Interview Assignment: The Inside Truth on Teen Pregnancy.


      Over the past few years teen pregnancy has been increasing at a very alarming rate. Some people believe that the concerning spike in teen pregnancy is due to the media almost idolizing pregnant teens. As young mothers are being given their own shows like 16 and pregnant, and becoming famous for being promiscuous and displaying behaviors that are typically frowned upon. The opinions that teens are purposely becoming pregnant just to reap future benefits whether from the government or television, often comes from the public, that are people who have never known or worked with a pregnant teen. Judith Nordstrom, a woman who devotes her time working and helping teen moms, isn't so quick to judge teen mothers as she has seen what these teenagers go through on an everyday basis.

    Judith very much enjoys working with teen mothers and through her professional experience she is able to provide an unbiased opinion on teens mothers on the contrary to most public opinion. As the media consistently criticizes teen mothers as incompetent as parents to properly care for their children, based on what television shows convey to the public. Although seeing the care the children of teen mothers receive first hand is much more different than watching teen moms on television. When Judith was asked to describe how well teen mothers in her opinion are able to properly take care of their babies she responded saying, " Well, they're too young, they're not experienced enough to take care of their babies.The young mothers need people to help and support them in the process." Judith does agree that most teen moms aren't old enough and mature to actually take care of their babies properly, but because they're too young. Although with help and support teen mothers are eventually able to give their babies the proper care they need. Sure people are quick to judge these teenagers but they never stop to help these young mothers and teach them how to give the care that babies require. 

       There  has been much public opinion expressed about the show 16 and pregnant, Judith feels "I don't think pregnant teens and young mothers should be on tv, because I think these kids get pregnant because they think that they will be on one of these shows and that they'll be famous for getting pregnant. I think there are more pregnancies because of these shows." From a woman who works with teen moms professionally, she knows that 16 and pregnant isn't a good influence. Shows like 16 and pregnant are resulting in more and more pregnancies, instead of actually teaching teens that teen pregnancy isn't good, because the television networks are rewarding pregnant teenagers. Having talked and worked with many teen mothers, when asked about whether she believes that teens purposely become pregnant in order to reap the benefits, whether from the government or television; Judith responded saying "I think teen pregnancies are an accident most of the time. They're just young and naive." There are some teenagers that purposely become pregnant solely because of the future benefits they believe they will get from being pregnant. Although for the most part, teen pregnancy is just an accident and unplanned.                  

   

         Many people believe that it would be better for the children of teen mothers to be put up for adoption, and to be raised by older adults in order to have a good and happy upbringing. Since Judith has seen many young mothers care for their children and try to raise their babies right, Judith believes that "More than half of them,yes, should be put up for adoption. Most teen moms only think of themselves and what they can get out of the system after a while. After knowing what they can get, the young mothers think of themselves only." Most babies of teen mothers aren't given the care they deserve and more than half of them would be better off being put up for adoption. Although many babies would most likely have a better life being raised by adults, that doesn't mean all teen mothers are incapable of raising their children well. Judith said that "many of the mothers truly love their babies and they try to do the right thing for them. While other moms still put themselves first even though they have young infants to take care of." Some teenagers are just not suited for parenthood, but just because these mothers are young doesn't mean that they can't provide their babies with a good life, because many young moms do whatever they can do to provide well for their children and to give them a good life.

        The lives of these teens mothers are also drastically changed after becoming pregnant as well.Although the media negatively depicts teen pregnancy, 16 and pregnant, actually does a very good job in showing that many teenagers are not able to do the things they used to, due to their pregnancies. 16 and pregnant shows the lack of freedom teen mothers have once they have their babies, and the limitations as to what they can do. When Judith was asked about how the teen moms lives have changed because of their pregnancy she responds saying "They try to be like everybody else but they can't, because they have responsibilities." Being a teenager myself I could never imagine being a mother at my age. I believe that teenagers should enjoy their crazy teenage years. Motherhood should not be part of the typical teenage years, but sadly now a days teen pregnancy is becoming more and more common. Teens should be going to the movies or to the mall, instead of staying home taking care of  babies and missing out on some of the best years of their lives.