Dulce Cortez

Professor Lewenstein

English 001A

April 19, 2018

                                             The Unknown Future of a Teen Mom 

     One morning Ashley felt as if she was having morning sickness. She was vomiting and felt tired. It had crossed her mind that she might be pregnant. She took two pregnancy test and they both came out negative. At that time she wasn’t using any protection, so she made an appointment at Planned Parenthood to get on birth control. She ended up finding out she was pregnant. She didn’t think she would get pregnant so easy because she thought the pull out method would be enough. All her plans had to be put on hold. She went through many struggles during her pregnancy. She had a very emotional pregnancy. She had financial struggles. At one point she lived in the street for a few days.

     After having her baby her goals, and mindset changed. Before Ashley became pregnant she had plans of moving in with her boyfriend on her 18th birthday. She was already in the process of getting hired at Rite Aid. Her next step was to enroll in college. She wanted to go to college to become a psychologist, so that she could help others with their problems/lives. She has been doing better and has been able to provide for her baby and family. Even throughout all the negativity she got throughout her pregnancy she ignored everyone and their opinions. She pulled through and is continuing to provide for her little family.

     Although pregnancy rates have decreased in the United States, there are still many young teens getting pregnant at a young age not knowing what their future has in store for them. Teens are having sex at a young age for many reasons: Peer pressure, sexual attraction, Alcohol and drugs, being taught the wrong kind of sex education etc. (Peer Challenge).  Recent studies show that the rate of babies being born to teenagers has dropped 8% from 2014 to 2015(CDC). It is believed that it has dropped because more teens have started using birth control (CDC). Even though rates have dropped parents should still talk to their kids about sex; even if they may not like the idea of their child having sex. Teens need to realize how much of a struggle it will be to raise a child at young age, trying to support their child, going to school, and having a job. It will be hard, but not impossible.

     Ashley Cortez, my sister, is 20 years old. The day she turned 18 she was still in high school; she decided to move out of her father’s house, and in with her boyfriend. When family members found out she moved in with her boyfriend they already assumed she was pregnant, and wouldn’t graduate high school. Family members were disappointed that she moved out, and some even stopped talking to her. When she found out she was pregnant in her senior year of high school, her main goal was to graduate. She wanted to show everyone that doubted her that she could make it. When living with her boyfriend she faced many obstacles. The father of her baby was doing drugs and wouldn’t come home for about 3 to 4 days. She knew she couldn’t move back in with her father, so she decided to move to Ontario with her mother once she graduated from high school. She gave the father of her baby an ultimatum. Ashley gave him the option to either go with her, get a job, and stop doing drugs; or stay behind and never see the baby. Ashley knew it was time to start thinking about what was best for her child. As much as she loved her boyfriend she couldn’t have the baby living around his life style. The father has now shaped up and they are both raising their child. Her boyfriend has a job and is supporting them both. Ashley graduated high school, and is currently a stay at home mom. She is planning on getting a job now that her son is older. Her son is her number one priority.  Her son is what motivates her to keep on going. He is her blessing.

     In his article “Lack of sex education in the United States,” Christopher Marinelli discusses some statistics about the lack of education within the United States. He compares the states to show us how sex education can bring birth rates down. His writing focus upon the mutual relationship between teenage pregnancy and the transmission of STDs. Everybody should get the chance to learn everything they can about sex. Classes that teach about sex education can help prevent many things than just teenage pregnancies. In Connecticut there is an average of 44 births per year in 1,000 women compared to states like Texas, Alabama and South Carolina with an average of 66 births per 1,000 women (Marinelli). These statistics can tell you that sex education does help prevent teenage pregnancy. States like Texas, Alabama and South Carolina should not only be required to talk about the negatives on sexual orientation, but be like Connecticut who gives life skill and sexual education classes without it being required (Marinelli). “However, almost all schools within our state administrate a sexual education or life skills class despite it not being legally mandated”(Marinelli). I believe every school should be like the ones giving out sexual education whether it’s legally mandated or not. Some teens don’t get this type of education at home because parents don’t talk about sex. They should at least be given the opportunity to learn about it at school.

     I met with Ashley at her home in Ontario. She lives with her mother. She rents out a studio that they have in the back of her mother’s house. As I walk in we sit in the living room. I looked around, and there it was, her diploma on the middle of her coffee table. “They never thought I was going to make it, but I did” she says. “I’m proud of myself for getting my diploma.” Ashley explains that everyone looked down on her when she got pregnant. She wasn’t the brightest in school, and now that she got pregnant they doubted she would graduate even more. Ashley states that as her child grows up she will be able to show him that she did it. She proved everyone wrong, and ignored what people thought or said about her.

     When Ashley found out she was pregnant she admits her approach about telling her family she got pregnant could have gone better. “I would have liked to tell my family face to face that I was pregnant instead of through text,” Ashley says. She explains that her and her family were not on good terms at the time. Throughout the conversation Ashley expresses her feelings about how scared she was to even confront her father on the news. “I didn’t even want to tell him through text let alone face to face,” she states. Ashley points out that her and her father never had the best relationship. She reveals how her baby boy has brought her and her family closer than they were before. As her sister I can say for myself that her baby, Alijah, has made our relationship as sister’s change. We were close as children but not as close as we are now.

      Ashley acknowledges that being a teen mother is difficult. “One of the most difficult things for me about being a young parent is that you don’t get to be selfish,” she says. She explains that there is no time to spoil herself. “I would love to enjoy going out on a date alone with my son’s father, or even just go out and do my nails or hair,” she says. She also believes another difficulty about being a teen mother is money. Even though she can provide for her child, there is always that worry about spending it on luxuries. She notes that overtime she spends money on things that aren’t needed she feels bad because she thinks “What if my son needs it.” To conclude Ashley admits that her child will always come first no matter what. She advices other to be careful if they are going to have sex, and if they ever end up in her situation to push through and keep going.

      As a teen mother, Ashley has heard all sorts of criticism. She has faced many struggles. She chooses to ignore what everyone thinks, and chooses to focus on putting her child first. He is her main priority. She is glad to have the father of her baby by her side with her through all of this, and for changing his lifestyle for the sake of their child. Of course she had wished to wait on having a child, but she is being the best mother she can possibly be. Her child is a blessing to her, and there are no regrets on having him. There are many people who believe teenage mothers won’t graduate from high school, or continue their education; and that there are many teens who end up relying on welfare. Ashley does not accept to be part of those statistics. She graduated high school and wishes to go to college in the future to become a psychologist or a registered nurse. She knows that it will be tough financially, but she just wants to be able to provide for her family in the future and to be a good mother. According to Ashley, she wants to be a great role model to her son. Her Diploma is something that she is proud of because while everyone said she wouldn’t make it; she proved them wrong. She wants her son to learn that he is capable of doing anything he sets his mind to. She wants him to keep pushing through all the tough problems life throws at him. Too not listen to all the negative comments or opinions people may have to say. Not only does she think of this for her son but other teen mothers as well.

Works Cited

Brooks-Gunn, Jeanne, and P. Chase-Lansdale. "Children having Children: Effects on the Family System." Pediatric Annals, vol. 20, no. 9, 1991, pp. 467-471,473-474,476,478,480-481, ProQuest, https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.collegeofthedesert.edu/docview/1023314830?accountid=42321.

Hodnett, Cynthia. "Mother's Age Affects Development." Green Bay Press Gazette, Oct 07, 2001, ProQuest,https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.collegeofthedesert.edu/docview/892602581?accountid=42321.

Marinelli, Christopher. "Lack of Sex Education in the United States." University Wire, Sep 24, 2015,ProQuest,https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.collegeofthedesert.edu/docview/1716230766?accountid=42321

Peerchallenge.com, peerchallenge.com/peerarticle1.php.

“Reproductive Health: Teen Pregnancy.” Centers for Disease Control and

 Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 May 2017,

  www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/about/index.htm.

“Teenage Pregnancy | Teen Pregnancy | MedlinePlus.” MedlinePlus Trusted

Health Information for you, medlineplus.gov/teenagepregnancy.html.