Girls, get pregnant in high school, and your life is over.
According to the CDC 50% of girls who become pregnant between the ages of 15 and 19 will not have a high school diploma by the time they are 22. This message has been received, but the public seems to forget about the dads.
Teenage fathers are often stereotyped as irresponsible Lotharios who will exit the scene as soon as they find out they have reproduced. Sophomore Tyler Johnson is one teen father who proves this idea incorrect.
“My initial thoughts were ‘ok, I need to get a job and how am I going to tell my parents?’” Johnson said.
Johnson helps to support his daughter along with his mother by having a daycare run out of their home, which allows him to see his daughter everyday.
A study following 400 teenage fathers showed after a two-year time period nearly 75% supported their child financially and over 80% had daily contact with their children according to a study funded by the Ford Foundation.
Junior Brooke Fox is the product of young, unmarried parents. Except for the first few years of her life, Fox’s biological father has not had an active role in her life.
“My biological mom and dad were dating, but not married or engaged,” Fox said. “When my dad found out my mom was pregnant, he offered to marry her, but he said he did not really want to.”
Fox’s mother decided not to marry her biological father, but he remained present in Fox’s life when she was little.
“My mom told me he was my babysitter so I would go over to his house sometimes when I was little and hang out,” Fox said. “I have a few very vague memories of him.”
Because Fox was adopted at age four by the man her mother married, she has not suffered any major effects of not having her biological father present in her life.
Parents as Teachers Coordinator Gayle Anderson is active in teenage parent groups at both high schools and the organization Dads of Douglas County, an organization that encourages the involvement of fathers in the lives of their children.
Anderson notes that there has been an increase in teen father participation in recent years.
“Even though the research about the importance of father involvement in a child’s life has been there for many years, we are seeing a slow growth of community awareness which is increasing involvement of the father, “ Anderson said. “We’re seeing places such as doctor’s offices becoming more and more father friendly. Instead of just asking the mother questions about the child, medical professionals are asking both parents making the father feel like his role really is important.”
“My advice to young fathers would be first, accept what has happened and take responsibility,” Fox said. “Second, realize that sometimes unexpected things happen and life and people should see them as blessing instead of burdens.”
If any teen parent wants more information regarding parent support groups at either high school they should call (785) 832-5680.