Posted on 01/08/2009 8:10:37 AM PST by dbz77
Yup, that and the Oprahfication of America. Whatever you ask for, you get more of, and when Oprah trots out some welfare cow with 6 kids from 8 different fathers and introduces "Shinequa! A single MOOOOOooommm from Detroit who's valiantly struggling to blah blah blah" ...well, that's what people see and aspire to.
All happy, satisfied with their lives?Yes, all of them are employed.
No STD's, abortions, drinking problems, drug use, depression?Correct.
But, at least you grew up to be a FReeper! :)
....having a military father was certainly a large reason why I became conservative!!!
I know my HS students thought that the girls who had babies were cool, and thought it would be fun. OF course, few of those girls actually took care of their babies, their moms did.
Interestingly, almost all unmarried women I know over 35 would like to find a husband. Likewise, I have to say that most of the unmarried men I know would like to find a wife. While there are those who don’t fit the typical mold, human nature seems to desire to go in pairs.
I don’t think the article mentioned marital status, but I wonder how many of those 18 and 19 year olds are married? I was a teenage mother. I was considered a high risk pregnancy for a couple of reasons, but one was my age (6 weeks before my 20th birthday). I was also married. But at any rate, I’m sure for the year 1977 I was in the teen mother stats.
You know, perhaps that’s why I’m a FReeper today too! Interestingly, my family had rousing political discussions when we were growing up. We were allowed to voice our opinions, even if they were different from our parents and even (dare I say it now) if they were stupid! It was a good way for us to know what and why Mom and Dad thought what they did, and I think it’s held me in good stead. Of course, they also told us when they thought we were wrong.
And don’t forget that abortion is usually FREE through student health at most universities.
Well, kids are a lot of fun. I live to come home from work and have WBill Jr. hit me in the knees with a bear hug. And my son is the epitome of cool, especially when he wears his cowboy hat and boots out in public (the grocery cart is a horse....Hi-Yo Silver!!).
But, there's a whole lot of drudgery, saying "No" to stuff that I'd like to do, coming home instead of staying out, getting up instead of sleeping, and a million+1 more things that I'd have hated at 18.
Funny, they don't mention all that stuff in Sex Ed. Quickest way to keep kids from getting pregnant, IMHO, would be to get them up at 9, 10, 12, 1:30, 3:14, 5, and 6:20 for various and assorted feedings, changings, teethings, runny noses, or whatever mood happens to strike. Then go to work for a full day, come home, and do it all over again for another couple of years.
Would I trade it for anything? Nope. But there's no way I'd have been ready at 18.
Yup, in the proper setting kids are great fun (I enjoyed my 3 and still enjoy them as adults). BTW some schools do have those baby *dolls* they give the kids that randomly *wake up* and cry, etc. That probably helps give them a sense of what a baby’s like, but most of the young mothers I knew when I taught knew their Moms would be the one taking care of the baby. There just didn’t seem to be much of a downside from their POV.
But, I think that they enjoy bringing him home just as much. :-) Starting again at retirement age, wouldn't be a bit of fun for them.
Irresponsible, IMHO, for the kids to expect something like that.
I agree, but most of these 15 year old girls had mothers who were in their early 30s. Gosh, I can’t imagine raising my grandkids at my age!
When I was pregnant many of my husband’s friends told him he was nuts becoming a father at his age, they were all on the verge of or already grandfathers. Our daughter is 10, my husband is 53.
Interestingly, almost all unmarried women I know over 35 would like to find a husband. Likewise, I have to say that most of the unmarried men I know would like to find a wife. While there are those who don’t fit the typical mold, human nature seems to desire to go in pairs.Definitely.
I am glad I don’t have a 10 year old (I’m just a little younger than your husband) because I don’t think I could keep up with one, HOWEVER all of my friends who had kids later seemed to enjoy them maybe more than I enjoyed mine. I had more energy when I was young, but less patience AND I don’t think I savored time as I do now. Bet your 10 year old is a lot of fun, I love 4th graders.
LOL by 21 I was married and had a kid. We were always the youngest parents in our group.
I’m only a little younger than my husband!!!!!! I’m 48.
I am about the least patient person I know, I mean it seriously when I say I have no patience whatsoever. Dealing with the day to day crapola of a 10 year drives me absolutely insane (a short trip according to hubby) but I love ever minute of it when I look at it 10 minutes later!
LOL!!!! We're the oldest parents among those that do not have children above the 13 or 14 year mark.
I remember a few older parents when we had our kids. I think there’s pluses and minuses to both things. For instance, we were in our early 40s when the last kid went off to college. But we never got to go do all the fun stuff our peers were doing when we were younger (then again, maybe that’s a GOOD thing!)
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