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Suzanna Shoop

Professor Tyler

ENG 1201

2 December 2020

How does Becoming a Teen Mom Affect a Young Mother Over Time?

The phrase “Mom, I’m pregnant” evokes joy, excitement, and eager anticipation. For teen

girls, the same phrase stirs emotions of uncertainty, fear, and judgement. A flood of shock often

washes over women as they learn they are expecting. A different reaction occurs in the mind and

body of teen girls upon learning of the baby they are carrying. Thoughts of who to tell, how to

tell them, who will be supportive and who will not, as well as what the future holds

educationally, socially, and financially become intense concerns quickly in an expectant teen

mother’s world. Considering my personal experience through having a child in high school, the

statistics available regarding teen mothers’ future education and income opportunities are

discouraging, but important to recognize. Ensuring that teen girls understand the impact of the

decisions they make and people they surround themselves with is crucial. Having a child at a

young age results in setbacks that society tends to view as something the teen mother has brought

on herself. A young mother’s socioeconomic status, family dynamic, education, and emotions

are fundamentally altered as she endeavors to create her own life.

Teen pregnancy has been a topic addressed in schools and homes at varying degrees and

with varying information through the years. Parents having honest conversations with teenagers

is promoted by religious and health organizations such as Planned Parenthood. Schools

encourage teens to discuss their relationships at home, hoping to bridge the gap of information

they may or may not receive through the school. Whether a girl grows up in a loving, supportive
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environment or amongst chaos and hardship, having those important conversations with their

parents or a trusted adult is at a level of importance that should not be overlooked. I was

fortunate to grow up in a wonderful home with family that went above and beyond for me in

countless ways and talked to me about the hardest of topics, including teen pregnancy. Despite

our close relationship and ability to comfortably talk to one another, I did not understand the

consequences behind the people I chose to be around and the decisions that I made. At age 16, I

faced having the conversation parents worry about and teenage girls dread when I told my

parents that I was expecting a baby. The reaction I received was unexpected and uncommon

among most expectant teen girls. I was embraced by my mom and met with a level of

understanding that, to this day, warms my heart and deepened my relationship with my family.

Approaching the topic of pregnancy with parents and extended family can be

embarrassing and awkward, even scary for teenage girls. Often, informing parents of the

impending birth is put off at detrimental costs including, but not limited to, the infant’s death as

covered in the news media. Teenage females in the age range of 15 to 19 years old have the

largest number of unexpected pregnancies of any age group (Vianna). Knowing that fact and

understanding that teenage girls are taught health and sex education, with an emphasis on

abstinence in school, seems to point to a disconnect of information. Informing teen girls of the

life altering and far-reaching effects of becoming a teen mom would assist in healthier decisions

and, ultimately, a lower rate of pregnancy for teenage girls.

The social view of teen mothers has shifted, to a degree, through the years. The

information and organized support available to expectant teens and teen mothers has progressed.

Socially, understanding that education is empowering has aided in the change from never

discussing teen pregnancy to recognizing that it is a concern that must be addressed. Decades
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ago, teen mothers would be hidden from view and, at times, sent to live with relatives or a home

for young expectant girls. The pregnancy and birth would, often, not be addressed any further

within the family or with the teen mother. There were many situations where the baby was raised

as the teen’s sibling without regard to the mental toll taken on the biological mother. Basic sex

education has been taught through the public-school system for many years. Abstaining from sex

all together is the most prevalent teaching within the past few generations to current day and has

done little to curb teenagers from making the decision to have sex. Directing teens to not have

sex, among other risky behaviors, tends to edge them toward curiosity enough to engage in the

exact activities schools are attempting to discourage.

Providing more information to teen girls through avenues outside of schools and home is

one method to ensure detailed sex education and teen pregnancy prevention is available. One

such avenue is the Healthy Teen Network website which is devoted to the education and support

of pregnant teens and teen mothers by offering online classes addressing sexual and reproductive

health (Disiderio et al.). Healthy Teen Network also reaches out to communities in order to

establish diverse, informational programs and to local law makers to encourage change and

protection for teens (Dididerio et al.). Another avenue of quality information is through Planned

Parenthood, a well-known outlet for teenagers wanting birth control or to maintain a healthy

pregnancy. However, the stigma attached in going to one of their facilities creates enough drama

to steer many teenage girls away. Information through websites geared to teen girls can offer

health and sex education that is glossed over through formal education. Information about the

stress that occurs when becoming pregnant as a teen and the hard work that comes with

motherhood is important for girls to access. The effect on the female body from carrying a baby

is long-lasting. Stretch marks do not go away with a cream or overnight. Sleepless nights while
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completing high school courses and the need to maintain an education is something most teen

girls are not prepared for mentally, emotionally, or physically. Understanding the seriousness of

carrying a baby, the dangers of pregnancy and birth, and the responsibilities that lie within

mothering would have a far greater impact on young girls’ minds than being told “don’t do that

until you’re married”.

Families classified in a lower socioeconomic status deal with the outcome of teen girls

becoming mothers at a far greater rate than families in the middle to upper socioeconomic status.

Girls growing up in families that are considered more economically stable benefit from

advantages that are not common in lower income households. The advantage that comes with

having a parent at home is largely impactful on which teen girls become pregnant due to the

simple fact of supervision. There is also a greater chance for open discussion and accountability

to be built in the parent/teen relationship. These girls often have access to contraceptives that

other girls do not. The economic strain intensifies within lower income families when dealing

with teen pregnancy. Paying for diapers, formula, and childcare are the most well-known

financial concerns for any new mother, let alone a mother still developing through her teen years.

A study published through the University of Colorado at Boulder points out that childcare can

amount to being twice as expensive as in-state tuition to a university (Mollborn and Jacobs 9).

Often teen moms are without employment or savings which could be utilized toward these

financial difficulties.

One aspect of providing more comprehensive education to teen girls involves

understanding what programs are available if they become pregnant and how to utilize those

programs. There are economic disadvantages to teen mothers upon the birth of their baby which

are addressed through several government programs in an effort to provide economic support.
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An awareness of what these programs are and the enrollment process is a topic that should be

taught in schools and discussed at length with teenage girls. This opportunity is missed in the

general curriculum offered in high school. The extensive paperwork that is required to receive

funds from a government program is difficult to complete. One of these programs, which came

from the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, more

commonly referred to as “welfare reform”, is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or

TANF (Mollborn and Jacobs 7). The assistance this program provides is based off the income

from the household in which the teen mother is residing. Therefore, if the young mother is living

with her parents who are employed, chances are she will not qualify for any assistance under the

TANF program. However, if the young mother moves in with a friend whose income is far less,

economic support through TANF will be granted to the teen mom (Mollborn and Jacobs 8). The

choice to live with a friend in an environment that is less ideal for an infant is made, at times, in

order to receive government assistance (Mollborn and Jacobs 8). Recognizing the lengths that are

required of the mother in order to ensure proper nutrition is provided to her as well as necessities

such as diapers, clothing, and formula for her baby is a teachable moment for teen mothers as

they grow into adulthood. The economic outcome for teen moms is less favorable than that of

their peers who do not have children. The income available to teen mothers becomes allocated to

the necessities in life rather than saving for college, paying for their first car, or social

enjoyments.

Long held social stigmas tend to push pregnant teens and teen moms toward the decision

to drop out of high school, which prevents or delays future education options. Completing high

school is the cornerstone moment in most teenagers’ lives, providing excitement and motivation

for their education. Whether it is the culmination of 12 years of dedication to receiving a high
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school diploma, a well-deserved

associate degree, or a hard-earned

four-year bachelor’s degree; the initial

accomplishment propels that student

into further success. That success is

often not felt by teen mothers as seen

in this graph (Brancato and Kalaf).

This graph depicts the reality that,

regardless of a teen girl’s race or

ethnicity, having a baby as a teen does delay receiving a high school diploma (Brancato and

Kalaf). The percentage of teen moms within the United States that obtain their high school

diploma prior to age 23 is incredibly low as reported by the Center for Disease Control and

Prevention on the website How to Adult (Welton). If that information is not concerning, knowing

that less than two percent of all teen mothers complete their college education by the time they

are 30 years old as noted in an article discussing teen pregnancy on the National Conference for

State Legislature’s website should spark attention (Garcia). Schools with unsupportive attitudes

for the sake of how they look to the community and taxpayers also discourage pregnant teens and

teen moms from continuing their high school education. This is no more evident than what

Maddi Runkles experienced as a pregnant teen at the time she graduated high school when her

school refused to allow her to participate in her graduation ceremony (Vianna).

While educational outcomes range for any student, the progress made educationally for

teen moms is not what it should be in order to obtain a job, create a career, and support herself

and her child. The fact is that the likelihood of a teen mom finishing high school is remarkably
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low at around only half of all teen mothers completing their degree by the age of 22 (Nall). Of

those teen moms who are committed to receiving their high school diploma, only 10% go on to

receive a degree in higher education (Nall). Research published by The Danish Center for Social

Science Research found that, of 565 mothers surveyed who birthed children in their teen years,

only 8% completed some college (Johansen et al. 1298). The mothers surveyed were at age 35

when they took part in the survey (Johansen et al. 1298). Further information obtained from

these mothers revealed that the lack of a completed college education led to significantly lower

income earnings over time (Johansen et al., 1298). The drawback to not obtaining a higher

education is not limited to lower incomes. The lack of education reduces the opportunities

available to attain basic life achievements such as owning a home or car and the prospects of a

lucrative career are less likely.

Education is the doorway for countless opportunities in life and teen mothers need doors

opened to them for the sake and well-being of the child they are raising. Higher education

teaches critical thinking at a level that is not available in the majority of high school courses. Not

developing the valuable ability to think critically as a teen effects young mothers far into

adulthood leading to a lack of self-esteem, doubting their contributions to conversations, and an

inability to read and comprehend advanced written material. Over time, young mothers being

able to interact with peers at an equivalent level is less likely due to their lack of education. As

pointed out in a study investigating the effects surrounding teenage childbearing; “early

childbearers exhibit a substantial educational deficit relative to later childbearers” (Hofferth et

al.). Teen moms face more of an uphill battle than they would have prior to becoming a mother,

therefore any step toward advancing their education is a positive. The steps taken to complete

high school as well as a college education should be encouraged by family and society.
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A teen mom’s family dynamic shifts significantly as the strains of becoming a young

mother set in. Even in supportive households, there are natural adjustments and stresses that

come with having a newborn. Many teen moms remain living at home with their parents who,

subsequently, take on responsibilities for the some of the infant’s care and necessities. The fear

of rejection and judgement from their parents, extended family, and friends that teen moms

struggle with do not disappear once the baby is born. Kailyn Lowry wrote about her experience

of becoming a teen mom in her book Pride Over Pity where she candidly points out that “deep

down I hoped that my mom would take on the persona of the concerned parent, unfortunately

that’s not what happened” (Lowry and Wenner 35). Kailyn further discusses the tears that ensued

and the permanent wall that began forming between her and her family (Lowry and Wenner 37).

Family not being supportive, as hurtful as that is to any girl for any reason, at the time they are

needed the most drives the shame of letting everyone down deeper into a teen mother’s gut.

Many teenage girls feel their friends are their family and can count on them for comfort

and support. This, however, is often not the case when the reality of being pregnant in public sets

in and the inconvenience of caring for an infant rather than being a carefree teenager interferes

with youthful fun. Teen Mom, a reality show produced by MTV, set out to unveil how serious

being a teenage mother is but, instead, made teen moms who were featured famous. A

commentary regarding this show states “when teen moms become celebrities, the message to

avoid teen pregnancy is lost” (Kroll). Teens who view this show see irresponsible behavior and

the glamorization of teen moms and overlook the hard work that goes into the relationships

behind the scenes. Teen mothers deal with real stress and real-life situations that are glossed over

when parenting is made to look like a joke. The enjoyment of holding a baby for an hour is far

different from the work that goes into the constant care of an infant. Young mothers are made to
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feel they should relax and not be so serious by friends which drives a wedge in the friendship

and, eventually, severs the relationship all together.

Becoming a mother as a teen contributes to mental health issues such as depression.

Mental health in teen moms tends to be overlooked. While women of any age are subject to the

possibility of postpartum depression, the impact of this on teen mothers persists longer and can

cause further mental health concerns through the teen’s adult years (Corcoran 3). The opinion

that “you made your bed, now lie in it” is what many teen moms are met with when making any

effort to seek assistance as was the case for Christina Martinez, a 35 year old from California

who was a teen mom (Reese). This attitude dismisses the anguish and stress that teen moms

experience, not only through pregnancy and early years of parenting, but becomes embedded

long into adulthood. The effects of either seeking treatment for or ignoring mental health

concerns have an impact on the child that is born to the teen mother. Being emotionally

unavailable can cause a disconnect between mom and baby as well as the infant not receiving the

proper care at integral stages in their development. Seeking treatment can provide a healthier

progression from teenager to adult while raising a toddler, but is harder to come by with the

shame barrier that remains in place for mothers who are so young. Parenting challenges can be

overwhelming to mothers of any age and maneuvering through those challenges without the

education, direction, support, or confidence to do so poses long-term problems. The weight of

being viewed as irresponsible, careless, and unintelligent by a teenage mother’s school, friends,

and family carries emotional bruises that take years to completely heal.

Looks are of greater importance to teenage girls than at any other time in their life and a

lack of self-esteem due to their changing body often leads to issues with depression. Teen moms

are judged harshly by themselves as well as peers and, as a study from 2013 discusses, the
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weight issues that follow the baby’s birth cause a further lack of self-esteem (Scutti). Teen

mental health is widely discussed regarding adolescents who deal with diseases such as anxiety,

bipolar disorder, and depression. There is a higher likelihood, three times higher in fact, that teen

girls between the ages of 15 and 19 who are already coping with mental illness will become a

teenage mother rather than their peers who do not have mental health concerns (Reese). There

are teen moms who have endured trauma as a result of becoming a mother as well as trauma that

resulted in the initial pregnancy. Being ignored by childhood friends, outcasted by their religious

group, and seen as a disappointment within their own home for a decision which was, at times,

completely out of their hands, has a negative effect on teen moms’ mental health far into the

future.

Although the disadvantages to becoming a teen mom are clear, there are sizeable

advantages to that range from increased attention to financial gain. The chance to be part of a

reality show or develop a YouTube channel that produces income for teen moms are promising

options that, even a decade ago, were not feasible.

Viewers of Teen Mom, with the original cast

pictured here, have seen the successes that came

from participating in the show (Richmond). As

noted about the cast in a commentary; “These girls

became celebrities in what seemed to be Fig. 2. The original cast of Teen Mom
televised on MTV (Richmond).
overnight” (Kroll). The swift emergence of

stardom is appealing to many teenage girls and, in some cases, encouraged as a steppingstone

into real life. There are teen girls who are encouraged to become young mothers to help their

family financially and ensure their possibility of achieving higher education. The National
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Institute of Health published a study of teen moms’ experiences and relays the message that, in

the African American culture, becoming a young mother is viewed “as a marker that a girl has

become an adult” (Mollborn and Jacobs 3). The programs, organizations, and educational outlets

available to teen moms offer extensive assistance and guidance that can turn a teen mother into a

success. One available program is AIM 4 Moms which is an organization that bases their

assistance on “the Theory of Possible Selves” with the goal of inspiring teen mothers by teaching

them skills to visualize the promising future they will experience (Asheer et al. 585). Some

school districts offer high schools that cater to teen mothers by providing childcare, specialized

counselors, and offering credit for consistent attendance in exchange for diapers or formula

(Mollborn and Jacobs 17). The advantages financially and educationally from various programs

as well as government assistance propels some teen moms into a successful future that would not

have otherwise been possible.

Success stories of well-known teen moms range from reality stars to doctors, politicians,

and actresses. One example of educational success is author and Associate Professor of English

at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Jenna Vinson (Webster). Vinson had her first child in

high school and was the first in her family to go to college where she not only completed her

college degree, but continued on to earn a Ph.D. (Webster). She is accompanied by many teen

moms who have accomplished great successes. A famous woman who also had a child in her

teens is actress, spokeswoman, and model Sofia Vergara who is outspokenly proud of her son,

her background, and her accomplishments. Texas Senator Wendy Davis, who led a filibuster

from the Senate floor in 2013, gave birth to her first child when she was 19 years old. Maya

Angelou, the celebrated writer and poet, became a mother around the time she graduated high

school. The successes of these teen mothers extend to current and future teen mothers. Knowing
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that having a baby at a young age does not define a teen moms’ career or education is a

promising outlook. The avenues available to create income, growth of personal capital, and

educational advancement are all advantages that teen mothers can utilize to achieve success in

their life.

There are concerns that arise when a teen becomes a mom and how those concerns are

addressed has a lasting effect on the new mother. The matters that are often discussed initially

fall into the areas of emotional effects but continue into the social, economic, and educational

impacts of having a child in the teen years. The growth of the teen mother is often put off in

regards to her mental well-being, completing some form of education, and reduced ability to

financially provide for herself and her child. As pointed out in a study titled “Long-Term

Consequences of Early Parenthood”, becoming a mother early in life heightens stress and can

cause negative outcomes socially and may be harmful to the teen’s overall health (Johansen et al.

1287). Decisions made at the time of birth and through the early years of parenting typically

create slow momentum in the teen mom’s life. While there are obvious successes who were once

teen mothers, the odds were stacked against them and still are for teen moms today. The negative

effects a teen mom experiences need to be candidly discussed with teen girls. The overwhelming

love she will have for her baby does not negate the difficulties she will face as a teen mom.

Heeding the warnings that have been present for decades and teaching of what true effects occur

when a teenage girl has a child is beneficial for the teen in question. The effects that a teen mom

carries through life does not stop with her alone. Her baby is also greatly impacted along with

numerous family members and her community. The effects of becoming a teen mother come

with a set of challenges that are impossible to avoid. Teen motherhood comes with adult strains

involving their family dynamic, mental health, education, and finances that are long-lasting
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effects impacting a teen girl’s future life success. The only path for young mothers is directly

through any challenge she encounters with determination and focus.

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