TV midwives and this cruel betrayal of single mums

I don't think this article could be anymore pompous or stereotypical. It just seems like someone wanting to have another rant based on assumptions rather than actual facts.

'At 18, of course, Leanne is too young to understand just how difficult it will be to bring up her son, Alfie, without a father — not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. Nor does she have the faintest inkling of the likely consequences: that, as the son of a single mother, Alfie is far more likely to grow up in poverty, to do less well at school, to suffer from behavioural problems and depression, and to turn to drugs and heavy drinking.

What? I think the use of the words 'of course' essentially make me realise how pious the article writer is. How would a first time mum of 18 have any less understanding of the hardship of raising a child alone than an older mother? She speaks about this young girl as if she is an idiot. No statistics show that it's 'far more likely' for a child of a young, single parent to turn to drugs/be illiterate/live in poverty. I've seen this investigated before it's a low single number percentage increase.

Being a child of a single teen mother (she was 16) and having an amazing upbringing I can't see how I would have been any better off if her and my dad were together. I have a house, a fiance, a child and I'm applying to a midwifery degree...what else do I possibly need (a uni place )that married parents could of given me? .

Well said Catticus! Take with a whole bottle of salt, it is the Dail Fail after all and her article seems very much based on her own middle class assumptions of single motherhood and its consequences on children. I am a single mum, I have one child who is excelling academically at school, a 3 year old who is fab and is regularly complimented on this fact and I am trying very hard to become a midwife, not only for myself, but to raise them with aspirations! I was young (but not teenage (22)) when I had my first and I agree that i didn't have a clue what had just hit me when i had my first born, but i think this is the case for many many mothers these days. Particularly in light of the lives we lead often cut off from family by distance. A lack of education fails children on all levels and we should focus on children being raised in positive, life affirming, aspirational environments irrespective of how many parents they have.
I shall now dismount my soapbox

x

Well said ! My daughters God-mum is one of the loveliest mums around, works hard and is very committed; she gave birth to her daughter (who is the same age as my first girl) when she was 18. It's not about age, it's about attitude.

Can't believe that article, yes many people may have been married when having kids but j wonder how many hubby's were 'there' for wife and children and not forced into marriage due to her being pregnant. She needs to come into the real world. I always used to say it was better when my parents divorced (still is) i became happier for it due to no rows etc. The nuclear family is not always the best like she is saying

Jeezus - WHY did I read it!!?? BANG HEAD.

The teenage pregnancy rate now is lower than the 60's.... and to assume that their children WILL be x y and z. Christ.

And then to kind of automatically assume that 'single mothers' are or were teenage mothers or women that just 'had a baby for love'.

No dear - I had 2 babies with the man who was my soulmate and I was married to. I was (sort of - lol) the Daily Mail Dream (well on paper :wink but huge amounts of 'very big crap' meant my marriage broke down and now I am a 'single mother' and my children grow up watching good communication, good values blah blah blah.

That is far less damaging than being in a bad relationship!

Whilst working in maternity services I have been shocked by the amount of domestic violence I have encountered. It's probably the one thing that's shocked me. But of course it's OK if you're married - your kids will be just fine because you've got a bit of paper saying MARRIED.

Like SimpleSally says - I wonder how many 'marriages' back in the 50's were healthy, stable relationships were children never witnessed anything but a happy home.....

Sandra Parsons at her generalising, patronizing best. Can't read her articles without a doll nearby to stick pins in LOL

Have never read anything so patronizing in all my life, I had my first child at 17 (14 years ago) we went on to have 2 more children and got married 4 years ago. Just because someone is young does not mean they do not understand the responsibilities that come with parenthood and doesnt mean that their children are doomed. My son is looking at achieveing 15 GCSE'S at A* and is sitting 2 of his GCSE's early, with any luck I will be a qualified midwife in time to put him through university.
Her attitude stinks......

What alot of stereotypical, clique b********! Having grown up in an area which has the 2nd highest amount of teenage pregnancies in the UK - Nobody (I know of) has had a child for 'unconditional love' or for '£20 a week'! It's just an unexpected surprise! but this is what drives me to help these girls and give them the guidance and support they need. Parsons has completely exploited a tiny representation of teenage girls who admittedly fall pregnant just so they can get a council flat and dole; and this just makes me so angry when people who read *the daily fail* assume all teenage parents are like this!

Rant over x

my god Daily mail strikes again i feel my blood boiling after reading that! what a pointless article, obvioulsy 'normal' people do not think this way!

well said everyone!!