Teen Birth Rate Rises for First Time in 15 Years

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

And going by personal experience with the couple of pregnant teens I've known, they knew where to get condoms or other forms of birth control, and they knew how people got pregnant. Some even knew from close friends exactly how difficult parenting was. That knowledge didn't information their behavior though. The fun of sex and the "it won't happen to me" thinking (as well as "it might be fun to have a kid" thinking in a couple of cases) override the formal instruction they've been giving.

I wish it was true of just pregnant teens! I have a friend who's going to give birth in the next few weeks. She's my age, and her boyfriend is still in college. Ewwww! It's just a big mess...I don't get it. In college, my boyfriend and I were acutely aware of how much my getting pregnant would screw things up for both of us, so I wonder why they took that risk knowing that her career is temporarily derailed (she's in the same field as I, where you have to garner a certain number of work HOURS in order to be licensed), and his last months of college/first months of a career are not going to be as smooth as they would have been if they had just used a damn condom! I think she sees how much harder it's going to be for her than it is for our married friends who, while still got pregnant by accident, have the back-up of a larger apartment, more savings, and more work history to cushion the setback.

Totally off-topic, but I'm still skeeved out by it--and still kinda wasted from last night. I feel like this situation has made me a million times more vigilant about not getting pregnant!

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I wish it was true of just pregnant teens! I have a friend who's going to give birth in the next few weeks. She's my age, and her boyfriend is still in college. Ewwww! It's just a big mess...I don't get it. In college, my boyfriend and I were acutely aware of how much my getting pregnant would screw things up for both of us, so I wonder why they took that risk knowing that her career is temporarily derailed (she's in the same field as I, where you have to garner a certain number of work HOURS in order to be licensed), and his last months of college/first months of a career are not going to be as smooth as they would have been if they had just used a damn condom!

I feel stalker-y because I quote you alot (LOL), but we are *here* on this.

I have met people who are IN COLLEGE and pregnant, and people say "well you're an adult, it's not like you're 15" but it really IS still a big deal because you're not in your career yet and things are still going to be difficult.

BTW: Are you in the architecture field?

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I have met people who are IN COLLEGE and pregnant, and people say "well you're an adult, it's not like you're 15" but it really IS still a big deal because you're not in your career yet and things are still going to be difficult.

BTW: Are you in the architecture field?

I am in that field, and so is my friend...right before she announced her pregnancy, we started studying for the exams that you have to take in order to be licensed. It's a pretty drawn-out affair, and you have to devote a lot of time to do it. Hell, I barely have enough time to study, and it's just me, and my only real impediment to studying is my hollow leg. I just feel really bad for her in that regard, since it's going to be a while until she gets to take them, which is going to hold her back a little.

Oh well, best thing I can do is be a friend, and maybe a babysitter. We'll see.