Reading an article about the 90 young girls who are pregnant in Memphis Tennessee’s high and middle school’s triggered some unresolved emotions inside of me that I remember when I was their age. Teen pregnancy is an issue dear to my heart, knowing many women who have experienced this and I also have a deep relationship with this as well; I understand the effects of what teen pregnancy can do to a person’s life. This is just not an issue of morality but also a self-esteem and economical issue. Teaching children to be abstinent is wonderful but it won’t keep them from refraining from sex.
Knowing the consequences of conceiving a child when they are a child themselves will be a good mixture for change in their behavior. Teen pregnancy not only change your life forever but it can cause many hardships that some could not handle on their own. Understanding the decisions that are made at the age of 16 will truly affect your life at 30. Not being able to fully educate yourself is a downfall that many teen moms face. There is no guarantee that the father of the child will play an active and supportive role in you and your child’s life. Not only will this cause a serious economic weight on your life but, mentally this is a challenging task to face when the maturity level is not there for the parent.
The loss of one’s freedom is one of the biggest consequences there is. Life is no longer about you, but the child. This can be a dream killer for many which can lead to depression. The most difficult reality about teen pregnancy is just not the hardships the young women may face. It is that the child will also suffer along with the mother. Many times they don’t have an opportunity to have a full childhood, unlike other children who are in a two parent home that are financially stable. Many times this can turn into a vicious cycle that can repeat itself with single motherhood in a family. Having a husband at an appropriate age, then deciding to have children could be the best gift that you could ever give yourself and your child. The chances of finding a husband after you are a single mom could be slim.
To avoid the setbacks and heartaches it is better to make wiser decisions when it comes to your body. Treat your body like a temple at all times, when you do that the next person will respect you as well. Many parents who have teenagers today should take out the time to build self-confidence, responsibility and accountability in their child. Do not be afraid to talk about the details of sex and abstinence and most of all the consequences of these actions. All girls should have an opportunity to live and pursue all their dreams and goals before they are mothers. When they become fulfilled and educated parents they can pour this into their children’s lives. Fulfilled children will create powerful and successful adults. Let your light shine today by protecting the most precious gift you ever had and that is you.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6 ESV)
http://www.overflowmagonline.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment