Teen Pregnancy

Getting Ready

Francy: 12 years old, 3 months pregnant.

My mother was not a mother who gave me affection.

Francy: 12 years old, 7 months pregnant.

I left [home] with the first (guy that asked me), not because I loved him, because I didn’t love him… I left because I thought I would find more affection somewhere else.

Francy:

For a while, I did live better. It was afterwards that the problems began…

Francesca Marisol: 15 years old, 8 months pregnant.

We always let ourselves be fooled. He left me out in the street. He dumped me. I don’t even want to remember what people were saying… it drives me crazy. I just want to run away. If it were possible… I’d kill myself. That’s why I don’t go out for any reason.

Francesca Marisol: After 2 years, we got married.

Her husband: When she got pregnant, it scared me a lot… I was only 16… I just wanted to leave and go someplace far away. If I had been more experienced, I wouldn’t have dumped her like that. Maybe I would have taken her away with me, far away.

Marbely: 16 years old, 1 2-year old son, one on the way.

My mother took care of me, she watched over me… as if I were still a young girl (a virgin)… she tried to set me on the right path.

Dona Marina (her mother): 43 years old, 13 births, 7 children, twice widowed.

Monica: 16 years old

Her grandmother: Why should this young girl get married...? The boy is a bum. He doesn't work.... he doesn't go to school. [Marrying him] would ruin her life!

Melba: 17 years old, a 10-month old daughter.

When I was 12, my mother left me… I was always hoping that she would come back. I waited for her to return…

Her father: When her mom left, she suffered so much… she wanted to look for her mother, but I said no…

Ernestina: 18 years old, a 4-year old daughter.

I’m tired of life… I feel worn out, hopeless… sometimes when the news is on, there will be a story about some woman who killed herself. She had a reason for doing it… it’s a shame that I don’t have the courage she had. I admire her.

The only thing that keeps me alive is my daughter.

Carmen: 15 years old

I was crazy in love with him...

Carmen is also part of The Ladies' Guild series. She was kicked out of her house when she was 10 years old. Went to live with someone she thought was a friend who told her that she would have to earn her keep. Her story to follow in her words at a later date.