Teenage mums and social stigma

Hi Everyone,

I'm doing research for my dissertation at Durham University and I'm interested in why teenage mums are the focus of social stigma in British society.

We are supposed to be becoming a more tolerant and progressive society, yet this group of women are always the focus of negative media attention. Do you agree with media interpretations of teenage mothers, and why? And why is it that prior to the 1960s tenage mums were not seen as abnormal, yet in modern society having children young is discouraged?

Thanks for all your help, any responses may be used in my research.

Emma x

Thanks

Hey everyone, thanks for your help.

I was a teenage mum at 17, and although I was in a happy relationship for a long time things didnt work out so at 22 with two children I had to start my life over, but I'm now at university and life couldnt be better.

Although i was young when I had my children things have really worked out for the best; having my kids has made me a more confident, responsible person and if I could change things I wouldn't, however I realise this is not the situation for alot of young women. The only thing I can say is to follow your heart and do what's right for you and your child, and live your life for you and not other people.

Again, thanks for all of your input,
Emma x

15 and preg

Hey Im 15 and Im preg [6 weeks]. I dont think its the smartest thing that I did because I know it will be hard. I made the decision to have sex so now I will face the consequences. I will not runaway from my problems and fears and get a abortion. Its not the babys fault that I made a stupid decision so life must go on. Money is not a problem for me [anymore]. Im engaged in acting,singing, and modeling agency JRP in Boston,MA. The babys father just turned 18 and he told me he's scared but he wants to keep it. Im scared too but what will walking will my head down do? I try not to stress because I know I can do it. I think putting teen mothers down is just stupid because what good will that do? They need to join support grops and if they definitly dont want it. Adoption is a choice.

Email

if you need any other info my email is xxfallinstarx@yahoo.com

Why do us teenage mums have to take so much crap!!!

i had my daughter wen i was 14 and my son at 17.im am now 18 and my daughter is 3 years and my son is 6months.i have to sat i am very awar of dirty looks wen i go uot,not just from older people but girls my age and i thinks its sad.i wish people could look at me like any other mum but to be honst i dont think media do's anything to make this better.i mean wot good examples of teenage parents have you seen on t.v. NONE EXACTLY.and im sick of it.yeah sure u do get a few teenage mums who r bad but i would also like to stress you get mums in there 30s who are awful so 2 b fare it has nothing to do with there age.my biological mother had me at 41, she ended up losing all her kids and she wernt a tenage mother!i think theres a steriotype of what a teenage mother is e.g.single,slut.benafits.smoke s when pregnant,dnt know her babys dad which in all the cases i know couldnt be more far away from the truth!i could sit hear all day and rant about this subject coz i have so much to say about it.teenage mums are just mums at the end of the day who love there kids just like any other mums.love to hear from other teenage mums 2 c wot there veiws are. megz xxx

I think its a shame

When you think of a teenage mother, you generally think of reasonably fat chavs who smoked during their pregnancy and have children called like mckenzie and so on. and generally people think teenage mothers rarely know who the father of their child is. people think that the girl was clearly premiscuous and didnt use contraception. and on top of that, they have no gcses.

However, I think this is not fair. Some teenage mothers may be like that, but there are some who carry on with school, dont sponge off the government and actually make something of themselves.

I have no problem with somebody being a teenage mother, just as long as they dont fall into the first situation i mentioned.

Another point is that it doesnt really matter how old the girl is, whos to say only older parents are the best parents. someone may be 17 or so, but they may be a better mother than someone who is 27, it shouldnt really make a difference.

Finally, 2 thousand years ago, it was absolutely no issue. girls would start their period and get pregnant soon after and it was a totally normal thing. but apparently thats no longer acceptable in the eyes of society.

im 17, and im not pregnant, but if i were to become pregnant i wouldnt find it that much of a bad thing, i would just make damn sure that I provided for my child without scrounging from the government, i would know that it was my boyfriends child, and i would give my child a sensible name.

Not being funny

But who are you, or anyone else to judge anyone?
Its nobodies business regardless of your appearance, your finances or who indeed your babies dad is.
I think the fact people feel their opinion is relevant or even in anyway worth mentioning; is pure arrogance. Yeah have an opinion but dont force it on me or anyone else. Being a mother is a full time responsibility, you dont just sit around doing nothing all day; thats just not how a good mother works.

As was said previously; anyone of any age can be a bad mother, so anyone of any age can be a good mother.
Being a parent is nothing to do with where you get your money from, who your babies father is, or what theyre called; that is childish ignorance- and if you were to become a parent it would simply fade away.I think you are repeating something thats been drummed into you by an adult or another youngster who invariably got it from an adult.

The stigma is arrogance and ignorance; pure crap.

Also not being funny.

im not being funny but i believe it is peoples buisness when tax payers are paying for the child (eg benfits) why should anyone have to work there ass off for there taxes to be given to someone that doesnt have to lift a finger.

Im sorry but if you cant afford a child you shouldnt have one. Its not fair on anyone, especially not the tax payers and the child.

I wouldnt of said i could afford a child when i got pregnant, but i changed jobs work more hours in a job i hate but i know i wont rely on anyone to pay for me and my baby.

Hey.

Hey im 18 and 20 weeks pregnant. I believe there is a stigma because many teenage pregnancys occur due to lack of contraception. There are few teenagers who are in long term stable relationships and few have well paid jobs (if not still in school) I know a few young mums (pregnant at 15 + 16) who are single, dont work, live off benefits, dont pay for there flats etc. It seems unfair that people work hard and there tax goes to those capable of working but dont. Dont get me wrong being a single mum is hard but my friend wasnt a single mum during pregnancy and when her son was born, neither her or partner chose to work, she even told me i shouldnt work (before i was pregnant) as i could claim and wouldnt have to go to work everyday she said it was great!

Times have changed, back then i believe teenage girls were taught to keep the household, raise and look after the family and prepared for marriage. Men were encouraged to get jobs, as far as i know from my family marriage was common for teenagers and so starting a family followed.

I found out i was pregnant after 8 weeks, i was on the pill and got my periods so was shocked to find out. I was already engaged to my partner so i felt a bit better about the situation. i work full time to save and pay for things for my son and plan to work untill im about 36/37 weeks pregnant.
It hard being pregnant so young and raising children, i wish i had more life expierence behind me but i am taking responsibility for my actions the pill is never 100%.

I would also like to add i am not condeming all young mums i know older people who had children young and have done a great job.
Just my views.

Nic xxxxx