patron-saint-of-smart-asses:

I will never, ever understand shaming a teen parent. Like…they are actively living with the “consequences” of their actions (i.e., having sex and keeping the pregnancy). THEY are the ones working hard to finish school, find jobs to eventually become independent, and also follow health guidelines for their pregnancies and for their babies: not you or anyone else. They know damn well what their actions have brought into their lives and they are already taking responsibility for it.

They don’t need to be reminded or shamed about being a teen parent. They certainly don’t need to be denied pain relief during birth nor being ignored when they discuss their mental health with care providers. Trust me, they are already lying in the bed that they made by actively practicing parenthood! Your shaming and belittling literally does not do anything for them, society, or their children: it just makes you look like an asshole.

Even full-grown adults with educational degrees and jobs need support when welcoming a new child into their family: it’s a huge adjustment that has created subcultures of postpartum customs throughout history! Is it really that different for the teen parent that needs it too?

So don’t throw your snobby nose in the air when a hard-working teen parent is asking for support or help. If anything, they’ve more than earned it – not that they had to earn it from you in the first place.