Let’s talk about it. No, really – let’s talk about it. I don’t know if it’s just me being nosy and scrolling through every comment section on Facebook or if y’all have also noticed this. For the past few days, a particular photo has been making the rounds. It’s been trending – and when I say trending, I mean everyone and their mother (literally) is talking about it. The photo shows a young girl, clearly still in high school or maybe just starting college, using her laptop, studying while holding a her baby, who is not even up to 24 hours years old.
Now, before anyone starts getting defensive, let me just say this: babies are blessings. But what happens when a baby shows up before the degree, the job, or even the stable boyfriend? What happens when a girl is walking around campus with a full belly and everyone’s whispering? Or when she’s taking her final exams with a baby literally kicking her insides?
Here’s the thing – I know a lot of girls who got pregnant in high school. Like, a LOT. And let me tell you, it was almost like a game of "Spot the Belly" during matric exams. You’d see a girl you’ve known since Grade 8, and suddenly she’s waddling to class, and you’re like, "Wait, when did that happen?"
And the way some people normalize it is wild. "Oh, it’s God’s plan," they say. "It was meant to happen." Sure, but did God also tell you to skip protection? Did God tell you to ignore every single life skill lesson they taught in Life Orientation? Did God hand you a baby along with the F in Business Studies? I don’t think so.
I remember one girl – let’s call her Sindi. Sindi was notorious for running her mouth, always in everyone’s business. Then, boom, one day she shows up with a belly, and suddenly the mouth running has to take a break because now she’s running home to take care of her baby. And let’s not even talk about her teachers. They were fed up. "Miss, I can’t hand in my assignment, my baby kept me up all night!" Well, Sindi, your teacher didn’t tell you to open your legs and skip protection. But somehow, the teacher is the bad guy for expecting you to do your work. Make it make sense.
And can we talk about how some parents handle this? Some are strict – like, Aftican strict. "You got pregnant? Pack your bags and go live with the baby daddy." Others are more chill – too chill, if you ask me. I know one girl whose mom was like, "It’s your life, sweetie. If you want another baby, that’s okay with me." What?! That’s how some girls end up with two or three kids by the time they finish matric. Then they leave the kids with grandma while they move to a new city, trying to start fresh like they weren’t the girl everyone gossiped about for nine months straight.
Now, let me be clear: I’m not saying girls who get pregnant are bad people. I’m saying actions have consequences. And if you knew the stove was hot, why did you touch it? "Oh, it was a mistake," they say. Girl, you did Business Studies with me. You know about full control, limited control, and no control. Let’s not play dumb.
So, what am I saying here? I’m saying that we, as young people, need to wise up. Protect yourself. Think ahead. Use protection. Or – crazy thought – just wait. And parents, let’s not normalize what isn’t normal. Call it what it is. Young people, let’s use the brain God gave us. You want to have a baby? Cool. But just know that baby is not going to change diapers itself. And grandma can only do so much.
So, next time you scroll through Facebook and see another girl trending for being pregnant in her school uniform, don’t just comment "Congrats." Think about what happens after the likes and the shares. And if you’re that girl – or the guy who got her pregnant – well, buckle up. The real work starts now.
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