TV: Kizzy: Mum at 14

Felicity · #1 (**permalink**) 08-Aug-2008, 12:49

Just wondering if anyone saw this programme on BBC1 last night and how it made you feel.

I can't believe how badly some people treated Kizzy (and her family) whilst she was pregnant - beating them up, verbal abuse, etc. Bless her for filming her pregnancy, labour and life since to show other girls what it's really like and to try to persuade them to practice safe sex.

I was shocked to realise that Torbay has some of the poorest families in the UK - I guess it's easy to believe that mainly applies to inner-city families. And that Paignton has the highest teenage pregnancy rate. I live in Devon and have been to Paignton a number of times, and am considering doing my Access course at the college there that Kizzy was accepted into at the end of the programme. I just viewed Paignton as a normal seaside town, typical of south Devon (south and north Devon coastal towns are quite different).

Kizzy makes it clear that she loves her son (and who wouldn't, he seems adorable!) but that she doesn't advocate teenage pregnancy and knows she made a mistake. It must be hard for someone so young to have her personal life viewed by thousands for fear of prejudice, harassment and complete strangers slagging her off. But I say, good for her. There are so many horror stories of teenage girls becoming pregnant intentionally in order so that the government will give them a house to live in and money each week. These girls are usually single mums and only children themselves.

Anyway, that's my view of the programme. Other views welcome!

(Sorry about the random letters at the end of this sentence; the PC won't delete them!) ual, and

Doodle · #2 (**permalink**) 08-Aug-2008, 12:56

No I missed this, unfortunately. Do you know if there is a link to watch it again? x

Doodle · #3 (**permalink**) 08-Aug-2008, 12:58

I just found it http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b008h3jl/ I'm going to watch it now. Thanks FMKirby x

kittykat · #4 (**permalink**) 08-Aug-2008, 13:01

Yes i saw it, saw it on bbc3 ages ago so was nice to refresh my mind.

I agree with you that she obviously loves her son, but I believe she's doing her best and got a brilliant family around her. Nor can I believe the abuse her and her family suffered from the pregnancy. A child is something to celebrate not abuse. Overall I think she did the right thing, as her parents supported her and it seems like her baby is very well looked after and loved. If I had been in the situation I'd want positive people around me also.

Felicity · #5 (**permalink**) 08-Aug-2008, 13:09

I thought the same thing about the family - they seemed really nice and very supportive. :-)

TallPoppy · #6 (**permalink**) 08-Aug-2008, 13:10

o0o0o0 gotta pop out (cat to vets argh!) and then Im back and watching.. thanks for the link

midwifemissy · #7 (**permalink**) 08-Aug-2008, 13:14

I have seen it before, and i thought it was very well done considering it was a tv programme.

I feel it was very sad that the family were subjected to so much abuse. At the end of the day, it is a situation that they faced and coped with very well I thought, and they didn't deserve that.

It would be good to see a follow up programme now, to see how they are all getting on, not sure that will happen though.

smwife · #8 (**permalink**) 08-Aug-2008, 13:17

Yes, it was a good programme, disgusting how they were treated though

Thankyou for the link I'll watch it again

Bunny · #9 (**permalink**) 08-Aug-2008, 13:26

Enjoyed the program - she will be a good Mum, I'm sure and a lot of that seems to be to do with the excellent support structure she has.

I wasn't so comfortable with the way Kizzy's parents sometimes seemed to dominate her decision-making, but that might have been my own perception because of their anti-abortion stance.

Noo · #10 (**permalink**) 08-Aug-2008, 13:36

Bugger!!! I missed it AGAIN!!!! Gonna sort out my house for Duel's visit and prob watch the link later x