To ask what you'd think about someone who had a baby at 14

[Applestrawberryblackcurrant]

Would this make you want to give the person a wide birth? Or would you not be bothered. Asking for friend.

I's think her very silly to get pregnant when lots of information is available about contraception at school and in the community.

I'd expect her not to be very bright or to think about consequences.

I'd feel sorry for her that she was potentially going to miss out on so much and have to grow up far too soon.

But I'd judge her as a person on her character and probably on the way she parented .

'Goodness expat, I don't why this has annoyed you so much. As I said I think this was really quite common practice in the past and it still goes on (I have worked on maternity wards and with children's services for 20 years). Lots of these families are not wealthy (probably the majority) the baby would be entitled to CHB and WTC just like any other child, so some financial help is availible, if the new baby makes the family overcrowded then, they will be re-housed. For most of the families I see this is the obvious and best solution.'

PMSL! Nigh on impossible to get re-housed in many, many, many councils and still many other councils have changed to Universal Credit. But hey, keep deluding yourself that it's all hunky dory to have a kid when you're 14.

@letloose

These comments are absolutely discusting assuming teenage girls who have children amount to nothing.

There is nothing 'discusting' about posting facts.

@VladirmirsPoutine

For every 14yr old parent that went on to become some sort of hot-shot high-flyer there are plenty that just didn't and subsequently now reduced the life opportunities and life quality of at least 2 individuals (mother and baby, a starter for two).

Exactly. It's utter shite that many teen mums go onto far greater things, go to uni, and forge an amazing professional career. Most will not. Why are people trying to pretend otherwise. It's also utter shite that just as many middle class girls get pregnant in their teens as lower class girls.

There are some truly deluded people on here, who aren't admitting the obvious facts, and are accusing people who are speaking the truth of being narrow-minded, judgemental, and 'nasty.'

It's amazing how many people claim every teen mum they know is clever, hard working, has a degree, has her own business, has a pilot's licence, a villa in the Algarve, and a dozen pure-bred ponies, and owns her home outright, (which she paid for all by herself of course, out of her £145K salary!) and is a much better mum than them.

OK then....... We believe you!

No ignorance here @flowersonthepiano hun. Just posting facts.

A few others on here should try it.

If you have kids user, I seriously pity them. They'll grow up to be judgemental, narrow minded and ignorant too.

Even if teen mothers do go on to uni and have brilliant jobs etc.... it's still preferable to do all that unencumbered by children.

No not hunky dory no but, there is support availible and it isn't necessarily an absolute disaster and abortion isn't always the best option. I would tell my dd that shouldn't feel she had to terminate. Call me crazy I was bought up to think of babies as blessings and the news of any pregnancy as good news.
Maybe if you had seen as much grief and heartache as I have you might feel the same.

user1490607838 Facts? It's a fact I have my own business at 24 married 3 children all with my husband why is it so hard to comprehend that young mums can actually do good for them selves just like any other childless person? I would hate to be your daughter if anything ever happened with an attitute like yours

I'd think they were unlucky. Many 14 year olds could be caught out.

User, if you're interested in proof of the great things young mums are achieving, check out the #youngmumschat hashtag on Twitter. A group of former and current young parents meet up every so often to discuss issues pertinent to young parents today, and to advocate for better education, rights and ways to prevent teenage pregnancy without demonising young parents.

A lot of the participants had their children under 18 (I was 19 myself and continued studying while pregnant/with a newborn, got a 1st class degree and now doing my MA while working full time) and are leading very successful lives in education/careers while at the same time advocating for the rights of all young parents, regardless of their background.

Did you know a lot of young parents are discouraged from further/higher education by their schools? And the rights of young parents in education aren't enshrined in law like the rights of working mothers/pregnant women are? Perhaps if we change this, we'll see even more young mothers furthering their education and careers, but even still, there are plenty of success stories easily accessible.

Of course, if you'd like to continue living in bigoted ignorance, you can disregard my post entirely, as I'm sure you will

Attitude * shoot me

Gosh. It's amazing any parents do anything really isn't it? Given what an 'encumbrance' children are Yes, it's a bad idea to have a child when you're a teenager. But it does not mean you are stupid, your life is over, or you won't achieve anything. Whatever some ignorant people say.

I would tell my dd that shouldn't feel she had to terminate. Call me crazy I was bought up to think of babies as blessings and the news of any pregnancy as good news.

^^ Thankyou

Whoa, I just read through and saw user’s posts. What malicious and ugly and, not least, false and narrow minded comments...exactly the kind of person to give a wide berth to....I have much more respect for the 14 year old who is caring for and rearing a child she had much too young but is loving that child and moving on with her life than an ugly small poster on mm!

@flowersonthepiano Who has been ignorant? Please repost their message?

And yes having children is an 'encumbrance'. It patently is.

Do you have kids now Vlad?

A million years ago when I was at school a girl in my year became pregnant at 13, the boy was in the same year. She was 14 when she had the baby. Back then she stayed in school until she was showing. She came back and I think the baby was brought up by her mother. I don't know if she parented the baby once she was home from school but I should image it's not something you could do without major help from parents/ an adult to assist.

flowersonthepiano
It's nice to know people have feelings like yours I was always told at 15 with a baby I will never be able to do anything again. I have everything and more and I honestly couldn't be happier with my life

"Call me crazy I was bought up to think of babies as blessings and the news of any pregnancy as good news" Any pregnancy? Blimey-really?

Wow Vlad do think of your own dcs as an encumberance ?

@letloose would you encourage your children to become parents at 14?

Surely being a teenage parent takes away your own adolescence.

I became a parent in my mid twenties and it was quite a shock to my system when it was planned. I simply cannot imagine being a teenage mum

@kirinm Why do you ask?

I would be concerned for the baby.

Yeah just carry on with all your hyperbole. And calling me ignorant and a bigot. I am neither.

Doesn't change the FACTS.

MOST girls who have babies in their teens will not go onto greater things like university and a high flying career. They are far more likely to be on benefits (or be very low earners,) far more likely to be poorly educated, and far more likely to be from a lower class family.

THOSE are the facts.

Now just deal with it, quit being silly nillies, and just admit it. There's no shame in admitting I'm right.

I know I am hitting a few raw nerves and stepping a few MN tootsies, but I really am right. Y'all know it really.

You are all being quite ridiculous by saying what me and @VladimirsPoutin are saying is all nonsense. It's all utterly true.

And you know it. The denial on here is utterly breathtaking. Scary actually!!!

And as @rockinrobins asked, would all you people raving about these amazing high-achieving teen mums want your daughter to have a baby at 16?

Would you fuck!