The drive to not become just another teen mom

A negative connotation is always associated to being a teen mother. The Women’s Health Channel states the following consequences of teenage pregnancy:

Teenage births are associated with lower annual income for the mother. Eighty percent of teen mothers must rely on welfare at some point.

Teenage mothers are more likely to drop out of school. Only about one-third of teen mothers obtain a high school diploma.

Teenage pregnancies are associated with increased rates of alcohol and substance abuse, lower educational level, and reduced earning potential in teen fathers.

In the United States, the annual cost of teen pregnancies from lost tax revenues, public assistance, child health care, foster care, and involvement with the criminal justice system is estimated to be about $7 billion.

With the statistics already being against teenage parenting, I did not want to become yet another statistic of being a “typical” teen mother. I made sure I did a couple things:

1. I didn’t drop out of school. Although it was tough, I finished school. There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I would’ve finished school without the child, so why would I not finish because of the child? If anything, having a son gave me more of a reason to finish.
2. Get a decent job — I had an education to back up what I wanted to do, so why not go for a job that pays well? I mean, I went through all that schooling (and paid enough for it, might I add) and it wasn’t for nothing. That meant preparing a resume and giving it out to anyone and everyone I can think of and a well-written cover letter to go with it. It doesn’t seem like its hard work, but those who are or have gone through job hunting know it takes a lot out of you. It’s frustrating and time consuming, but when I landed the job that I wanted, everything else was cake (well for the most part).
3. Work hard — not just at my job, but with everything. My son looked up to me. He needs to see a role model that can strive to better themselves. Someone who is determined and strong. I was not going to be just another teen mom.

Grant it I’m no longer a teen mom, but I was once. Grant it I had already graduated from high school when I had my son, but that doesn’t matter. Whether you’re in high school or in college, having a child changes things. It can halt your dreams or but it shouldn’t kill it nor should it deter anyone from reaching their full potential as person.