Teen Pregnancies: Then and Now
“I got pregnant twice in high school,” Emily Fahner, teen mother, explained. “I have two little girls. They have different dads. My oldest’s dad doesn't see her. My youngest’s dad sees her every other week.”
Each year, approximately 750,000 teenagers become pregnant, and Fahner, teen mom, has twice fit that statistic. With both pregnancies, Fahner feared her parents’ reactions, her image among her peers, and the medical repercussions.
“I missed my period with both, took just one test each, and they were positive. I was shocked with both, and very worried about what would happen,” she disclosed.
The worry with which Fahner was met is common among teen moms, but had her pregnancy occurred in the 20th century, her situation would have been more frightening. Tara Bailey, the daughter of a young mother, described the way society has changed in dealing with adolescent pregnancies.
“I just read an article that Lander University in Greenwood is allowing young mothers to bring their babies to class… this makes education more accessible… I think people are more supportive of young mothers because it’s just for the welfare of everyone, especially the child… I’m glad to see that kind of progress,” she commented. Bailey illustrated that motherhood and the pursuit of education are often difficult to manage when coupled, but in recent years, strides have been made to cater to the needs of teen moms. For example, schools like those in Prince George’s County now offer daycare on campus to curb the high dropout rates with teen mothers (with only 40% finishing high school and less than 2% finishing college by the time they reach their 30’s). By having access to a safe place for their children to stay, teen moms are enabled to pursue their education without having to sacrifice their child’s safety and care. However, juggling motherhood and student life is only one of the hurdles teen moms must overcome.
“Half of my peers were excited and the other half were very rude and disrespectful towards me,” Fahner recalled. Bailey concurred with the sentiment, noting the quiet nature of teen pregnancies, especially in years past. Most adoptions, including hers, were closed and through the state. People weren’t as willing to discuss teenaged motherhood; however, Bailey feels that teen moms should not be ostracized as support for the mother ultimately benefits the child.
“I don’t believe someone who has a child as a young person should be marginalized in any way. I believe that person needs a lot of support from her community,” Bailey explained.
Today, teen moms are provided more options in regard to their pregnancies than in years past; they may choose an open adoption, a closed adoption, abortion, or to keep the child. Bailey shared her thoughts, explaining, “I just think those choices are not ‘one size fits all.’ I believe that some people choose to put their babies up for adoption, other choose to raise the child, and those are deeply personal choices that should be made by the mother and those in her life who she trusts the most.”
Fahner offered insight from her experience, explaining that she only considered keeping her daughters. Now, one of her daughter’s fathers visits regularly (while the other one does not).
Studies have indicated that sex education and access to contraception decrease teen pregnancy rates, but should a loved one become pregnant as an adolescent, she will find that in 2016 there are many options for her, and the discussion is now more open.
“I got pregnant twice in high school,” Emily Fahner, teen mother, explained. “I have two little girls. They have different dads. My oldest’s dad doesn't see her. My youngest’s dad sees her every other week.”
Each year, approximately 750,000 teenagers become pregnant, and Fahner, teen mom, has twice fit that statistic. With both pregnancies, Fahner feared her parents’ reactions, her image among her peers, and the medical repercussions.
“I missed my period with both, took just one test each, and they were positive. I was shocked with both, and very worried about what would happen,” she disclosed.
The worry with which Fahner was met is common among teen moms, but had her pregnancy occurred in the 20th century, her situation would have been more frightening. Tara Bailey, the daughter of a young mother, described the way society has changed in dealing with adolescent pregnancies.
“I just read an article that Lander University in Greenwood is allowing young mothers to bring their babies to class… this makes education more accessible… I think people are more supportive of young mothers because it’s just for the welfare of everyone, especially the child… I’m glad to see that kind of progress,” she commented. Bailey illustrated that motherhood and the pursuit of education are often difficult to manage when coupled, but in recent years, strides have been made to cater to the needs of teen moms. For example, schools like those in Prince George’s County now offer daycare on campus to curb the high dropout rates with teen mothers (with only 40% finishing high school and less than 2% finishing college by the time they reach their 30’s). By having access to a safe place for their children to stay, teen moms are enabled to pursue their education without having to sacrifice their child’s safety and care. However, juggling motherhood and student life is only one of the hurdles teen moms must overcome.
“Half of my peers were excited and the other half were very rude and disrespectful towards me,” Fahner recalled. Bailey concurred with the sentiment, noting the quiet nature of teen pregnancies, especially in years past. Most adoptions, including hers, were closed and through the state. People weren’t as willing to discuss teenaged motherhood; however, Bailey feels that teen moms should not be ostracized as support for the mother ultimately benefits the child.
“I don’t believe someone who has a child as a young person should be marginalized in any way. I believe that person needs a lot of support from her community,” Bailey explained.
Today, teen moms are provided more options in regard to their pregnancies than in years past; they may choose an open adoption, a closed adoption, abortion, or to keep the child. Bailey shared her thoughts, explaining, “I just think those choices are not ‘one size fits all.’ I believe that some people choose to put their babies up for adoption, other choose to raise the child, and those are deeply personal choices that should be made by the mother and those in her life who she trusts the most.”
Fahner offered insight from her experience, explaining that she only considered keeping her daughters. Now, one of her daughter’s fathers visits regularly (while the other one does not).
Studies have indicated that sex education and access to contraception decrease teen pregnancy rates, but should a loved one become pregnant as an adolescent, she will find that in 2016 there are many options for her, and the discussion is now more open.