why are parents letting their kids have kids?

I think that with all these shows like "Teen Mom", teenagers see them on TV and on all these magazine covers and think it's cool. I was at the grocery store and the teenager in front of me was looking at a magazine cover with one of those girls on it and said " I need to get pregnant and be on that show, they get famous and paid, and pregnant get so much attention!" Unbelievable!! They don't think of the long term commitment. That's why most of the time, the grandparents end up raising the baby. 

Becca,

I was just commmenting on young mothers THAT I SEE EVERYDAY. I am stating facts. I have nothing against teen moms. I have quite a few friends that got pregnant when they were in high school. Also, I didn't say every teen mother was ignorant. Good for you and your FOB for taking care of your little one without any help. Unfortunately, the majority of teen moms are not like you...nor are they capable. I understand why you were defensive, but none of us are judging you.  Also, I think I stated abstince education does not work and young girls need to be more informed. So, please don't accuse me of judging you. I think we are on the same side here.

I know. This is America! I agree there definitely needs to be bc and condoms distributed at the doctor's office and at the nurse's office at the high school. I wish that ALL parents would talk to their kids and tell them what happens when they have sex at age 12. It cost a million dollars during a child's lifetime to raise them now. Plus, you are a parent for 24 hrs. a day unless you do end up getting a job and get child care for part of the day. The parents should ask their kids if they want all their free time taken away, money and if like to cleaning up other people's messes. The kids would say, "No," of course.

I know a girl (above 18) that had sex w/o protection to get back at her ex boyfriend. Yes, she got pregnant, used government assistance programs and got free housing out of the deal. My point is, it isn't just the under age ones that are causing the "problem". It is the ignorant adults (parents usually). Divorced parents have a harder time keeping up with the child if they are always switching back and forth to the other parents house. If I had a teenager, and my ex didn't agree to let the child use protection, you'd have a problem there. And the parents that have to work two jobs to feed their kids can't always keep an eye on them. I don't remember any talk of birth control when I went to high school and I remember girls in my classes that were pregnant. No one talked to me about safe sex.

oceana brooks,

because a kid is going to do what they way, parents need to step up and take the necessary precautions. they don't know any better, because they have simply not been taught. it's never to early to talk about sex with your kids. at a young age, keep it brief, yes, but as they get older, you need to be as open and honest as posible.