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Parents, if your teen became pregnant, would you send her out of town/state to a private home for girls?

Jhazzi asked:

Would a loving residential setting be a consideration you’d make so that she could avoid the embarassment, shame, ridicule and gossip of her familiar surroundings? Would this be old-fashioned nowadays or would you find a home for pregnant teens (16-19) a good idea? This home would provide life skills training, budgeting and financial planning, healthy lifestyle lessons, parenting skills, social etiquette and conversation skills and planned parenthood classes. Your daughter would be required to continue her education, volunteer at a Assisted Living Home and Journal her stay at the Home. This would be her “home away from home” and she’d share a room with another female. They would have housekeeping chores and be supervised 24/7, not imprisoned but not have unrestricted freedom, either. Do you feel such an environment would be advantageous for a pregnant teen? The father of the baby could visit only with parental consent. Families could visit anytime if not interferring with school.
“Sending” her out of town/state only if she wants to go, of course. If the decision was made to give the baby up for adoption instead of terminating the pregnancy, would a loving residential home be an option for her? She would be required to continue her education, attend planned parenthood classes, volunteer at a Assisted Living Home and enjoy social and cultural events, under 24/7 supervision. How much would you pay monthly for her care? She would be taught teambuilding, social etiquette and conversational skills, budgeting and finance and required to Journal her stay while at her “home away from home.” Please elaborate as much as you’d like. Remember, she is NOT being forced to go away. The decision is made as a family in her best interest and that of your grandchild. I’m interested in your detailed comments and feedback.
I see that using the word “send” was a poor choice. The question isn’t to cast flesh of your flesh and bone of your bone into medieval times for torture because she made a mistake. I appreciate all the answers coming in as it’s helping with my survey/research. I have posed the question on a more “regulated” site and have received quite different responses. I’m not looking for answers that pleases me. I want to know what parents think. Of course, I’ve no idea if parents are answering as well as kids. A more “controlled” study is being done. Keep the answers coming!
For the uninformed, there are many residential places for pregnant teens in the US today, all paid for by your tax dollars. They are for “bad girls.” Just so you’ll know also, the question isn’t aimed at a situation I know of personally. I am sure there are teenagers who wish their parents felt as most of you feel but the reality is, not all parents support their children. Not all parents are good parents, themselves! Thanks for your answers.

29 Comments

  1. boo wrote:

    i would consider this only if she wants to go.

    Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 5:03 am | Permalink
  2. Stryker wrote:

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    WHOA, what a great idea! Send her away when she needs her family the most! Is it year 2006 or 1956?

    Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 5:15 am | Permalink
  3. Dane wrote:

    If she decided she wanted to keep it, yes.

    Friday, August 27, 2010 at 6:06 pm | Permalink
  4. momie_2bee wrote:

    I would help her to be a good mother and teach her that you can’t run from your mistakes and If my teenage daughter came home pregnant I’d consider it my fault for not educating her and being a good enough parent!!!!

    Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 11:51 pm | Permalink
  5. isaacj100 wrote:

    gsa consultants

    yes. I’d beat her black and blue. But i won’t send her out. Instead i’d gun I mean GUN down the bastard boyfriend

    Monday, August 30, 2010 at 4:43 pm | Permalink
  6. hausfrau31557 wrote:

    gsa auctions

    Only if she wants to go. It seems pretty out-moded. A friend of mine did that 30 years ago when she was pregnant. She wound up leaving – she was over 21….. Personally I’d keep her home and see her thru it – and do everything the home was doing. I think a pregnant woman needs as much emotional support as she can get from family and loved ones during the time as they are terribly hormonal (don’t you remember what it was like?)?

    Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 11:23 pm | Permalink
  7. Lindsey Lovato wrote:

    If my teen was immature–of course I would. If I felt she wouldn’t have a hard time with a baby–then I think she should make her own choice. I wouldn’t like it that the father (boyfriend) wouldn’t be able to live with. I think it’s just as important to educate teen fathers as it is to educate teen mothers. Of course, I would hope that I could have taught her how do do everything you mentioned, if she just “didn’t get it”–I’d for sure send her to a place like that.

    I wouldn’t send her to a place like that to save myself shame or embarassmet–I’d be a grandma and I’d have to brag! I’d send her because that’s what would be best for her to learn to be a great parent and independent mother.

    Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 5:48 pm | Permalink
  8. Lisa wrote:

    government bailout package

    No. I would want to help you as much as I could. However if she was set on going to a private home then I would suport her with her decision but I wouldn’t force her to go.

    And I really dont think there is that much ridicule now. I mean there are so many girls who get pregnant young. Younger people tend to be more accepting today due to all the diversity.

    Friday, September 3, 2010 at 1:22 pm | Permalink
  9. Cailin C wrote:

    easy school fundraisers

    There is no way I would send my baby away!!! That is a time when girls need thier parents the most! When I was prego with both of my children, I needed my parents advice on EVERYTHING!!!

    Sunday, September 5, 2010 at 10:41 pm | Permalink
  10. government bailout companies

    Although I think all the above mentioned classes would be very beneficial to a pregnant teen…I don’t agree with sending her away. She needs to be close to her family, especially her mother during this time and even if the reason for sending her away is to better herself for her future….that’s kinda like adding to the shame and guilt you mentioned by making her stay away from everyone. No reason she still can’t walk around with her head held high, knowing she is going to be a good mother, a responsible one and that she does have a future in sight. I would be so worried about my own daughter if she were pregnant and I sent her away….after all, doesn’t a mother know best? I would share every bit of information with my own daughter from my own experiences and make sure she had some sort of classes to prepare her for motherhood and adult life. She needs good information about living and such but she needs to be shown love and support as well….I say keep her home, tell her not to feel ashamed of her pregnancy and help her to find an organization that can be of help to her in your city. Best of luck!!

    Monday, September 6, 2010 at 6:51 am | Permalink
  11. tatty wrote:

    I don’t think that sending her out of down is going to help her everyone in this world make mistake all you can do is talk to her and be there for and the baby don’t worry what other people have to say they always talk alot of shit that your daughter and u need to be there for her

    Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 9:58 am | Permalink
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    Heck no! I think thats just crazy to be ashamed and send your kid away. Obviously they were lacking in some sort of education or guidance for them to have gotten pregnant. It happens. Sometimes its just a bad decision on their part. But guess what, its 2006. Its not old fashioned as you say anymore. Yes, society frowns upon it, however your daughter should remain at home with her family and her family should see fit that she attends school regularly, goes to her prenatal exams, maybe enrolling in some parenting classes or something.

    But to put them in exile basically is just wrong. Thats when your kids need your love and support the most and its no good to just send them away. Face the problems head on and go from there. Dont try to avoid it.

    Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 7:58 pm | Permalink
  13. lilredhead wrote:

    gsa contractors

    wow .. were re-living 1950 hu ? ..

    No way would i do that to my daughter EVER.
    At that Point in her Life she would Need Mom & Dad more than EVER. Support during a pregnancy is VERY VERY important, an it needs to come from the family. NO way in Hell would i ever send my Daughter off to some place like that. She could get all the training She needs from her MOM , who has been though it before.

    Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 6:47 am | Permalink
  14. geminiblue26 wrote:

    easy fundraisers that

    It’s wrong to send her away like your ashamed of her. That’s some shit they did in the old days/

    Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 12:44 am | Permalink
  15. Apple21 wrote:

    gsa

    I don’t think that hiding is a solution to any problem. Yes, she engaged in pre-marital sex and yes, she failed to use protection. However, where is the shame? People will gossip about her regardless of what she does in life. So, no, I wouldn’t send my daughter away. I would help her face up to a mistake (sex before marriage & unprotected sex), lovingly accept the child (which, btw, is not a mistake), and learn to be a responsible adult.

    I do believe the home you describe above is great for girls who are forced out of their homes by parents. It would be a refuge, not to hide them away, but rather to help them with their new role in life.

    Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 9:57 pm | Permalink
  16. Bella wrote:

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    the only reason i would ever do that, it because she’s giving the baby up for adoption and the less people know about her being pregnant, the better for her to deal with the situation once it is over.
    but then this would also be at her consent.
    personally, having every mother go through some sort of training this intense wouldn’t be such a bad idea in the first place. especially for first time mothers. being pregnant is very tiresome and stressfull.

    Friday, September 17, 2010 at 5:28 pm | Permalink
  17. missionhtg wrote:

    government bailout explained

    Maybe, maybe not. I can see both sides of the story. Not necessarily to shelter her from the shame/ embarrassement aspect, but to teach her the life skills that she will need from an outside third party person perhaps. Only if she wanted to and was fully willing to participate, though. On the other hand, you can keep her in school, let her learn to deal with the glares and looks that she may, or may not, get from others because she is a teen mom, and be there to show her what she needs to know. Of course, preparation will be key. Don’t wait until after the baby is born to have her start taking parenting classes. Start showing her financial responsibility immediately, etc. and the father should be involved in all this too. He needs to have the same share and responsibility as the mother—it takes two to tango as the old saying goes.
    Ultimately the parent needs to sit with the teenage daughter and decide what avenues would be best in the situation. Weigh out all the options of staying home and going away, and determine in the long run what would be the best way to raise the new baby properly.

    Monday, September 20, 2010 at 4:53 am | Permalink
  18. jcleary555 wrote:

    gsa supply

    if she wants to go she should go for the lessons and to maybe be more prepared for the baby but you shouldn’t force her or anything like that. you’d just be asking for trouble if you try to make the decisions for her at this point.

    Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 8:22 pm | Permalink
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    I’M A PARENT AND A TEEN MOTHER, I THINK SENDING A PREGNANT TEEN AWAY WOULD BE LIKE SAYING THAT YOU ARE EMBARASSED MORE SO THAN SHE. MY PARENTS DIDN’T SEND ME AWAY WHILE THEY DIDN’T AGREE WITH WHAT I DID THEY ALSO DIDN’T SHUN ME. I WAS ALREADY TERRIFIED SENDING ME AWAY WOULD HAVE MADE THAT EVEN WORSE. I FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL AND HAD THE PARENTING CLASSES AS WELL, I DIDN’T HAVE TO SENT AWAY TO LEARN THESE THINGS. A LOT OF PARENTS WHO DO THIS WANT TO SPARE THEIR FEELINGS,NOT THEIR DAUGHTER’S THEY ARE THE ONES WHO DON’T WANT THE STARES AND WHISPERS AND QUESTIONS. NOW THAT I AM A PARENT IF I HAD A DAUGHTER WHICH I DON’T I WOULD TALK TO HER LONG BEFORE PREGNANCY. A LOT OF PARENTS LEAVE IT TO THE SCHOOL TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN ABOUT SEX, NOT ME I’M VERY BLUNT THERE ARE NO BIRDS AND BEES HERE, JUST GIRLS AND BOYS MEN AND WOMEN INTERCOURSE,AIDS,AND PREGNANCY.SO NO I WOULD NOT SEND MY CHILD AWAY FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO TEACH HER WHAT I’M CAPABLE OF TEACHING HER.

    Friday, September 24, 2010 at 3:14 am | Permalink
  20. Ryan's mom wrote:

    gsa contract

    As long as they were not being pressured into making a decision like adoption if they were opposed to it…that’s what a lot of the homes for young pregnant girls did in the past. They would (And the parents) force them to give the baby up. The father of the baby should not have to have the parent’s consent, unless the girl is under the age of consent, and he was over 18. It is important to have the father of the baby involved if they wish to be.

    Friday, September 24, 2010 at 7:25 am | Permalink
  21. Lydia wrote:

    It is a good idea only if she wants it and its a last resort. But to me who better then the girls parents to be there and help her learn who she is and about real life and to be there when she needs your shoulder the most. And about gossip and embarrassment if she is 16 -19 she’s probably already heard some of the worst things possible. But honestly right know she would need her friends and families support and love her every day not strangers.

    Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 5:43 pm | Permalink
  22. audreylin00 wrote:

    First I dont think anyone should be ashamed or embarrassed of being pregnant, it happens to teens everywhere and they face it, At a time like this she will need me the most not some place where they will teach her things I can teach her with love or we can learn together. I miss my parents so much now that I’m pregnant even though they live just hours away and I’m an adult just imagine how much harder it will be for a teenager. I would keep my child with me because there are so many things that only moms can understand and nobody would treat her or make her feel better than me. Those people will be strangers to her and I wouldn’t want her to adapt to another situation when she is already adapting to the biggest thing in her life having a baby

    Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 5:42 am | Permalink
  23. sassycitegal wrote:

    government foreclosure bailout

    Sounds like you have this all figured out. So unreal in this day and age. First of all, I would most definitely not send my child away. The first thing I would do is tell my child that I love her and will stick by her no matter what decision she makes. It is the child’s decision whether she wants to keep the baby, give it up, abort and whatever the child decides, you must stick by her. You don’t want to make that decision for her and then get it thrown up in your face years down the road. No way. I love my child enough to let her decide what she wants to do and then abide by her decision and stick by her.

    Friday, October 1, 2010 at 7:20 pm | Permalink
  24. crystal_pepzi wrote:

    That whole thing sounds like something out of a “Troubled Teen” advertisement.
    I became pregnant with my son when I was 16 and I know if my parents had sent me away to some boarding school like that I would of been heart broken. It was a very emotional and troubling time in my life and I know that without my parents love and support I don’t think I could of lived through it.
    So in short, No, I would never send my daughter (even though I don’t have one) away to a place like that.

    Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 3:37 am | Permalink
  25. lovergirl wrote:

    easy fundraisers that

    no i wouldn’t send my kid away. why run from the problem, so ur daughter feels like shes nothing and that her parents gave up on her its not fair. you had this child y hide from it. i don’t believe that a parent could walk away from there kid. if it was my kid i would stand by herside NO MATTER WHAT!!! cause she came out of me and thats my responsibilty as a parent. i’m not going to hide from the problem it will only get worse if u do not better

    Monday, October 4, 2010 at 8:20 pm | Permalink
  26. angie_laffin927 wrote:

    Never, if my daughter had fears about the current place and didnt want to face scrutiny, I would move with her. I would never send her anywhere alone to go through the scariest thing ANY woman ever goes through. Wouldn’t happen, and frankly, I think you are a crap parent if you would.

    Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 7:22 pm | Permalink
  27. i_do_not_like_stupidity wrote:

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    i do not have children, but if I had a daughter, I would take her to planned parenthood, not send her to a home.

    Friday, October 8, 2010 at 9:07 am | Permalink
  28. sinistermooess wrote:

    gsa contractors

    Are you kidding me? I suggest reading, “the girls who went away” If you want a realistic view of what maternity homes were like back in the day. Avoiding the embarrassment and shame, ridicule and gossip? I wasn;t aware we were still living in the 50′s. This question makes me sick, should this girl not be allowed to carrying this baby in familiar surroundings with people who love her, instead of being shipped to a strange place to deal with her “shame” essentially by herself? Yes if she chose it, its a different story, but I can almost guarantee that if a place like this were available today, that alot of parents with antiquated views (read religious views) would be sending their daughters their regardless of whether they wanted to or not. Read the book its heartbreaking, and may open some eyes about adoption and its history.

    Monday, October 11, 2010 at 1:24 pm | Permalink
  29. cutenwild1769 wrote:

    realtor partnerships

    My mom tried to do that to me when i was pregnant i dont think anyone should be “ashamed” of being pregnant now a days. Girls are having children younger and younger and they dont care what there family or freinds think. it’s overrated. A place that supervises you 24.7 wow how lucky she must be….{not} Who would like there privacy invaded in that way? and maybe if she was more supervised before she got pregnant she wouldnt be this way. Supervision is a little too late now dont you think? If it was the girls choice to go there she wanted that not because of her family pressuring her just wanted too then yeah go for it different strokes for different folks! But the parents should be there to support her how fair is it for her to be feeling all these things and her parents drop in on her once in while? thats stupid….

    Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 2:54 pm | Permalink