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Too Young?
Are You Too Young to Be a Parent?
By Shel Franco
Mary Williams, of Peoria, Ariz., and her husband of three years have two beautiful little girls. They have good jobs and they own their own home. To most people, the Williams' are living the American dream. And they achieved it all before they could legally share a toast of champagne to celebrate.
In a career-oriented society filled with people who are marrying in their late twenties and waiting for children until they are in their thirties, a small percentage of couples are ignoring the trends.
"I always knew I wanted to be a mom," says 21-year-old Julie Hammers of Portland, Ore. "A career is not important to me. I love my husband, and he loves me. So, why shouldn't we have kids?"
While the best time to have children varies greatly for every couple, there are a few factors anyone can consider before deciding whether to become a young parent.
Because pregnancy and motherhood are serious physical business, women in their early twenties have a distinct advantage over older women:
- Between the ages of 20 and 24, you are at your peak fertility.
- Your eggs have been around for just the right amount of time -- old enough to be fertile, yet young enough to contain fewer abnormalities.
- See what life is like for a young mom or mom-to be by reading the diaries of Liz
- See what life is like for a young mom or mom-to be by reading the diaries of Erin
- See what life is like for a young mom or mom-to be by reading the diaries of Chevie
- See what life is like for a young mom or mom-to be by reading the diaries of Angel
- Considering having a child alone? Read Choosing Single Motherhood
- If you've made the decision to try to conceive, read Planning to Conceive: How to Improve Your Odds
- If you've made the decision to try to conceive, take the Are You Ready to Try to Conceive? quiz.
