On reading a recent news topic here in the General Discussion about a 12 y/o about to have a child, it got me thinking... How young is too young?
It seems today that KIDS are having sex younger and younger, but not only that, they get pregnant and it's seen fit to let them proceed with the pregnancy and then have a child to raise, when they are merely children themselves.

Should a 12 y/o be allowed to keep a baby? And why stop at that, what about a 13, 14 even 15 year old? How young is too young to be parenting? And should it be acceptable to leave these kids (I emphasize kids because honestly, that is what they are... kids having kids) in the care of their parents, with their new babies? When clearly, the parent had no control in the first place if their 12 year old is off getting bloody pregnant.

In the case of the 12 y/o in the news article, the mother had allowed the girls 15 y/o boyfriend to move in to the home, there is no way she couldn't have known what was going on under her roof. I personally feel that this girls mother should not have custody of either her daughter or granddaughter. But irrespective of the fact that this boy lived with them, as that is not always the case...

How much responsibility falls on to the parents?


Discuss.

I think that if the kid (or teen) is too young to get a job then they're too young to be keeping a child. (granted 16-17 isn't much better, but at least they can work and contribute SOMETHING.)

It just ticks me off to see these kids having babies and then mom and dad are stuck footing the bill.
Although I suppose its what they get for not keeping tabs on their kids. ;D

12 is deff 2 young no teen should be sexually active *period* I think the age of 18 or younger should not just because its just an experiment there's no "love" its an act of love esp the teen guys are so immature just wanting to be in a girls pants they don't have that level of mature-ty its 1 way 2 make the girl crushed, leads to being a slut because they like that attention it justs takes their life away if they have a baby unwanted

Now that I've deciphered that, all I can say is that I had sex under the age of 18, it did not mess with my head, nor did it make me a slut. just for the record.

Same, plus you can't one moment say teenagers shouldn't be having sex and then go on to say teenagers should be having sex!

I never said teenagers shouldn't be having sex...

I was agreeing with you about what Amber said.

That is just u -- I shoulda been more clear the boys in school spreads the info and the girls become "sluts" even if they aren't or some does actually become sluts

And I spoke my opinon

I've never known that to happen and all but one of my friends were having sex at 16.

Sure you spoke your opinion, but it's a rather generalised and even stereotyped opinion that the boy is the one at fault?

I dunno why I even said that -- here the guys esp under the age of 18 when they sleep with a girl in highschool she tends to be "slut" even just 1 guy or two

But then again a few girls end up becomming sluts I meant for the "sluts" they get crushed when I was in higschool these girls get bashed because they slept with a guy and lookin at her was sickening (the way people treated her) and some girls get guys hittin on her cuz she was "easy" cuz this other guy slept wit em and bragged abt it but it could all change I'm a class of 04

I also know that those girls or some guys gets pressured by it and not be ready

Oh, thanks.. So, how do you know a girl is lead to being a slut if she has sex under 18..?

Our first aid teacher yesterday told us that the healthiest age to have a child is 18. I pretty much think that any age younger than this is too young, although 17 is ok too.
I think this because at 18 you are an adult. You are not a child looking after a child. You're an adult, you will have some responsibilities, and you are grown up enough to realise how to care for another properly.
That's not to say that younger moms can't do it well, but obviously it makes more sense to be older and therefore more independent and reliable.

When they said the 'healthiest age is 18' is that physically, because that makes sense, but emotionally and mentally, there is NO way that 18 is a good age for a baby! Yes, some people can handle it, and some mums would turn out to be brilliant at 18, but I know that I personally would NOT have been ready for a kid at 18, in the sense that my maturity and everything, wasnt right!

Yeah, physically it's the best age.

Although someone else said that babies born with their bowels outside are very common in mothers under 25. So there is always conflicting evidence.

I doubt it's 'very common' :P

Alright, more common then.

:)

i had my daughter the day after i turned 13. granted, it was a really stupid idea to have sex in the first place and get pregnant, but i would not change anything for the world. i think it was a stupid idea on the parent's part for letting her boyfriend move in. my mom sure as hell didn't know i was having sex until i told her i was pregnant. she would not have liked it if my daughter's father stayed at my house. i think if this girl has an extremely good support system, and she is *willing* to change her life for this child, then i wish her all the best.

i know you can't always control you kids lives absolutely, but honestly when my parents were kids i don't think there was as many children having sex and getting pregnant as there are now. i think parents are failing their kids. you're not supposed to be your kid's friend, you're supposed to be their parent. parenting means explaining things, setting boundaries, paying attention to your child, keeping them out of trouble. some parents seem to just not care, or are focussing on their kid liking them.

"i know you can't always control you kids lives absolutely"

My dad would beg to differ with you on that. ;D

Hahaha as would mine!

My dad's a terrible control freak ;D
Should hear how much of a hissy fit he's throwing cuz he can't have keys to my car. (that I paid for ;D)

My mom is one of my best friends, and I think I turned out ok ;)

i'm sure your mum didn't just let you come and go as you pleased like a friend would though. parents are supposed to look out for their kid and set up rules and make sure they're not getting into trouble. you can be friendly with your kid etc, but the objective shouldn't solely be to make sure you're their friend. you're a parent first. people who worry about their kid thinking they're cool are not good parents.