Are Pregnant Teen Children or Adults?

'Sex' Episode of Josh's Journal

Let’s face it: teens (aged 15-19) have sex. They have unsafe sex. And besides the risks of exposure to various sexually transmitted diseases, they are also risking pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is faced by thousands of families each year (1). Although it seems to be on the decline (2), many are still affected by this situation.

How should the reality of a pregnant teen be handled?

For some parents, the disappointment and anger of a pregnant daughter leads them to basically disown her, leaving her alone (or with the baby’s father) to fend for herself and her baby. Other parents demand that their child take care of the baby and its expenses, but take on some of the bills such as providing a place to stay, paying for childcare, and buying food and formula. Then there are the parents who react by taking over the whole responsibility from their teen. They completely take care of the baby and their child.

Of course, parents choose other options, but they mostly seem to fit in one of those three categories.

The benefits of the parent helping their teen while, and after, she is pregnant are that the teen can finish school without worrying about finding a job and paying bills. Plus, they don’t have to miss out on the fun of the rest of their teenage years. Also, they have dependable resources necessary to raise a child. The baby doesn’t have to do without because its mother or father can’t provide, and the teen has his or her parents to give advice.

On the other side of the coin, the teen will need to start making adult decisions now that he or she has a child in tow. Their independence may be compromised if the parent continues to take care of things for the teen. The teen may not feel the responsibilities that they now have and may keep behaving recklessly with his or her body and life. Moreover, the teen may leave the care of the baby completely his or her parent.

Every situation is different and should be dealt with accordingly. But knowing your own situation, I ask-- Should pregnant teens (and teen fathers) still be their parents’ responsibilities or should they be treated as adults?

1. Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Sutton PD, et al. Births: Final data for 2008. National vital statistics reports; vol 59 no 1. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2010.
2. Ventura SJ, Hamilton BE. U.S. teenage birth rate resumes decline. NCHS data brief, no 58. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2011.