And I got pregnant at 16 and have a 4,000 square foot home that is completely paid off, and 2 brand new vehicles that are also completely paid off. I'm still not PROUD that I got pregnant at 16 years old. I'm proud of WHO I HAVE BECOME. And I'm proud of the sweet little girl that made me grow up. But am I PROUD of getting pregnant so young? No.

Good for you!  You should be proud.  You were a responsible adult living out on your own.

I think that sometime where the negative comments come from is that most teenager who get pregnant aren't like that and don't always turn out so well.  I think people often have a hard time of seeing teenagers as being responsible enough to have a child and really take care of it.  It is difficult to view someone who still needs you to do things for them as able to fully care for someone who is completely helpless. 

I was 19 when I became pregnant with my first child and 20 when he was born.  I had a hard time being proud because I was single at the time.  I had no support or help from his father.  Looking back now I am proud because I worked hard to become a great mother.  I have worked hard to provide, support, and love my child and now 12 years later my two children.  It took me a long time to realize that I had a right to proud of what I had accomplished in life.

My mom was a teen mom.  She had me and my brother by the time she was 19.  I think she and my dad were the best parents ever.  I am almost 100% I said something similar with the first post.

I think the only problem with teenagers getting pregnant young is when they are still in high school, aren't in a stable relationship, and don't have good job opportunities. Your story is different because you had your stuff figured out, many people don't. So you should be PROUD. 

soo cute

@lifeonacitybusem4@xanga - No, it wasn't. I got pregnant 2 months before our wedding.

I have been reading a book called "Midnight" by Sister Souljah, and it's about a family who comes to America from Africa.  They're Sudanese Muslims.  In one passage (I'm not searching for it but I'll give you the gist of it) the son, who is fourteen, states that Allah (the God that they believe in) has the human psyche down to a science.  That when you start expressing your desires to have sex, you are ready to settle down and get married, and start a family.  He explains how ridiculous it is for Americans to be expected to wait, to go to school, then college, then get their career off the ground, THEN begin a family.  He doesn't find it sensible because he believes in sex after marriage, babies afterward.  That Americans have it all backwards.

YAY, love this :) your son is adorable! I got pregnant with Sophia in the 2 weeks surrounding our wedding (he was only home from Korea for 2 weeks) and I was 18, had her at 19. She is my entire world, I can't imagine what life would be like without her...I wouldn't want to imagine it! The only thing that makes it "harder" is that it's not easy to find other families as young as ours. But all in all I don't think age is a huge factor, it's more about where you're at in your life. Like, I know a group of "moms" around here that are 28 years + that completely ignore their kids most of the time and leave them with sitters all the time so they can go out and party. One of them even put her kid in daycare so she can have her "me time", but she doesn't have a job or anything...she just doesn't want to deal with her own kid. So yeah, in most things I believe age is just a number, not an indication of maturity.

@xSurferDuckxz@xanga - When you are 28+ and doing that, you are lauded for taking time to yourself and relax which is better for the family overall.  If you are young or look young at all and try the same thing, you are a horrible parent who is shoving responsibility of your child onto someone else.

Teenage pregnancy is an issue when the teen isnt self sufficient
(graduated school, own home, car, financial security, married ideally) as it puts a burden on the teens parents, which is not fair.  Its hard enough caring for your own immediate family, another mouth to feed unexpectedly can be difficult.

Its also an issue if the teen cannot or will not continue to pursue their own goals to progress in life.  Most teens are not married, and highly dependent at LEAST financially on their parents.  That's why teen pregnancy as a whole is not cool. 

By 18 you are a legal adult and may be able to support yourself if you HAVE to, but again, it is uncommon.  In your case, if things happened as you stated:

.  "Before my son was born, I graduated
high school, got married, got my cosmetology license, and a job.  I
moved out of my parents' house, and my husband and I were paying our own
bills."

then thats great.  Good for you.  But I still would say teen pregnancy is a no.  Most teens aren't mature enough to be a parent at 18 and are still figuring out who they are (though they will think they know everything at this age).  I know I wasn't capable at 18 or even 20...
I was pursuing a college degree and enjoying partying and sorority life.

I'm now 26 with my first child (6 months old) I love being a mom but I'm so glad I waited.  I wouldve missed alot of fun! 

I was 16 when I got pregnant with my daughter and had her at 17. I'll admit, my husband and I were not in the best situation to have a child at the time but we made it work. We both had part-time jobs while I was trying to finish my last year in high school and he took some classes at a community college. To make a very long story short, he just graduated the radiology program with a radiology degree and is now working as an RTR in an hospital and is making great money and I'm still in college finishing up some courses before I apply for the nursing program. I also have a great paying job working in the office. Your priorities change when you have a child but everyone's priorities are different. Mine just so happened so be about giving my daughter a life filled with opportunities and having her be proud of what her parents accomplished.