IN-DEPTH: The Reality of Being a Teen Mom in Montana
By
KFBB News Team
Story Created:
May 22, 2010 at 6:10 PM MST
Story Updated:
May 23, 2010 at 11:34 PM MST
These are the reality shows that have captured the attention of today's teens. They are shows based on the lives of teenagers who become pregnant during high school, then go on to become teen parents. The shows depict a certain reality of being a teen parent, but is it the same reality pregnant teens in Montana are facing?
Miriah Lopez in a teen mom, “I’m 16 and I have a 4 month old baby, her name is Nevaeh. I got pregnant when I was 15 years old.”
Though her story is unique, she is not alone. There are more than 1,500 teen pregnancies a year in the state of Montana for girls between 15 and 18 years old.
Miriah was on birth control. She and the babies dad have been together for about 2 years. Their plan wasn’t to have a baby.
For most teen moms, getting pregnant is not in the plan, it is a situation that can turn lives upside down.
Jo Ann Dotson of the Department of Public Health and Human Services Family and Community Health Bureau states, “Teen pregnancy is always a concern for the health of the teens and the children they parent. Teen mothers are more likely to have a less chance to further and finalize their education. Teen parents tend to have a lower income, so between not having those future opportunities for a better education and income to help them and their children, it doesn’t put them in the best position to raise their child successfully.”
Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau adds, “When girls get pregnant it makes it more difficult to get through school. Some of them make it, a lot of them don’t.”
Barbara Burton, the director at Florence Crittenton, a home for pregnant and parenting teens, including Miriah, see all too often the reality of expecting teen moms.
“When the girls first arrive at Florence Crittenton, most of the time they are usually pretty scared and pretty overwhelmed and a lot of the times, they are facing multiple traumas or challenges when they come.”
Traumas and challenges that make solving the issue of teen pregnancy almost overwhelming to combat.
Dotson explains, “One of the concerns always is the association of alcohol and drug use with teen pregnancy. When substance use occurs then it lowers a person’s ability to make good decisions.”
Part of teens ability to make good decisions, relies on the education they receive in our schools. In 2007, almost half of high school students reported having sex.
Denise Juneau admits, “We know that we have pushed a lot of abstinence based education and programs at school and there is research now that says those did not work.”
Miriah says, “I wish that I would’ve had more education. We would have people from Planned Parenthood come and explain stuff, and protection, and sex. Birth control, using protection on top of that. But it seemed like before I was even getting it through my head, it was too late for me, really, it was.”
But it's too late for Miriah to take back her choices, and live the life of an average high school girl.
“A lot of my friends, I kind of lost. Not because I’m a teen mom, but because I can’t got out. I can’t go and do the things that they do. There’s those mistakes and then those not mistakes.”
This mistake, is now Miriah's reality. It's a lifestyle she has now fully embraced, to beat the odds of teen moms who cannot create a successful and healthy life for themselves and their baby.
“I go to school, I go to work. I’m very busy. And balancing being a teen mom and going to school and having dreams is the hardest thing that I’ve ever done with my life. It is something I definitely didn’t plan for, but it’s definitely the best experience of my life because she is really amazing.”
Miriah's goal is to graduate from Capital High, go on to a university with a nursing school, and eventually help other expecting mothers. With the help of her caring community, there is not doubt that Miriah will rise above the statistics to achieve the dreams she had, even before becoming a teen mom.
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Alyssa Ashley Fett said on Monday, Dec 5 at 2:51 PM
Personally I am a teen parent myself. I got pregnant when I was 17. I am now 18 and my daughter is 5 months old now. I went through here reading some of these comments and not all of them were very nice. Yes alot of people look down on teens getting or being pregnant, But everyone has there story of how or why it happened. Not all of us chose to have a baby. There are also alot of comments about "Birth Control" YES. Birth control is a good thing to take or have while a teenager to prevent situations, But you can STILL get pregnant on the pill. The only way to not get pregnant is to NOT HAVE SEX! I chose to make that adult decision because it's a choice and a right we all have. I had sex with my boyfriend when I was 16. I am still with him to this day. We were each-others firsts and we did talk about Birth control, Condoms, and pregnancy. We DID have protection and I still got pregnant. It just happens sometimes. I took on my responsibility. Because I chose to be an adult.
cerajena peck said on Sunday, Jun 13 at 8:32 PM
wow. most of these comments are very rude and close minded! im 17 and im 6months pregnant. if any thing this experience has made me stronger. ya, some teen moms do get on well fair, but its only to give them extra help to get back on their feet! I have mad respect for any teen mom who went through with the pregnancy instead of resulting in abortion or adoption! these girls are forced to grow up fast and become responsible while other teen girls are out drinking and experimenting with drugs!so please think twice about judging until you have actually lived through the experience.
Anonymous said on Wednesday, May 26 at 4:33 AM
Sometimes people are dumb...to bad darwinism doesnt work or the world would be a better place...
Blogger said on Tuesday, May 25 at 9:16 PM
Most girls do end up collecting checks from the state. But it sounds like this girl is really trying to be a responsible adults. too bad more teenagers dont get sense knocked into them and grow up after having a kid.
Anonymous said on Tuesday, May 25 at 8:01 PM
I feel so bad for the kids, they shouldn't have to be raised that way. It also sucks for us tax payers cause we have to pay the welfare for these teen moms. Seriously, how STUPID are these girls to be getting pregnant at 15?
Apryl said on Tuesday, May 25 at 6:50 PM
You have the internet and books. You really need SOMEONE to explain birth control pills to you? Montana should be laughed at.
Apryl said on Tuesday, May 25 at 6:49 PM
Well, keep having the kids and get on welfare. Those are the people who get help. It literally says "if you are pregnant or..." and it makes me sick! These kids are so stupid to be having kids themselves! How can you not know you are having sex? Looks like someone dropped the ball on their parenting. Maybe they'll realize their mistake when they lose friends, a social life, but get to go shopping with their welfare money. No fancy purses for mama...only baby diapers and formula now! I don't feel sorry. I'm glad they're getting a rude awakening with a smelly diaper!
stefani said on Tuesday, May 25 at 11:03 AM
aww me too
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