Waiting for a Family
By Kendra Caudill
Most BGSU students feel that it is important to wait until they are older and financially stable to get married and have children.
According to an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the rate of teenage mothers is dropping. In 1990, 13 percent of births were to teens and 9 percent were to women over 35. In 2008, 14 percent of newborns were born to mothers age 35 and older, and 10 percent were born to teenage mothers.
Many students feel that it is important to get an education and have a solid foundation before starting a family. An article from Fosters.com features the opinions of Gretchen Livingston and D’vera Cohn, authors of the PRC’s report, believe that more women are waiting to have children so they can focus on their education and career goals.
Some students feel that waiting is a great choice. Most of them know someone who has a child or someone that is already married. The students feel that the people with children have a hard time with finishing their education or reaching their financial goal.
Emily Meece, 19, of Pemberville, Ohio, an undeclared major, said her sister has a child. She said that since her sister has a child her sister’s life seems to be much harder, and that money is tight for her sister.
“I think it’s better to wait because you’re more responsible and more mature,” said Ashley Birch, 21, of Bryan, an international study major.
There are also the students who agree with waiting because they feel kids are a lot of work.
Mallary Means, 20, of Cincinnati, an education major, “I don’t plan on ever having kids!” she said “That is why I’m an education major, because I can send them home.”
Some students said they would date people who had different viewpoints as them or who had children already. They said that it just depends on the person and their connection.
Bruce Rader, 21, of McComb, a construction management major said, “I just wouldn’t put myself in that situation.”
Steven Malloy, 19, of Toledo, majoring in Psychology, “It all comes down to personal preference and the goals we set for ourselves,” he said.