Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy is a worldwide issue, and there have been many groups and organisations that offer support and advice. In my opinion, sex is not as openly communicated as it should be. In schools, teachers and pupils get embarrassed, and everyone thinks of sex as a joke. Therefore, pregnancy is talked about even less.

I have become more aware of this subject since it has affected both my friend and I.

When my friend found out she was pregnant, she was fifteen and already three months pregnant. She had symptoms of morning sickness, but she was still having her periods. That is why she did nothing until I told her that you can be pregnant and still have periods. She never really realized the impact a baby could have on her life at that point.

I suggested that she go to the doctor, and even came with her. She was so scared, and worrying about what her parents would say; friends at school. She was also confused, and scared, uncertain whether she would keep the baby or to not if she was pregnant. When the doctor took a pregnancy test and confirmed that she was pregnant, her face was full of confusion.

She told her parents about the test results soon after. They were not pleased, but they loved her. Even though they have strong opinions against abortion due to their religious beliefs, (Catholothism opposes abortion) they would stand by her and always be there, whether she kept the baby or not. She told her boyfriend too, and at the mention of the baby, he dumped her, taking no responsibility at all. She wasn't all on her own, but it felt like she was, because she had always believed in bringing up a child in a family unit, and this was not going to happen.

Many families would not be that supportive of their pregnant children, and that is why it is so important to get as much advice as you can about pregnancy, STD's, and STI's. All of these things can be avoided.

She decided to keep the baby for her religious beliefs and her own morals. I always said I would be there to support her, and on May 16th 2002, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Honeysuckle.

She loves her daughter to pieces, but she would have loved to have had her daughter a few years down the line, when she had grown up, and had someone loving to support her and the baby. She pines for a social life, and also finds it difficult to acquire a boyfriend, because he would have to accept her and her child.

In a way I feel sorry for her. She does not go out because she has to look after the baby, and her studies are failing because of the lack of time she has. She also feels very alone. Teenage pregnancies are rather vague until you or someone close to you has been in that position.