Teen pregnancy in the US is a tragedy of epidemic proportion. Sadly, it's the most under rated of all the social issues discussed by special interest groups.

The issue is as abandoned for resources in this country as the girls themselves are who grope blindly for help. There are 2 major social meters that measure the perception & tolerance levels of teen pregnancy in this country...apathy & denial.

Teen pregnancy is judged by society with swift condemnation as a condition of personal irresponsibility reflective of improper upbringing & immoral behavior. The pregnant girl is usually singled out for criticism as she alone bears the obvious implication of "fault".

She's viewed with distaste & dealt with in discreet silence. Too often, pregnant girls quickly become outcasts of their communities as soon as their "condition" becomes evident while other girls manage to hide their situation & suffer in silence & terror.

Is the word "terror" used out of context to describe this? No, there's not a word strong enough to define the feelings of fear, anguish & despair these young girls, young mothers, experience in their abandonment as boy friends, family & community turn their backs.

These girls have faces. These girls have names. These girls are mothers in need of love, nurturing, support, resources & information. They need to know their families & communities simply give a damn & are willing to hold them tight as they sort thru tough decisions in their lives. They need the information TO sort through, to make good choices - choices that will work in their individual situations.

As a culture we need to stop puritanizing our approach to the problem of teen pregnancy. We must face the real issues, those that go far beyond "she 'got' pregnant."

Ultimately, the pregnancy isn't the problem, support (or lack of) is. What do we say? What do we do? Where are the best resources? Can we rescue these girls from the sea of apathy that drowns them & how do we do it with love & respect?

It sometimes seems that as a society we are incapable of properly handling the issue of teen pregnancy because it's the single most "uninstitutionizable" sector of our social group. We love to institutionalize everything & we do it well.

Health care, education, birth, parenting, day care, senior care, families; we can file any one of these groups into lavishly provided institutions that are set up & subsidized for our convenience. But teen pregnancy can't be institutionalized. As a group these girls are marginalized in society almost as though they really don't matter. As though silence will best serve them. Is it any wonder that teen suicide rates are soaring?

Natural childbirth advocates can find themselves at an excellent advantage to provide resources. Community midwives are often regarded as more "approachable" & easier to talk to than conventional health care providers because of the one-on-one time they're willing to spend with people answering questions & concerns & educating. As a community resource & caregiver, how can you help? For the past few years, the Michigan School of Traditional Midwifery has presented a special segment during the annual midwifery skills workshops on the crisis of teen pregnancy. It's become an important "special feature."

Through intense, age appropriate role-playing the thought provoking program challenges midwifery students to become introspective about the contributions they might be able to provide as community resources. It's been a real privilege to learn that several students gleaned important key points from their workshop experiences that later helped them with real life teen pregnancy contacts.

If you're a midwife, childbirth educator or community care giver of any kind, investigate & compile your community resources. Then, make it part of your community contribution to become known as a teen pregnancy resource. How? Become an activist!!

Contact schools & social service agencies with a letter of personal introduction that lists available resources including books & videos you would be willing to share in an open forum.

Offer to host an evening discussion or round table forum at a local library for mothers & daughters.

Develop a 45 minute theme on the subject of teen pregnancy & offer yourself as a guest speaker to as many special interest groups as can be found in your yellow pages.

Contact hospitals & volunteer to labor support unsupported teen mothers.

Become a community sponsor as a teen pregnancy activist at community special events.

The idea is to get your community talking so that young mothers can get the important help & support they need. Do your part. Help surface the discussion of teen pregnancy. Doing so will get it the attention it deserves!

Mother Time Belly Masking

Mother Time Belly Masking