| moo wrote: |
| it really got me thinking about why do some young women have such an urgent desire to become pregnant and why don't they think abut the reality of how tough a child will be when at that age? |
maybe because no one is singing that song. No one tells you how hard it is and you probably wouldn't listen if you really want to have kids at that point anyway. Everyone just tells you the gushy hallmark card moment version of it and they neglect the nitty gritty details. In that way, when you do find out what it's really like, it's too late and you're stuck.
Also, the reality of having children young is relatively subjective too. If you have someone to pay your way, help you care for the child, and having a child doesn't keep you from getting to do whatever you want, then your reality is very different from someone who has to work two jobs, will never get to go to college or have any other job training, and pays a small fortune in daycare.
| Quote: |
| i mean, why not just wait for a few years, finish education and get some money saved up so that it's a good position when a child comes along? |
since we're removed from the situation, this seems like the most logical choice but people who are deciding to have children or who have children can tell you that logic, even though it's sorely needed, rarely comes into play. You get swept up in the baby clothes and the baby furniture and picking out names and having people fawn over you. You forget that it will likely mean the end of your educational aspirations and that you will, if you haven't already, stagnate at your job because of it (there is a glass ceiling for parents in the majority of american large businesses).
When I became pregnant, there was a time, a very short time, when I was sentimental about the whole thing. But, thankfully, logic took over and slapped me over the head. Then my life was in danger anyway so it made the process more simple.
| Quote: |
| now, I understand that alot of young pregnancies are unplanned and so, if they don't chose abortion then it's a different situation but why would anyone intentionally set out to get pregnant just because they really want to but their situation is s***? |
there are lots of reasons. When I was 20 it seemed like all of my friends became pregnant, one after another. It could be attention, as crappy as that sounds. Also, one of my friends felt very unloved and unappreciated at home so she wanted to have "someone who will love me always." no amount of telling her that children take far, far more love than they give could change her mind. Some women fall to societal pressures (especially if they come from a "traditional" family) that they are supposed to have their children young. Some women think they're absolutely in love and the greatest thing in the whole world would be to have a baby with their partner, despite if they can put food on the table or not.
The decision to have children is always very personal which is why it must be a personal choice. If this young woman wants to have a child at her age, then that is her choice and as such, she has my full support and best wishes for the future. My thoughts as to if she is selfish or not really don't matter.
| Quote: |
| it's so bloody selfish imo, it's just what they want with no regards to the thought of the child coming into this world. I know I want to be in a financially stable position when I have kids which is why I chose not to drop out of university when I found out I was pregnant. |
if everyone was logical about their decision to have children, most of us wouldn't be typing here today. Only half of pregnancies are planned and far fewer of those are planned at the best times in the best circumstances. My mother planned me but financially, the situation could have been better (as it was when my brother was born).
| Quote: |
| so, is it selfish or another explanation? |
it's always selfish. .A.L.W.A.Y.S. People do not have children for any selfless reasons it is always what they want, what they desire, what they feel they have to do despite their circumstances. It's selfish for this young woman, it's selfish for me to have an abortion because I want a better life for my children than they one I could provide at the moment, and it was selfish of my mother to have me just because she wanted to have children. it's all selfish.