I want to change things up and talk about the boyfriends of these pregnant teenage girls. Here is an article from The New York Times which talks about the relationship between Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin. Basically Levi left Bristol and I don't know the story behind why he left her and now he is fighting for custody of son Tripp. He didn't like Bristol family much and talked bad about them. After he left her he was unhappy and angry. He wanted to make thing right so he apologizes to the family and he hoped that the Palins would “forgive my youthful indiscretion." is what he said.
After reading this article it made me think about all the media and tv shows about teenage pregnany and how most of the guys leave their girlfriends and don't come back. But there are a few that do come back and want to be part of the babys life. Those guys either grew up or realized that its time to be responsible. I want to know what was going through Levi head when his son was born because guys don't talk about there feelings becuase they want to act tough.
My Question: Why do you think some boyfriends leave there girlfriends and don't come back. If the boyfriend leaves then decides to come back later what changed their mind? Should he even get another chance to be part of the babys life again? Could is sometimes be better for the baby to grow up without a father? why or why not?
-Jamie B.
i think it's a number of things at work here. firstly, the socialization of males to see parenthood as less important for them than for the mother. they are told it is not their place, it's unmanly to want to care for a child, so on and so forth. i think this socialization plus the young age and the ignorance about real life consequences equals men leaving these women. i think it's a fallacy to say that it's always better for a child to grow up with a father and mother. if either parent is unwilling and/or incapable of caring for the child, they shouldn't. it's better to have one caring parent than one caring parent and one parent that couldn't care less.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason that some boyfriends leave their girlfriends after they have the baby is because they get scared. All of the responsibility on such a young couple is a lot of pressure and stress. No one even in their 30s can be ready for how much their life will change once they have a child. In the case of 16 & Pregnant, I think that when the boyfriend leaves and comes back is because they have seen their episode and maybe realized how much of an ass they are being and how immature they are acting. I personally think that if the father of the baby thinks that its ok to leave and come back whenever he feels like it, he does not deserve to be in the babies life, at least not until he can grow up and deal with his mistakes. It's not fair to the mother who has to stay there with the baby all the time to have the father come and go as he pleases.
ReplyDelete-Sam F.
I definitely agree with both of the above comments, I think the men are both told they do not have as much responsibility and they are also afraid. It is always easier in any situation to run away because it seems to fix the situation, though it is not usually that effective in the long run. When the mother of the child automatically assumes full responsibility for him or her, it makes it very easy for the father to disappear. Even if the mother wants the father to be involved, I think he often will still think it is less intimidating and easier for him to continue his youthful lifestyle without much involvement in the child's life.
ReplyDeleteI think it's important for a child to have multiple role models, for sure, though I do not think it is necessary for the biological father to be one of them. As long as the child has positive and loving influences growing up, they'll turn out alright.
-Ami J.