Teenage Kicks

I recently read a blog post over at Single Motherhood Challenges about a documentary made by a small group of teenage mothers, most of whom are single mums, based in the UK. After posting a message about being interested in seeing the film myself the very helpful bettersexeduk contacted me and offered to send a DVD. This afternoon I took the time to watch it whilst Milo was taking his nap. It was a pleasant surprise. The film depicted intelligent women who for various reasons got pregnant at a young age but who were all doing their best in difficult situations and whom clearly care for their babies. Now, although I was an aved viewer of the American produced Teen Mom which does a bit to highlight the highs and (many) lows of teenage parenthood, it was interesting to watch something out of the UK where teenage mums are often treated as something to mock and look down upon. The fact is that I got pregnant with out planning it and I was 25. I know women older then me who also got pregnant without planning it so I wish the world would stop looking with such disgust at teenagers who fall pregnant. Sex education (in its current form) or not, it happens. Teenage mums are unfortunately less likely to be in a secure situation so far as income, a strong relationship, education etc in comparison to their counterparts and so should receive more support not less. I remember once sitting in a family planning clinic in London at the age of 23 and seeing a teenage girl in there who clearly had just learnt that she was pregnant. She looked ashen white and in a daze. Some boys came rushing into the room and from the interaction I noted that a little scrunt of a boy was the father. The boys looked at the girl, teased her and then ran out laughing among themselves! I sat there and thought, whatever trouble I am having in my life right now thank God I am not in her situation! Alot of girls are though. Glossopdale Young Women's Group, New Mills Young Women's Group, Peak Community Housing and Derbyshire County Council are attempting to do something about the attitude towards teenage Mother's and to help highlight the realities of having a child at such a young age. Thanks to the Derbyshire County Council's 'Youth Opportunity Fund' the documentary 'Teenage Kicks' was made and four brave teenage Mother's shared their story. I highly recommend watching it and if you yourself want to support teenage Mum's and educating teenagers about the realities of parenting please check out the links above.