Monday, January 9, 2012

Teen Pregnancy Controversy

As you may very well know many teens today are "sexually active." What you don't know is how many of those "sexually active" teens there are. Many of the teen pregnancies that you see are the result of either inexperience or irresponsibility. Teens are going to have sex, it is a well known fact. Parents and guardians cannot possibly be with their child every single second of  every single day every single month of every single year until they are an adult and moving out to prevent it from happening.



So here is my question to you: "Should a teen be allowed to raise their child that may be a result of their irresponsibility or inexperience?" Consider the facts that raising this child could have a severe negative effect on their entire future, could hinder or destroy their chance at future education, and could make it very difficult for them to stand on their own two feet in life. Also consider that there are adoption agencies that the teen could give the child to so that the child could have a chance at a good life, being raised by adults who are unable to physically have children of their own but very desperately want a child and would be good parents. Consider how much better off the child might be if he or she was raised by financially stable, responsible, and loving adults who love them unconditionally while that teen who made a mistake now has a chance to get their education and life back on track to becoming a productive adult in society.




Tough stuff to think about isn't it?  I want to thank today's blog author. She wishes to remain anonymous, and did a great job on this!

48 comments:

Zabinski said...

A topic such as this also brings up the option of abortion. Personally I am 'ProChoice' and if a woman wishes to either have a child or not is her own choice. If a child is had though the mother should have the right to make the choice to raise her daughter or not. Now my opinion is completely flexible depending on the situation

Littlefield said...

Teens should not be "Sexually Active," for in my opinion pregnant teens are a disgrace to society. Pregnant teens should be disgraced upon. Even worse a teen who has a baby should not bring it to school and be proud of it. 1) You are proud to go against the bible and have sex before marriage. 2) You show that you are irresponsible and can not control your hormones. 3) You have ruined your life and put yourself in a position where you must make a decision of taking care of your baby, or taking care of your future. If someone is going to have pre-marriage sex then you should understand the consequences and know that you will be the one to suffer.

Jasmine said...

I think that teen pregnacy has become almost an "epidemic" in modern-day society. It's not very uncommon to see pregnant teenagers in school system nowadays, even in the Isle of Wight school district. I think that teens should be allowed to keep their child, even if it was a result of their unwise choices and decisions.

Caleb Dundlow said...

I don't think teenagers should be having sex because. It leads to young children getting pregnant and ends up raising a baby. An if u do have sex at least have the since to use protection!.

Anonymous said...

This is a hard quesrtion for some people, it depends on how the parent feels toward their child. If the parent don`t care about how their child is raised then they should give their child to an adoption agency. If the parent has a strong relationship and feels like they need to be their for their child, if they think they can raise their child the way they want the child to be then they should do it.
~Blake Walker~

Chris said...

I think if u make the mistake and have a kid before your out of school you should take the responsibility and take care of your kid. This wouldn't happen if you were smart enough and think of the outcome. But its your choice to give up your child but realize what that child's life is going to be like when they realize they real mom gave them up because they made a stupid dission when they were young.

Marc Cowling said...

I believe that it is a choice for each and every teen and their significant other. it is a personal decision in my eyes. But as for being a pregnant "teen" that is just from stupidity and ignorance. There are plenty of preventive measures that are for sale. Use them.

Allyssa said...

A teen should be able to keep their child and also have the option to give it up for adoption. While a child may have a difficult life being raised by a teen parent, they may also have a hard life not knowing who their real parents are. But I don't think that a teens should give up their baby just because they don't want it. They should have to live with their mistake and the consequences.

Anonymous said...

Manuel Said ...

Pregnacy is beautiful in all of it's forms but i belive you should wait until you are able to support yourself. But if you are faced with the possibility of an abortion I think you should give the baby a chance like you were given

Vonquisha Turner said...

I think that a teen should be allowed to raise their child that may be a result or irrsponsibility. But that is if they want to raise their child, if they don't then they should take it up with th adoption agencies. One reason is because they're people in the world that wants a baby and is responsible. Another is to get their education and life back.

Anonymous said...

Danielle E Said.....
I think that even if a teen happens to get pregnant due to being irresponsible or inexperience they should be able to raise their child if they want to.I say that because if they are going to take care of their child or want to try nobody should take their child away.Cant speak for anyone else but I know I would want to take care of my child instead of put the child up for adoption.

Austin McNew said...

I think sex under 18 isn't right because most people are inexperience and don't know what they are doing. Which is a big reason for the teen pregnancies. And if someone under 18 really does have sex they should at least use protection, or actually use their brain and think about it and not their body to think.

Hacker said...

i think if they take the chance to get pregnant. they should have to rise the child. and people consider abortion murder well if that's murder is using a condom kidnapping?

Marissa Gautier said...

I believe that a women should have a choice. If she wishes to keep her baby that is her choice, it may or may not be a good choice. It would be hard but to some people adoption is the right choice. I personally am against abortion because you're killing an innocent human being. Worse than that your killing a baby.

Trey said...

I really dont like this topic. I really think babies are gods gift.

Anonymous said...

I think teens should not be "sexually active", for many different reasons. "Most" teens cannot control their actions are “irresponsible" and don’t know how to control their actions. When you are a teen you shouldn’t be "sexually active. Teens are still considered "kids" and "kids" shouldn’t be having Kids! Other people may have different options but mine will stay the same Teens not need to be having kids!!


~Ashley Renee' Rife~

-Mr. Downings fav. student-

Jeamis Britt said...

Okay so , personally I think that teens should not be having "sex" but they are! Nobody can stop it. If the girl is irresponsible and makes the mistake of getting preganant I think she should have the choice of wether she wants to raise her child or not. Yes there are other options, but sometimes those other options aren't always the best. Yes, they pretty much end their childhood by getting preganant but its their life and nobody has the right to judge them for their mistake. Every child is a gift from God and the parent should cherish that gift. Nobody in this world is perfect. So, if a teen girl is sexually active and gets preganant it should be her decision what she wants to do. As long as she understands her mistake. Thats just my opinion !

Sierra F said...

I personally do not think that a teenager should be raising a baby that was the result of their irresponsibility or inexperience. I think that even though the teenager made a mistake and ended up pregnant she should make the responsible choice and put the baby up for adoption. There are many couples in the world who cannot conceive on their own due to either medical problems or infertility & they are desperate to have a baby to raise and love in their family. However if the teenage mother does happen to keep her baby then she needs to provide for that baby and not be an irresponsible and abusive mother. She needs to take care of that baby, love that baby, and not let her social life come before that baby.

Ryan said...

Teenagers have been having sex since the beginning of time. In fact, about two or three hundred years ago, it was normal for a 16 year old girl to be pregnant and married. Think of the 60's and 70's-sex, drugs, and rock & roll. So, teen pregnancy is not quite as alien as we try to make it. It is, however, glorified a lot more in media. Nothing will ever stop people from having sex. Although, pregnancy should be avoided. Use birth control properly and be smart.

Jessica Bryant said...

I think whether or not the teen should be able to keep the child should be determined on the relationship of the parents, the environment the child is being raised in, and the financial support of the child. All of these things should be automatically evaluated by a child specialist if the child is under a certain age in order to ensure a healthy life for the child. Also I think maybe condoms should be more easily obtainable and distributed so that there will be protection for those who are sexually active. Many teens may me scared or embarassed to buy condoms at that age so they therefore just decide to go without. Some may think this will just promote more teens to have sex, yet many are going to do it whether they have protection or not. Birth control should also be a requirement for all teens until the age of 18 unless there is a medical risk involved.

ALEX said...

Haha why shouldn't they raise the kid? Are y'all saying we should give each teen mom the easy way out? If they messing around apparently their old enough to raise a kid.

T.J. said...

I think teen girls can raise there child how they want to long as they treat the child like they want to be treated because it ain't cool how some people do there kids. i feel if u 18 u can do whatever u wanna do have sex stay out all night do ya feel me

Danielle said...

Well this brings up my point that if teens are going to be "sexually active" that they need to be careful and think ahead. This also means that the child of the pregnant teen can be smart and learn from there mothers mistake or accident. Or the child of the peg. teen could end up just like their mother.

Anonymous said...

I think it is the decision of the two teens who are having the child to decide weather or not they want to keep the child or give it up for adoption. I personally do not believe in giving up your child. If i made the mistake of having a child before i was ready i would still take care of the child and give it the best home i could possibly give it. I would not want another family raising my child i would want to take care of it myself. said by josh

Anonymous said...

To me it is up to the people who are having the baby. It was there decision to have sex and it should be there decision to wither raise the baby or not. Even though the choice they make could mess there lives up its their decision.

Chase Gore

Quinton Walters said...

I think toddlers are a big responsibility to parents especially to "teen" parents. I think females do not look good in society.

Quinton Walters said...

I think toddlers are a big responsibility to parents especially to "teen" parents. I think teen females do not look good in society when pregnant.

Anonymous said...

I think that if a teen gets pregnant, they should be allowed to raise their child. Yeah, they are still teenagers, but not every teenager is "irresponsible." They shouldn't have be having sex, but some teens find necessary to do.(;

~Morgan McKinney~

Robbie Jones said...

Even though teen pregnancy is getting higher, it's not a disgrace. Every child is a gift, not a punishment. i think every mom should have the chance to be a parent, teen or not.

Anonymous said...

Teenaged sex is definitely frowned upon by a lot of people. I think it's one thing to have unprotected sex, and another thing to have it safe. Either way, you can't necessarily stop teens from having sex. I have no personal opinion on it though; people do what they do and they either have a reason for it or they don't. I do, however, encourage it to be protected. It's rather simple.


Erin Holtz

Anonymous said...

I think the parents should have a chance at keeping the child. They should prove that they honestly want the child and they will do anything for the child. If they can't handle their life with the child then they should place their child in an adoption agency so he can find a better life.

Megan

Lindsey Ball said...

This is a very tough topic. I'm not going to lie and say that I think sex before marriage is okay. It says time after time after time in the bible to save sex for marriage. I don't agree with abortion, in any instant. If you make the choice to give away that part of you then it is not your right to try to get out of the consequences. For the question of whether she should be able to raise it or not, I think that varies on the situation. If she is very young and cannot support her baby, the obviously her parents shouldn't be forced into a situation where they will be paying, literally, for their child’s mistake. It depends on the situation, but if we are honest with ourselves, this issue could easily be avoided.

Kelsey Searcy said...

I personally believe that if a girl chooses to have sex and ends up pregnant, I think the teen should be responsible for the baby. Not raise the baby by herself, but with help from family and close friends, and learn from what and what not to do. If she chooses to have sex and become pregnant, than obviously she'll be in a for a huge responsibility. Hopefully she would be a little smarter than that. But some choose not to care and end up pregnant anyway. But society should never "put them down" about it. It may not be a smart choice, but it's definitely not any help to hurt someone over their mistake.

Jasmine M. said...

It's the mother's choice in the end, but I don't think the child should suffer because of the parents' mistakes of being irresponsible. Whether your method is abortion or adoption or even keeping it, they're all choices that will forever change your life. I don't think one's religion or views on anything should contribute to the choice of how to raise the baby. It should be based on the baby's welfare. No matter- if you're going to be sexually active you ought to be smart about it.

Jake D. said...

I dont not think teens should be having sex right now. I mean there is nothing really there to stop them. But teenage pregancies are good, as long as they can raise their own child. But if they can't I think that is irresponisable.

Caroline Steele said...

Personally, I feel that teens should wait at least untill they are sure it's the right time. Teens should not just have sex, just to be able to say they are not a virgin. Teens should also think about the consequences if the do decide to have sex.

Amanda Chappell said...

This is a tough topic to discuss. My opinion has nothing to do with how other's may feel. I think that it is never acceptable for anyone to pass judgment on somebody else's "mistake." I am torn between deciding whether teenage parents should be able to keep their baby or not. Even if they are inexperienced or irresponsible, that baby is their own flesh and blood, and they deserve the chance to be able to raise their baby, if that is what they choose. Yes, this can have consequences but it is a personal and private choice between the two that conceived the child. If I was in that situation, I would not choose to give my child up for adoption or to have an abortion. Religion does have a key role in this, as well as morals and the ideals upon someone is raised. Teenagers that are sexually active take many risks and many chances, but that is their own choice! It is not a matter of right or wrong anymore in today's society. It's just fact.

Raegan Hasty said...

Honestly teen preganancy is pitiful. It is frowned upon by many because it shows ignorance and irresponisbility. It also all depends on how the individual was raised. Most teenagers don't realize how big of a burden a baby could have on their lives. Be smart people.

anna dematteo said...

I think that many people look down on teen mothers which isn't fair. Being able to give up your future for a kid is not easy and shows responsibility for their actions. Giving the child up for adoption or abortion is the easy way out and it proves that they couldn't raise it. I personally look up to teen mothers who make the choice to keep their kid that they created. Birth is a very beautiful thing and I don't think it is right to abort a child who can not help that it was created. I am not saying that getting pregnant young is a good choice but I think if your ready enough to know the consequences of sex your mentally prepared to raise a child. Safe sex is no sex :)

Gerald P. said...

Well, I believe if a teen was to get pregnant, they should whether or not to raise the child. However, I do not think they should raise the baby. For one, being a kid yourself, how are you going to raise one? Also, there are many adults out there that are more responsible and more financially well off than a teenager. I would be more comfortable with a baby in an adult's care than in a teen's. A baby is a huge responsibility. However, a teen needs to understand the consequences of their actions. When you do something like being sexually active, you are creating many problems for yourself and other people. There is not only the problem of pregnancy, but others like STDs. These consequences of your actions not only effect you but effect others as well. You should always think about something before you do it. You don't always think before you act. But think about what your parents would say.

Chelsea Marie said...

At 17 years old, I have had more then 5 of my friends have children. My best friend all through middle school is currently pregnant. Whether or not the irresponsible teen raises the child or not, its not really anything we can control. Whether we think they should or shouldn't raise the child, we have absolutely no say. Everyone's situation is different. I have seen a 15 year old raise a baby much better than a 19 year old. It all just depends.

Leslie R said...

Everyone has their own opinion and it should be the opinion of the mother and father of the child. However, if they are unable to take care of the child due to financial troubles or mental instability then the mother should choose what's best for the child, even if that means separating the mother from the child. Personally, one of my best friends recently had a child; she made me the godmother. She doesn't plan on letting her child keep her from finishing her education and going to college. People might have to sacrifice some things from their future, but they don't have to sacrifice everything. I'm "ProChoice" as I've made evident, but it's the decision of the mother, not other's decision.

$hyanne said...

They knew what they were doing when they had sex, they knew all the possible outcomes. But I, nor anyone else for that matter, have the right to say whether someone else can raise their own baby. It concerns no one but the mother and father.

Alexandra said...

First off if teens are going to be "sexually active" they need to be careful and think ahead. I have seen my best friend end up with a baby in hand and one on the way now. She has told me over and over again to be careful and to think about what you do before you do anything and to make sure that it is what you want to do. They then need to think about how this could effect there life and how raising a baby is a lot of money and time that they are going to have to spend on there newborn baby. This means you will not be able to see your friends much as you want to. But you also have to think about the people who have been raped and yeah there are people who they could give the baby to but you never really know how attached you become to the baby after you have it you want to be able to see is get older and go threw college and see it move on in life. Yes the child itself can learn from what happened to there mom when she / he was young. Honestly my mom had me at a young age but I have learned from my mom and my mom has taught me everything I know about life.

Sandy Cruz said...

Well I belive that everything happens for a reason so if a teen becomes pregnant, its because it was ment to happen. I also believe that protection should be use. (BE RESPOSIABLe OF YOUR ACTS). ABORTION is not favorable to me i don't believ on it, If you don't want a kid just put it up for adoption....

Emma Grace said...

GAG-ARAMA!!!!! This subject opens way too many other subjects... Too many Teens need to get their fluffing mind in the right spot. Sex, by no means, isn't a bad thing (in general); but it CAN wait! It could ruin a relationship, and turn it into something its not.. the guy or girl could go to school the next day and gloat about it! "Yeah, ahh, cool man. Welcome to the club!" No not really! Tempations are out there, I understand that.. But they are put upon this Earth to show how well or not you can be successful in your life. I am not talking about wealth, but the over all showing of your morals! Getting pregnant at a real young age doesn't show good moral. I know that there are certain situations that are very serious that wasn't purposeful (rape) which would also tie into abortion. I am not for it, but I am not against it. But I AM fully against when it is illegal in some countries and women will have to go into a room and have the baby removed with a coat hanger, which could also, dramatically harm the mother! I am getting off topic! .............. Teen pregnacy, teen sex... Adults and parents are not stupid, people are going to have sex before they get married. But to put yourself in a situation to potentially have a child too young is irresponsible, and unfair to the child. teen pregnancy is reputaion-ruining, social life-riuning, academic-ruining, and unattractive. there is more detail that I COULD go into, but time does not permit me to! Safe sex does equal out to actually having sex, it doesn't mean NO sex! Not at all! Just be left-brained when it comes to things like this!!!!!

Austin M said...

I believe that a teen should be able to keep a kid that they had. If they are stupid enough to have a kid that they are not prepared for then they should have to endure the consequences. I don't understand how you could look at a baby, your baby, and give it up to someone else. How could you not love and care for your baby. How can you not nurish it and care for it for the rest of your life. If you have a baby you would need to be able to care for it and protect it no mater what. You have to be there for them any and all the time. How would you feel to be a child that doesn't have any idea who his real parents are. Who has no idea if they are even alive. This is the thoughts that run through many people every day. This is why I believe that you should only have sex if you are ready for a kid.

Anonymous said...

I think most teens get pregnant not knowing what they are getting into. You should not have a kid if you are not financially ready and able to support your child. I don’t believe in abortions. If you get pregnant and think you cant support it, give it up for adoption.

- Essence Santiago.