Teen Moms & Education

Recently teen pregnancy has been a popular topic across many media outlets. MTV’s show, Teen Mom, has attracted the attention of many viewers because the spectator gets to see the lifestyle and daily interactions of actual teenage parents in the real world. It also appeals to many viewers because they can relate; due to the increment of adolescent pregnancy. A great portion of the viewers are or were teenage parents, or have a family member or close friend who became pregnant during their adolescence. Parents and teachers hope that such shows and recent public discussions of the subject bring awareness to adolescents so that teen pregnancy can be prevented or decreased. To a degree the programs are educational because they demonstrate the importance of a high school diploma. On the other hand, the storyline sends a message that it is extremely difficult to obtain a high school diploma if you are a teen parent, and attending college seems even less feasible. The importance of the role education plays in the protagonists’ lives and their families is overshadowed by the dramatic events and quarrels that bring higher ratings. 

Angelica Medina, who became a mother at age 19 to her now two-and-a- half year old son, Isaac Aguayo, is a heroic figure—a mother who does it all. Unlike the MTV program’s perspective, Angelica believes education should not be overlooked but something on which to focus a bit more intently. In an interview with Latinos in College she shared the mix of excitement and displeasure her family and friends expressed after discovering her pregnancy. The undertone fit the stereotype many people have of teen mothers, and the belief that “there go all your dreams,” as she stated. Angelica knew it was not going to be easy to balance work and life but eight months after giving birth she enrolled in college as a full-time student, had a part-time job soon after and still had mom duties.

Angelica said that she always knew she would go back to school and would fulfill her dreams. In our conversation she said that the transition into motherhood was difficult at first, but her child became her complete motivation to return to school. She affirmed that “There’s always a way,” and advises all mothers who need support to look into the many free programs available. Many people are unaware of the government-funded programs such as daycare that are disposable to teen mothers because they are not mentioned in television programs or are hardly advertised publicly. Instead, people are convinced that you need to have a supportive father figure or family to get by. Angelica also gives a tip for mothers who want to continue their education but feel that they are betraying their child: “I made reading and writing important to Isaac. He sees me doing that and so I bought him child-like books he can write on so he can mimic me. It’s like we’re doing an activity together.” 

Now, a year away from receiving her college degree, Angelica continues to see the importance of cultivating education in her family. She stated: “Education is everything. In order to nurture and teach my son I need to keep learning. The more educated I am the more involved I can be in his life, I need to serve as an example in his life.” Many mothers do not acknowledge that education can be very important to raise your child because you become his or her role model and you become more relatable when he or she starts school. It may be difficult to attend classes, work, and be a mother all at the same time but there are people and free programs that are willing to help. More importantly, the end result is worth it. With a college degree you substantially increase your career opportunities and the income while the level of unemployment you may experience throughout your life will drop to half of what it would be without a degree.

Every mother has an individual story but as Angelica mentioned “There is always a way… don’t be afraid or too proud to ask for help.”