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Experiences of Young MothersAlthough a pregnancy is hardly ever desired during adolescence, this does not mean these young mothers cannot take care of their children. When the family environment and the father welcome the baby, such a big responsibility at this age can even become a positive factor in the adolescent's life, as some examples show.
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Teenage pregnancy can bring some challenges to the lives of those who experience it. Who is a teenager? Children from the age of 11 up to young people of 20 years old are considered adolescents. A large part of the cases occur in the lives of teenage girls, almost predictably, when sexual activity starts early and without preparation. Fortunately, most of them welcome this new life that is about to begin.
Teenage pregnancy is present in all social classes, regardless of the girl’s or couple’s level of education. What makes a difference is the higher incidence among couples with low income and in underprivileged regions where education is sometimes not a priority, as the need to survive and take on work responsibilities early is more important in the short term. Prioritizing the family’s financial support leads many teenagers to drop out of school to help care for siblings or even work to become the breadwinner.
When a positive (pregnancy test) happens suddenly, many thoughts can run through the teenage mother’s mind. However, the best thing to do at this time is to seek out her father or guardian and share the situation as soon as possible to ensure everyone’s well-being. Trust is the foundation of any relationship and telling early can make the situation less serious. How the teenage parents’ families will receive the news will depend on their upbringing and family values. More traditional families may see it as an offense, while for others, despite the circumstances, it can be a blessing.
The transition from daughter to mother can sometimes be very abrupt. The girl may not understand that the baby is now not just someone else’s responsibility, but that she will be responsible for a new life to come. The change with childbirth is undeniable, and if she is not prepared for it, she may end up suffering deeply from family demands and even societal pressure for the proper care that a baby requires.
Sleepless nights, breastfeeding, diaper changes, bathing, comforting, caring when the baby is sick. All this may seem magical in theory, but in practice, an experienced person may need to help the new mother. Of course, many young mothers do well most of the time. The problem is when caring for the baby is not the priority.
Some girls get married extremely young and already at 16 may want to expand the family. In this case, the family structure is, in a way, established. A young, sometimes early family nucleus, but still with father, mother, and baby. In these cases, pregnancy may be received with less shock and difficulties are reduced.
When pregnancy occurs in a young woman’s life, it is certain that many things can be lost, such as time for parties, dating, studies, and so many other things adolescence brings. Early pregnancy does not ruin anyone’s life, but it brings with it the need for maturity on the part of the new parents. Often, the grandparents' role is to guide them on this new journey. This guidance is essential and will certainly be recognized over time.
The risks of teenage pregnancy can be higher in cases where the maternal age is extremely young. Girls between 11 and 14 may suffer due to the low maturity of their reproductive system. They are usually closely monitored as they are considered at risk by medicine.
Being a teenage mother is not always an easy task. Seeing friends doing all the things you should be doing can sometimes cause discomfort. However, the reward for taking good care of your baby will come the moment they say their first word or even give their first smile.
Photos: Harsha K R, Andres Rodriguez
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