Article link: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1074862-1,00.html
I believe this TIME article not only coincides with the messages Jennifer Beggs Weber (our guest speaker this week) was sharing with us, but also with the messages we are fed through society about teen fathers.
There are strong stereotypes toward teen fathers suggesting that they impregnate the mother and then leave. If they don't leave, they typically do not/or are unable to offer the financial support necessary for the child. It is also frequently assumed that teen fathers do not form or keep a relationship with their child.
I find it encouraging, however, to hear from people like Jennifer and through articles like this one that these stereotypes are more than wrong and that fathers more often embrace the experience. I also find it encouraging that there is an increased interest in developing programs that help teen fathers. There are many programs offered to teen moms for support, but I imagine these new opportunities for fathers are somewhat relieving to them.
I can appreciate Terry's statement about ending the pattern of teen parenting: "I know it will stop with my son." I imgagine that seeing and experiencing the struggle of teen parenting would encourage Terry to teach his son that waiting to have children might be beneficial for everyone. I guess I am making some assumptions about the struggles. What do you all think?
(Brittany Randolph)
Jennifer opened my eyes to the teen dad stereotype, because i always assumed teen dads are careless, not willing to spend money on the kid or mother, and WILL walk out eventually.
ReplyDeleteand this surprises me because even though i have that opinion about teen dads, my parents were teen parents themselves and theyve been married for over 40 years now, but its still taught that being a teen parent is a bad thing.
(Nour Salmeen)