babyhorse: Thank's for that. That was really important to hear. And congrats for being the good kid in high school. I bet the kids who went to those events have a worse life than you right now.

This is really a horrible topic to begin with because I don't see the purpose in it. Why make a topic that is bound to cause arguements?

But to the original poster, I want to make it very clear that I love my kids very much. But I had my first child when I was 19 years old. Granted I wouldn't trade him for anything or change what happened, but I missed out on a lot. I don't see why kids are so eager to have children. There are so many things I can't do now that I have Bentley and Karlie. And NO I am not complaining. I love them both very much. But loving them doesn't make it easy. I had to drop out of college and move into a shabby apartment. I had to work 3 jobs just to afford baby products and to pay bills and pay for daycare. I'm not saying anything bad about teen moms. All I am saying is I would not wish the same life I had for Bentley and Karlie. I want them to go out and experience things I never got to experience before they settle down and have kids. I just don't see why a teenager at 15 or 16 would want to get pregnant. There's so much more time they have to have children.

Wow

Well that was insightful, guess I can make comment from the other side of the pond as I am from Scotland!!

I had my son at 15. The condom burst and my partner did not have the backbone to tell me it had burst. I had vry irregular periods so didn't worry for some time. When I found out I was pregnant I was terrified. I never once have been on what you term as "welfare". At 16 I started working and completed school. My son is now 12 years old and has his first job and knows he wants to live his life before becoming a parent.

I would never advocate being a teen parent as it is far from easy and Governments give out far too many handouts!! I get very very angry when I see teenagers having children when they never have nor probably never will contribute to society.

Lil Ms T wrote:

QUOTE:
My son is now 12 years old and has his first job and knows he wants to live his life before becoming a parent.

Here, we can't work until 14, but most places require you to be 15 or 16. Sorry, but I wouldn't trust a 12 year old working at many places. Where does he work?

you can do things like paper round at 12 here but anything else is at about 14 because of child labour laws

I feel that some of these comments are rude. I'm 17 going to be a mom three months before my 18th birthday. Teen moms do get judged and told how they should've kept their legs closed I did not use a condom, I can't. Stand the way they feel it makes me sick and I didn't take birthcontrol. I had to be up every morning for school I had tests to study for and grades to worry about I couldn always remember to take a pill. And I can honestly say I did not plan to get pregnant