I had the funniest experience the other day that really opened my eyes..
I went to my little cousin's elementary school to eat lunch with him one day like the awesome big cousin I am. While I was sitting in the visitors' lunch area waiting for my cousin, I noticed that an older lady across the room was scowling at me. Not knowing this woman or why she had any reason to look at me like that, I smiled at her. She took my smile as an invitation to scold me about how my "generation is so okay with raising kids while we are still kids ourselves." Keep in mind that I had never met this woman, and yet here she was, judging me. I then proceeded to inform her that I am 19-years-old, have no children, and was simply there to visit my little cousin while I was in town for winter break. You can probably imagine the look that put on her face. It didn't occur to me until the next day why this encounter bothered me so much.
To that woman, it didn't matter to her that I was taking time out of my day to come visit my "child" at school and bring him some good lunch, she only saw the fact that I was young. Since when did a mother's age determine the love she has for her child? I finally got a glimpse into what it was like to be judged for having a kid at a young age. It was terrible. I know that some of you may be thinking "there are so many ways to prevent pregnancy if you're not ready", and you would be right, there are. But none of these methods, except for abstinence, are 100 percent effective. And let me be frank: saying you shouldn't have sex if you aren't ready to have children is like saying don't go bungee jumping if you aren't ready to die. That is literally the worst argument ever.
If you want the unplanned pregnancy rate to go down, do your part. Use your voice to make sure that birth control and sex education are easily accessible to teens and young adults. People are going to have sex. It is hardwired into our DNA and no matter how hard you try, you're not going to change it. So instead of trying to fight it, work with it. Be honest and open with your kids about sex. Don't make them find out the hard way.
You may be wondering where I am going with this, don't worry, I have a point. Promise. So "worst case scenario" happens and a young girl gets pregnant. Who are you to judge her? Just because someone is young does not mean they don't have what it takes to be a great parent. Will it be more difficult? Absolutely, but not impossible. I know girls, and guys too, my age that are 10 times better parents than "regular" aged parents. Stop the stigma that teen moms are "trashy" and that "they'll never reach their full potential now." It's just not true. Why not show the love and support that the mother, father AND baby need? Stop being judgmental pricks. Can I say pricks? Oh well, I said it twice.
