As we learned in the article "To Parent or Relinquish" there are plus' and minus' to any route in choosing what to do in the situation of a unplanned pregnancy. There are definitely patterns in what people do, or how they make their decision in the situation. For example, in the article it can be seen how the typically girls that chose to give their baby up for adoption came from a home with a mother that was educated. This could be because the mother knows what her daughter needs to do in order to be successful as she is, it takes a lot of work and time that a young mother does not have. Mothers that gave their child up for adoption were way more likely to go onto and finish vocational schools and get a job that pays better.
There was also the fact that women that kept their baby were happier with their decision than were the women that gave theirs up for adoption. This was not surprising to me, it reminded me of the show "16 and Pregnant" it really shows how hard of a decision and situation it is for a mother to have the child they have been carrying for 9 months taken away from them and reared by someone else. I think that no matter what the route abortion, adoption, or keeping your baby it is going to be an equally as tough decision that affects your life forever. There is such a stigma on abortion that I think this would prevent many couples from even considering abortion. No matter what the route it is going to be a difficult transition. No matter what I think that it is hard to determine what is best for all young mothers, they are all coming from different places and different situation and that makes a huge difference in what a girl should do.
What do you think you would do in the situation?
What would you take into consideration if you came into this situation?
-Erin Richeson
Source"To Parent or Relinquish: Consequences for Adolescent Mothers" by: Steven D. McLaughlin, Susan E. Pearce, Diane L. Manninen, and Linda D. Wings
You are right about the decision being very difficult to make, and the fact that it is a decision that you will have to deal with for the rest of your life is what makes it even harder. For that reason, I try not to judge people on whatever decision they choice to do, whether its abortion, adoption, or keeping the baby. Neither one of these decisions are easier to make then the other. To answer your question, if I got pregnant right now I would keep my baby. When making this decision, I took a couple of things into consideration. First and most importantly, I took my support system into consideration. I know that my mother and family would help me as much as they could with my baby. I will definitely be the main caregiver for my baby. Secondly, I thought about my age and where I am in college. I am 21 and a junior, so I would be able to finish the fall semester and then take a semester off and then go back and finish my last semester in order to graduate. Also, because I am getting older, I don't want to take a risk of not being able to get pregnant later on life. Thirdly, I took my financial situation into consideration. I am not financial stable, but I am sure with me working more hours and the help of my family, I can make it work. I never would consider adoption because I would be too attached to a baby to give it away after I have it, and I do not think abortion would be the best option for me right now in my life. If I was 16 then I may have considered abortion more.
ReplyDeleteBrittaney Vaughn
I believe that mothers need to do what will be good for them in the long run. This could either mean abortion/adoption so the mother can stay in school and potentially do better in the long run. Or it could mean keeping their child because that is all they need to be happy. There is no easy decision when it comes to teenage pregnancy, as we see on the show "16 and Pregnant." Because there is no easy decision, I will never judge people based on what they choose to do either. In the end, I think teenagers need to do that they think is a good decision and will make them happy in the future.
ReplyDelete-Alex Antoniou
If I were to be in the situation of getting pregnant while in college I would probably have my baby but I would give it up for adoption. My reasoning behind this is that I have an aunt who can't have kids and she has always wanted a family of her own. She adopted my cousin when he was born he is a great person. Of course this decision would not be an easy one to make because even though my child would still be in my family there is the possibility that I would not see them because my aunt does not live close to me. Over all I admire the young women that make these hard choices not only for themselves but for their children as well. Whether choosing to have the child, to giving it up for adoption to having an abortion none of these choices are easy to make when you are young and just starting out your life.
ReplyDelete-Ana Gutierrez
Yes, all 3 situations are extremely difficult to decide from and each young mother's decision should be based solely on how they feel and what their situation is. They should decide what is best for them. And me personally if I were to get pregnant now, I would talk with my boyfriend and my family and his family, and get their opinions but ultimately for myself, I think I would choose to keep my baby, only because I wouldn't want or I don't think I'd be able to cope with someone else raising my child because I know from this situation personally, so I'd move closer to home and continue my education, and even though it will be extremely difficult at times, I know I would have their support and guidance to get me through...but also I commend other women who decide adoption or abortion, because like any other decision those aren't easy to deal with either.
ReplyDelete~Nikki Walton