Letter: Irked by aid to teen moms
Although I have never written to a newspaper before your June 18th article, “He’s my only motivation,” about the teenage mother, left me compelled to do so.
Call me harsh but I am absolutely sick and tired of hearing about these young people who make bad choices, have children and are a drain on our society. Getting patted on the back and, God help me, helped with college scholarships while hard-working people like myself get nothing.
I had to leave home at 18, and because of my parents’ income could not receive financial aid until age 23. What was I to do? Have a baby? Go on welfare? Lock some guy into taking care of me? No. I learned a trade.
Now, I’m a 32-year-old truck driver who has never received help from anyone. I wonder if Ms. Fuentes will be one of the many arrogant drivers who cuts me off out there on (state Route) 99 in her Mercedes when she gets her law degree from Fresno State.
Cari Dusek,
Madera
What exactly did you expect her to do? Give up? Put the kid up for adoption and fall into despair? You left the house at 18, this person had a child (shame on you for calling someone’s child a bad choice btw, that’s not your place and certainly none of your business), and now has an opportunity to better both her life and the life of her child.
Lord forbid someone show some upward mobility with a bit of opportunity. Seems like you did the same kind of thing, albeit without a child or college education. Perhaps some education would have done well for you, that way you would have known better than to disparage a young parent for making the most of an opportunity.
Maybe a bit harsh? I think you’re more than a bit juvenile for using the woe is me defense for your attack on a parent. I hope that by the time you’re a 33 year old truck driver that you’ve learned a bit more about life.
I’m concerned about the teen moms you are reporting about. I was a teen mom in Madera in 1980. I married my babies father and had many years of physical and emotional abuse. He also abused our children. I think you should maybe point out the negative points of having an intimate relationship before you are mature enough to handle it. The struggles financially and emotionally you go through trying to be a single mother. And the struggles you unknowingly put your children through.