Parenthood of a Teen
I remember my early days of pregnancy, I felt okay since people
did not notice that I was pregnant. Teen pregnancy can cause people to look at you with lots of judgement, something that adds on the weight one is feeling both emotionally and physically. I considered arbotion in fear of being rejected by family and judged by my community,
I am thankful that the Doctor told me I was well advanced in pregnancy and so arbotion was no longer an available option. When my family found out they were highly disappointed in me and I felt like I had let them down.
But in that whole experience something good and heartwarming came out of it! I gave birth to someone who became a meaning to my very existence. My baby boy Amulekani was the best thing to ever happen to me, the experience I went was worth it at the end as my family accepted the wonderful gift from God. Kids are such a blessing and I am planning to have lots of them, the key word there is “planning”, something that I did not do at 17. Everything has it place and time in life, falling pregnant is gift and a blessing but falling pregnant at the wrong time can make the experience the most unpleasant and unenjoyable.
After my pregnancy I still went on to complete my Grade 11 and finished school. Currently I am a job seeker and planning to further my studies.
I imagine my next pregnancy experience to be something totally different to what I went through! If the results of pregnancy produce such a wonderful gift then I believe it should be a wonderful experience, with challenges yes but still a beautiful experience. So my parting words to other girls “Books before boys”.
Almost 200 girls from Grade 3 to Grade 5 fell pregnant between 2014 and 2016 according to Minister of Basic Education Minister Angie Motshega. Minister said she was saddened that small children were falling pregnant in such high numbers. “It has become a major social, systemetic and fiscal challenge not only for the Basic Education Department but crucially for National Development” Motshega said. Congratulating moms who gave birth on New Year’s Minister of Health Dr. Aron Motsoenang said the nation is in trouble after witnessing high number of teenagers giving birth in various hospitals. TMS decided to talk to someone who has gone through the experience. Report compiled by Rifilwe Mereyotlhe.
My name is Vutlharhi Masangwanyi, I fell pregnant at the age of 17 doing Grade 11. Falling pregnant at that age was rather an experience which I was not prepared for. With no financial support it made the experience a lot tougher. Falling pregnant requires support on every level, the absence of that support structure can be devastating.
Tag My School//the timeline//1st issue
July - September 2017
BY REFILWE MEREYOTLHE
09