I was
22-years-old when I got pregnant with Aiden. It was the year following my
college graduation. I had an Ivy League degree, a full time job as an
elementary school teacher, an idea of the direction I wanted to take my career,
and plans to apply to graduate school in the near future. I had a promising
future and, by my own definition, I was well on my way to being somewhat
successful.
Then, I
saw the positive sign on the pregnancy test and immediately felt like a
failure.
Why?
Because I looked like I was 17-years-old. There was a certain naïvete about me that made me seem even younger clueless than I actually was. Also, I didn't have a ring on my fourth finger, left hand, and I felt as though people would judge me, shame me, and associate me with every negative stereotype associated with a young, single, pregnant girl.
And, unfortunately, I was right.
The teen pregnancy prevention campaign the NYC Department of Social
Services is currently running brings me right back to that feeling I had
when I saw the positive sign on the pregnancy test almost six years ago
— back to that feeling of shame and failure. It brings back memories of
the hurtful things people said to me while I was pregnant.
"Wow, how old are you?"
"Where's the father?"
"Poor thing."
“Do you know who the father is?"
The teen pregnancy prevention campaign the NYC Department of Social Services is currently running is no different.
Head over to REDBOOK to read the rest of my response to these ads, which are everything but effective, in my opinion.
I ABSOLUTELY AGREE!
ReplyDeleteWhen I got pregnant my first thought was oh noo but that was quickly followed by "what is the world going to think, I'm young (and look 15) and am unwed".
Towards the end of my pregnancy I just wanted it to be over -- I was tired of the looks that shifted from my belly to my finger.
What I wanted was support. What the teens need is support.
Ads like this shame people but does nothing more. Absolutely terrible.
smfh i kept seeing these and I think they send the WORST message. It is telling young mothers (single or not) that they are setting their children up for failure and see how they are directed to MOMS?!? What about the men who helped to create these kids. I was 21 and a college senior when I got pregnant with Liam. I STILL graduated the year I was supposed to and ALWAYS knew his father was the "man" I had been in a long term relationship with. These ads are bull!
ReplyDeleteWhen my sister got pregnant during her teenage years, I felt the whole world crumble. Our parents are working overseas and I was the one in-charge of my siblings. I really felt bad about it. cialis
ReplyDelete