THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 3, 1996 TAG: 9608030021
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 36 lines
Michele Baird (``Having children the `right' way is hard too,'' letter, July 19) seems to think the article ``Kasey and Mariah'' (Sunday Break, July 14) regarding the life of a teen mother was written to evoke sympathy or to condone Kasey's choices.
On the contrary, I found the articles to be a realistic account of how a young girl's life can drastically change due to pregnancy. It didn't paint a glamorous picture - holding a crying baby while trying to take a make-up exam, trying to keep up with school assignments with little sleep, daily chores to help meet expenses, diapers, feedings, illnesses, missing out on prom and graduation and the stark reality that the odds are stacked against her.
Ms. Baird mentions that Kasey ``drops the kid with her mom and goes out `to be young.''' The difference now is that while out with her friends, she can get beeped to come back home to tend to her baby.
After reading Kasey's story, I immediately gave it to my 16-year-old daughter and my 18-year-old son. To read a personal account of how a teenager's once-carefree days are now replaced by the demands of a baby has more impact than hearing it from a parent.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning the choices she made. Yes, it was her decision to have sex and her decision to keep the baby. However, this is reality. Whether you agree with her or not, teens are faced with these decisions and they need to know what life will be like if they choose to keep their babies.
I hope Kasey's story will send a message to other teens: If you become pregnant, you'll have tough decisions to make; and no matter what you choose, your life will be forever changed.
ELLEN S. MAGILL
Chesapeake, July 20, 1996 by CNB