A Generation Torn From Innocence

It's actually generally scary how teen pregnancy is becoming like an okay thing. When I was 4, my sister got pregnant with her first child. She was only seventeen, going on 18. And it was the biggest "OMG!" The biggest, "Holy crap, you are what?!" I mean, I didn't know that at the time, but now I know how much of a big deal with was to everyone. And she was almost 18, almost a legal adult, and it wasn't only a big thing to my parents but other people around her. Now, we have entire TV shows about teens age 16 getting pregnant. No, it's not glamorizing or giving the "O.K."for teens at 16 having children, but it makes it a cultural normal. Which if you ask me, is very unsettling. My niece is in middle school, 6th grade. She told me that one of her friends had a pregnancy scare. A WHAT? A PREGNANCY SCARE?! Meaning, your 12 year old friend is not only having sex, but is doing it unsafely? I can't. I just can't. That actually creeps me out. NO NO Nooo NOPE nOOoo. I'm 16, and the only pregnancy scare I've had is that nightmare where the doctor told me I was pregnant to triplets. Oh speaking of pregnant 12 year olds, I was watching beyond scared straight and their was a 12 year old on the show who was an aspiring gang member. OH MY GOSH. What?!? How is that even a thing? I'm fortunate to haven't gone through drug addictions, pregnancy, violence or anything in that general area. There was also a kid on that show who was like 11 and possession of cocaine. Who was "holding it for his friend."COCAINE. I've never even seen cocaine in the flesh, let alone "held it for a friend."

Okay, back on the subject of pregnancy. I just really don't understand. You would think shows like MTV's 16 and Pregnant, would shy kids, yes kids from getting pregnant. Like, I don't know about these other kids running around having kids, but I have goals. I have dreams. And you would assume everyone else would too. I guess they just have to work a child into theirs. Or at least, try and do that.  Which if you ask my sister, is one of the most difficult tasks, even with the support, love and care of your parents.

But honestly, if you and your boyfriend are too scared to buy condoms, you are too immature, too young to be having sex. I hate to sound cliche, but what's worse, buying one pack of condoms, or buying cases of diapers? Which reminds me, if I learned anything from my sister's three pregnancies, diapers are super expensive!