Blog 1: Getting to Know You

I would like to see a contemporary narrative on young parents, and young mothers in particular. My cousin and her fiancѐ got pregnant when they were twenty years old. I distinctly remember family members saying that they were too young, couldn’t handle it, and were irresponsible. However, it has been nearly three years and they are doing wonderfully. I follow a woman on Instagram whose username is @earth.ozina and she is a young mother. I am not sure if there is a father in the in the picture. She is very untraditional and connected to the earth. She has a young daughter and is pregnant. The way she speaks about her children is beautiful, strong, independent, and spiritual. She is redefining my own idea and expectations of motherhood.

Being a young woman, I have to think about contraception and what I would do if I got pregnant. I cannot express the fear I carry around getting pregnant at a young age. The sad fact of the matter is that it isn’t because I don’t think I am capable, but rather I know I would receive shame for being a young mother from my family and a large portion of society. A man doesn’t have to carry the same shame and burden that a woman has to in such a situation. The shame placed on young mothers is a direct connection to the patriarchy and the oppression of women. It is society telling us that we are not as capable as a man and also oppresses our very sexuality. It also perpetuates the idea that pregnancy is a women’s fault. There is a reason that no form of male birth control exists.

I would like to see a contemporary narrative about a young mother because I think that it should not be seen as shameful or taboo. Young mothers can be great mothers. Women can do it all, and are strong enough to.

The following article argues that pregnancy is 100% the man's fault. For centuries shame and blame has been put on women. It is time for that shame to end. That is not equality. Young women should not have to live in fear of that shame.

https://www.good.is/articles/unwanted-pregnancies-men-at-fault?fbclid=IwAR0kYJnyOy5v-YMUffkf-jwdQ7S6BGfEcuo5EVj_DbhJchofioK_dU1nLuI