl. She was very pretty with long black hair and didn’t seem particularly interested in boys. She was also pretty bright - getting decent marks in many subjects. She must have been around fifteen or fifteen and a half and her nature virtually changed overnight. She become a bit moody with the teachers, always getting into trouble (including detentions), very chatty and mildly rebellious. She didn’t want to listen to reason from those twice her age and sadly she didn’t go back to her old self. Anyway, I found out that she become pregnant shortly after leaving school and was a mother at the age of 17.

It’s always strange when I come across any of her Facebook status updates. We’re both 28 and I always feel ‘old’ when I remember that she has an 11 year old daughter. No offence directly aimed at her of course, but it’s mildly disturbing to me! In the five years or so she’s been a Facebook friend, she’s on her second ‘boyfriend’ and from what I understand the person she’s with now is her third. This is three boyfriends/partners after the father of the child, by the way. She also lives in council housing which energy bills will be subsidsed.

Is that being responsible?

I certainly don’t want to brand them all with the same brush and not just because I personally find teenage pregnancy attractive. Everyone is different of course and everyone’s circumstances have to be considered, but unfortunately I hear more of these negative cases than I do of positive ones when it comes to notably young parents.

(December 2, 2013, 7:20 pm)Akhenaten On the whole, I agree with you. Teenage pregnancy is a terrible idea, especially in the USA, given how financial adulthood is actually coming LATER and LATER because of the changing dynamics of the national (and international) economy. Or, put another way, young folks can't catch a fucking break now and most of 'em have to live with mommy and daddy 'til they're 26. And against that backdrop, you want to have a kid at 16? Have it your way...

It seems that in many (but not all) cases, the teenage mothers end up having to rely on social welfare to get by financially. I figure that if our tax dollars have to pay for this, I may as well sit back and enjoy it in the only way I can.

Agreed sir.