General Discussion

gollygee

(22,336 posts)

21. I know someone who had a baby at 13

Tue Feb 19, 2013, 09:59 PM

Feb 2013

and is now my age. She had a more difficult life to be sure but all was well.

I think if it were my daughter (who is close to that age) I'd have her visit a doctor to make sure she knew the potential problems and a psychologist to make sure it was really what she wanted, but if she was well informed and wanted to have the baby, I would not make her have an abortion and I would support her and the baby if she decided not to place it for adoption.

I think abortion is a great option and I'm very glad the option exists, but I worry about how difficult it would be to be forced to have one against your will and grow up wondering about what the baby would have been like. To choose an abortion is to be at peace with it, but to have it forced when you don't want it is to always wish it hadn't happened and to always regret it. At least I see that as the most likely end circumstance.

I believe pro choice means allowing choices that make us uncomfortable.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

56 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Pregnant 12 year old threatens suit to carry to term despite parents wishes [View all] elehhhhna Feb 2013 OP

Our opinion on your making it up? Silly,IMHO. virgogal Feb 2013 #1

oh my what a welcome and helpful response elehhhhna Feb 2013 #2

You asked for an opinion,I gave one. virgogal Feb 2013 #3

thank you, wise one elehhhhna Feb 2013 #13

Let her have the baby, if she does not want an abortion Drale Feb 2013 #4

Why make it up? It's happening in Texas. Only with a teen, not a 12-year-old. Brickbat Feb 2013 #5

That's actually my point. A 16 year old is one example, but elehhhhna Feb 2013 #8

no one should force anyone into having a baby or having an abortion cali Feb 2013 #15

Complete agreement on the Texas case REP Feb 2013 #17

world wide, but what about in the U.S? cali Feb 2013 #24

That's for 15-19 YOs; haven't had time yet to check on stats for 10-15 YOs REP Feb 2013 #25

Here's what I've found. As of 2007, cali Feb 2013 #26

That mortality table is for ALL deaths REP Feb 2013 #27

No 12 year old should be pregnant but once a 12 year old cali Feb 2013 #28

Funny I was just thinking about that. Kalidurga Feb 2013 #6

The parents are within their rights to tell the girl they won't raise their grandchild. pnwmom Feb 2013 #10

I think the parents also need to inform the child of the health risks at that age as well... Kalidurga Feb 2013 #14

I Believe anyone that wants an abortion should be allowed one newfie11 Feb 2013 #7

I personally could not force my daugher to have an abortion elehhhhna Feb 2013 #11

If I had been pregnant at 12, I wouldn't have been needed to be 'forced' into having an abortion REP Feb 2013 #16

I knew a 12 year old that was pregnant newfie11 Feb 2013 #19

It's her body, she should decide. Period. n/t pnwmom Feb 2013 #9

should she be allowed to drink alcohol? demwing Feb 2013 #30

None of those questions relate to her RIGHT TO CHOOSE pnwmom Feb 2013 #31

Obvious threat to physical and mental wellbeing... Lars39 Feb 2013 #12

A 12 year old is at higher risk for complications Ilsa Feb 2013 #18

I would feel sorry for everyone involved, but not have any sense that it was my business. slackmaster Feb 2013 #20

I know someone who had a baby at 13 gollygee Feb 2013 #21

I wouldn't let my nearly 12 year old BABYSIT a newborn. LeftyMom Feb 2013 #22

That isn't the issue. The right to privacy underpins every woman and girl's pnwmom Feb 2013 #33

Her body, her choice. However as 12 years old is too young for custody, the parents should... JVS Feb 2013 #23

I believe in a woman's right to choose demwing Feb 2013 #29

So everyone 17 years old and younger would not have the right to choose an abortion? OceanEcosystem Feb 2013 #32

Not what I said, is it? demwing Feb 2013 #34

Technically, everyone under the age of 18 is a minor. OceanEcosystem Feb 2013 #35

A 12 year old child is not a woman demwing Feb 2013 #36

MY 12 year old is pregnant. FOR REAL. MichelleB Apr 2013 #37

I am so sorry for your dilemma, MichelleB! Rhiannon12866 Apr 2013 #38

Thanks!! MichelleB Apr 2013 #39

Perhaps you need to talk to an attorney? Rhiannon12866 Apr 2013 #40

So frustrating. MichelleB Apr 2013 #41

Well, I happen to agree with you. She's way too young to make such decisions. Rhiannon12866 Apr 2013 #42

Wrong, it's her body and this is not life threatening Warpy Apr 2013 #52

Michelle, I just want to say... TeeYiYi Apr 2013 #43

grrr. no one should be forced to bear a child or have an abortion. NO ONE cali Apr 2013 #49

Welcome to DU, MichelleB. In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #44

Michelle. I reposted your question for you as an OP in General Discussion... TeeYiYi Apr 2013 #45

Her body her choice. Discuss adoption or try to find the father & his parents to discuss. JaneyVee Apr 2013 #46

Welcome to DU MichelleB! hrmjustin Apr 2013 #47

You cannot force your daughter to have an abortion and you certainly shouldn't have cali Apr 2013 #48

bullshit. ret5hd Apr 2013 #50

If her hands and feet are painfully swollen at 7 weeks, she needs medical care, stat. n/t winter is coming Apr 2013 #53

Assuming this is real... Captain Stern Apr 2013 #54

Here's some information. rug Apr 2013 #55

If you haven't reported the Aerows Apr 2013 #56

Difficult situation. ZombieHorde Apr 2013 #51