Britannia Ovens (esp Range cookers) your experience

[patsylabrador]

I don't think it's a good idea. Whether deliberately or accidentally, a young girl has become pregnant and then presumably chosen to keep her baby. Either way she has to grow up pretty darn fast. I think a better approach would be to alter existing clinics, if indeed that is necessary, in a way that would make them less intimidating instead of putting on special teenage ones.

They say they don't like being 'looked at' by older women, it would be better to get used to it and not assume they can hang out in their cosy peer group.

I would like to see them being shown that they should be responsible women when they have a baby and that they have to be able to integrate with all ages of women.

[Calamity Jane]

hmmmm its a tricky one isn't it. They are still children themselves after all. I still think more sex education is needed, maybe girls and boys should be made to see the consequences of their actions in a way that they can relate to? Both mine have left school now (one at uni) but I dont think they were given enough information on teenage pregnancy.

Lets not forget there are some girls out there who actually seek to get pregnant at a young age. They see it as some sort of way to get 'admiration' from their friends. I can only see that ante natal clinics in schools would be a way of condoning the fact that it is ok to be pregnant at such a young age.

[Cinnamon]

I prefer to see it as a way of our culture dealing with what has become,sadly,a fact of life.

 

The system works well in America,with proper support given to these girls who,for whatever reason,have a really tough time ahead of them.

I tend to think that it will be a positive thing if they are being dealt with by midwives & staff who are trained to help them & can do so without prejudice.

 

I am sorry but I don't like the assumption that they are in a 'cosy peer group'. Of course they are going to try to find support from others in the same situation,as would a woman of 50 who found herself pregnant. At least this scheme will offer the support they need & may even help prevent further pregnancies.

[Egluntyne]

The most important issue must be the well being of the baby, and as many of these very young mothers aren't generally good attenders at clinics etc, it seems a pragmatic response to the situation to me.

[C&T]

I can only see that ante natal clinics in schools would be a way of condoning the fact that it is ok to be pregnant at such a young age.

 

That was my thought. I really feel for these girls, and they have a really tough time ahead, both short term with a young baby, and longer term with limited schooling beneath their belt (in many cases).

 

But somehow, putting in a process just for this "event", seems to be normalising it, making it more acceptable, and therefore encouraging it?

 

They have to grow up fast - and need to start that growing up as soon as possible, so personally feel ensuring the current clinics etc are better at looking after younger pregnant girls so it isn't so daunting to walk in the door would be a better approach? They can start interacting with "older" mothers - they will be same ones they will meet at the nursery/school gates in the not so distant future, and they may be able to help offering advice and support.

[Looney]

I think that if there is evidence that teenage mums don't go to the usual ante natal clinics then taking steps to ensure that they have the best level of care and education relating to their pregnancy, the birth and the new baby is a positive thing. I don't think it is encouraging teenage pregnancies any more than teaching sex education is encouraging teenagers to have sex underage.

 

I have visited projects that aim to educate teenage mums and dads in ante-natal issues but also that try and keep them engaged in education and teach them about the options available to them, college, childcare etc. If they don't get this - and if they don't have supportive parents - the consequences can be severe and long-reaching and the knock-on effect for the baby in future life can also be quite negative. Teenage mums often find themselves isolated, their peer groups move on without them and they struggle to find new peers and make new friends.

[craftyhunnypie]

As much as I'm not keen on the teenage pregnancy thing - by the time they are in their 30's these girls have their lives back! Unlike ladies that become mothers in their 30's & have to give up everything to have children. It's a funny one this. I tend to think that this is the 21st century & no matter how much we educate, it's still going to happen. I agree that some do it for attention or as a cry for help ( hey - please notice me). It's a sad & tough world today.

Teens are a time of temptation & experimenting - so I think the best thing is to support, help & guide these young & afraid women. So I suppose ante natal classes in schools can only be a good thing for any girl that finds themself in this situation.

 

Emma.x

[chickencam]

I would rather that these girls got the correct advice and medical care, than worry about any repercussions (sp) the improved health care well out weighs anything else. Teenage mums are given a really hard time, but I suspect there but for good fortune go many more. We all make mistakes in life and all human being benefit from support when they are going through a tough time.

 

I am all for encouraging them to complete their education and they will be able then to make a positive contribution to society when their children have grown up and they are still young.

[Calamity Jane]

I am sorry but I don't like the assumption that they are in a 'cosy peer group'.

 

I didnt mean it to sound that their situation was in any way 'cosy'. Obviously girl's in this position need all the help they can get.

[patsylabrador]

But don't schools also have a responsibility towards all the girls in their care. All the sex education in the world falters if pregnancy at 14 or 15 is part of schooling. In other countries young girls learn their skills from older women, as did I as a young mother. What's wrong with that?

[Calamity Jane]

In other countries young girls learn their skills from older women, as did I as a young mother. What's wrong with that?

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I think there has been a break down of respect between the generations in many cases.

In addition, not all young girls have the luxury of a caring mum around, and are wary of accepting help - dont you think ?

[patsylabrador]

Absolutely, actually I agree with [*]most of what has been said except that I believe that peer group culture is the bane of this country and partly to blame for the high pregnancy rate. Many teenage mums come from supportive families and I believe the way forward is more integration of generations, not another separation.