The Real Super Women: Mommies in College

Researchers, authors, and even politicians have shed the light on teen pregnancy and its effects on society for years. But what about those “super women” who become pregnant in college and overcome all obstacles while racing toward the finish line.  According to Kansan.com, about 3 million women experience unexpected pregnancies in the US each year, and most are between the ages of 15 and 24.  The news of an unplanned pregnancy is a shocker to any woman.  But that news to a woman enrolled in college trying to attain her degree, can be news that would change her life forever.  So with school, a baby, and sometimes work, how does one survive unexpected pregnancy while in college?  According to Wendi A. Story, a Masters student at Virginia State University, some women experience a developmental process in their response to the unplanned pregnancy, moving from a position of  irresponsibility to a position of responsibility.  Every woman's experience is different and worth being told.

Abortion? Hell no…

Saadia Newsome, a senior at St. Augustine College, became pregnant during her sophomore year at Johnson C. Smith University.  Like any other unplanned pregnancy, the news to Saadia’s family was jaw dropping.  Despite being conceived within a committed relationship, Saadia’s mom was unpleased with the decisions her daughter had made.  “She felt like the dreams she had for me, were over,” said Newsome. “But they weren’t, they were just beginning.”  Her pregnancy was emotionally stressful so Saadia decided to take a year off from school. A few of Saadia’s friends tried to convince her to have an abortion but because of her beliefs, Saadia never once thought about aborting her unborn child.  According to USA Today reporter, Rachel Jones, women in their 20s account for more than half of abortions.   They are also more vulnerable population when it comes to unintended pregnancy and abortion.  Saadia struggles through the hard times, and is due to graduate this fall with a Bachelor’s degree from St. Augustine College.

Bad News Always Comes in 3s

Leticia also got pregnant during her sophomore year of college. She was in a committed relationship with the man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with. Three weeks after she found out she was pregnant, Leticia’s mom suddenly died from cancer. Not only was she going to be pregnant in college, but also now her major support system had been altered with the death of her mom.  Little did she know, a few months later, she would become a single mom.  Her boyfriend did not stick around for the birth.  With her dedication and determination, Leticia decided to take three semesters off from school, to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth.  Leticia returned started back at a local community college and then transferred to Johnson C. Smith University, where she graduated with honors.  “Having a baby while in college is not easy, but God doesn’t give us more than we can bare,” said Leticia. “I could have given up, I could have aborted my unborn child, but what kind of person would I be to throw in the towel. My mother didn’t raise me like that.” 

Greatest Accomplishment

Helena’s story was a little different.  Helena found out about her pregnancy her senior year of college. “It was very stressful,” said Helena in our one and one interview. She continued to explain how everyone around her thought it was the biggest mistake of her life.  With little encouragement, she held her head high and continued towards what would be her greatest accomplishment. Helena graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from Savannah State University one month after the birth of her son.  Helena has little financial support but has a stable household, which she shares with her son’s father who is also her fiancé.   According to The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, increasing the proportion of pregnancies that are wanted and welcomed by both parents helps reduce child poverty and income disparities. In Helena’s case, because her unplanned pregnancy became a wanted pregnancy, the struggles she endured were only financial.

According to About.com, the high rate of unintended pregnancy is worrisome, suggesting that these young women may not be as in control of their sexuality and childbearing as one would hope.  Addressing the issue on college pregnancies is becoming more prevalent in today’s society.  In future years more and more research will be done on this rising epidemic.

Education vs. Baby vs. Abortion = Success??

Raising a child while attaining a college degree is very hard work.  According to Courtney Hans, a single mom, having a support system is imperative in the success of going to college and raising a baby.  According to Kansan.com, about 3 million women experience unexpected pregnancies in the US each year, and most are between the ages of 15 and 24.  “Making the decision about what to do about the pregnancy is the hardest thing to do,” said Erin, in an Article entitled, “Unexpectedly Expecting.” Another pregnant college student named Vanessa told her story in that article as well. She aborted her unwanted pregnancy after 5 weeks.

Abortion is a topic that most women in college are faced with went an unplanned pregnancy occurs.  According to “Abortion rates decline overall, increasing in poor,”

an article by USA Today, reported low-income women as having 514, 040 abortions.  That is 42% of all abortions in 2008.   “While some women are getting better at preventing unplanned pregnancy, it’s a reflection on women in poverty who have limited access to birth control methods,” said Willie Parker to USA Today.  “The struggle of finishing is just so hard,” said Katie to reporters of the Kansan.  “That’s why keeping the baby is such a hard decision to make.” Obstetrics and Gynecology reports that 39.9 thousand women between the ages of 20-24 have received abortions in 2008.  USA Today reports that at least 4 in 10 pregnancies in every state were unwanted or mistimes, according to the first-ever-state-level analysis of unintended pregnancies.  

According to that analysis, the District of Columbia, and 29 other states reported that more than half of the pregnancies were unintended.  So with school, a baby, and sometimes work, how does one survive unexpected pregnancy while in college? According to Associated Content by Yahoo, the first thing to be done is to carefully evaluate your particular situation.  Secondly, think about college vs. pregnancy. Will you be in the middle of the semester at the baby’s due date? Are your classes far ways from each other? Depending on your situation you may or may not want to enroll in a smaller university. And lastly, you may need some time off from school to breathe and map out your new life with your new baby.

Stay tuned to this blog for more on college mom statistics…how many college moms actually earn a degree?

Unplanned Pregnancy Rates

The news of an unplanned pregnancy is a shocker to any woman.  But that news to a woman who is in college trying to attain her degree, can be detrimental. Many of my friends have overcome the trials and tribulations of being a college mommy.  This is why I have decided to write my article on this topic. I would like to share their stories as well as some significant data with my readers.  I found many data visualizations that would be able to give me a good foundation in my article.

Although it is not as current as I would like it to be, this data is important because it shows how the unplanned pregnancy rate has not made a dramatic change since 1981 for females ages 15-44. My article will mainly tell the story of the unplanned pregnancy amongst college friends, but having other data to compare is very important.

ARE YOU "PRO CHOICE" OR "PRO LIFE?"

According to the Chicago Tribune, the first statutory abortion regulation was enacted in 1821 in the state of Connecticut to protect women after their fourth month of pregnancy from induced abortion by poison.  Little did they know, abortion would become one of the biggest controversies of all times.  Merriam Webster defines abortion as induced expulsion of a fetus.  Abortion, a topic that was not spoken upon, has now made it into many headlines and into our own homes, our hearts and our minds. 

According to a recent Gallup poll, 45% of Americans believe that abortion is wrong, and 49% believes that whatever the woman chooses is fine. These percentages haven't change much. Last year "pro life" Americans stood at 47% and "pro choice" Americans stood at 45%. CSNNEWS.com, reports that the survey was done on 1,018 Americans asking them whether they considered themselves "pro life" or "pro choice."

Katha Pollitt, author of Abortion in American History, states that the number one reason why people are against abortions is because in their opinion its murder.  She goes on to explain that "almost half American women have terminated at least one pregnancy, and millions more Americans of both sexes have helped them, as partners, parents, health-care workers, counselors, and friends.

According to Choice Matters, some popular reasons why people are against abortion is because of the medical complications that can derive from the procedure. Some people also believe that having an abortion is punishing the unborn child, and causes intense psychological pain and stress.  Whereas, American Psychological AssociatioN found that stress is greatest prior to the abortion.  Pro choice believers feel that abortion is a safe medical procedure and women should have complete control over their bodies. 

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Abortion is not only a big controversy in America, but also across the World.  In many countries Abortion is legal in certain circumstances.  In Afghanistan, Abortion is only legal if it threatens the life of the woman. In Bangladesh, Abortion is legal but only in the 1st trimester. In other countries like Chile, El Salvador, Malta, and Venezuela, there is no exceptions to Abortion, it is illegal (PregnantPause.org).  Abortion will continue to be debated today, tomorrow, and years to come. You choose, are you "pro choice" or "pro life?"