small TALK
Thursday, October 21,2004 -- Page 7
Uh oh, I’m pregnant. What now?
A question of pregnancy during a relationship in two parts: her side and his side
RONI WILKINSON
Staff Writer
Pregnancy is a real issue
for people who choose to have
sex and if you’re not ready for
a child it can definitely be hard
to deal with. This is a tough
question for me since I have
never been in this situation before,
but perhaps those that are sexually
active should have a plan in place if
a pregnancy does occur.
There are several options to
consider when faced with a preg
nancy; abortion, adoption or rais
ing your child. It is important not
to make a rash decision in order to
avoid regrets.
If I became pregnant at this
point in my life. I’m not quite sure
what I would do. But I do know that
time is not an option, and I would
have to make a decision soon after
finding out. My first step would
include speaking with the father
to weigh the pros and cons of each
choice. Secondly, deciding which
option would be best for us and the
fiiture of the child.
For me, adoption would be
the best option. I am not financially
stable at this point in my life, and
raising a child takes a lot of money.
I want the best for my child so giving
them up would provide them with the
best chance to have a good life.
With adoption, comes the op
tion of an open or closed adoption.
An open adoption is when you have
the ability to help choose who your
child’s future parents are. In a closed
adoption your name and the future
parents’ names are concealed from
]ne.
\
Photo
Midnight feedings and little teeny babies to care for can be
couple that is prepared or not.
^alla Kalua.
I on any
each other. For me, the best decision
would be an open adoption because I
would want the comfort of knowing
my child is placed in a good home.
I’m not saying this is the best deci
sion for anyone else but for me this
option seems the most logical.
If you are faced with the issue
of pregnancy and want more infor
mation, Sandy Combs in the Health
Services office or Darlene Hopkins
in the counseling center are close
resources, and a good place to start
research on a decision that is right
for you. □
It’s the beginning of your college
career and you’re ready to take on the
challenges. You have big plans and
a bright fiiture. You and your girl are
having a one year anniversary and she
gives you some news. She is pregnant.
The life that was so bright just got a rude
awakening and you have big decisions to
make. It is obvious that you have to man
up and take care of the child and support
any decisions your girl may make. Be
a man and take responsibility for your
actions and remember things happen for
a reason. Maybe this was supposed to
happen and it will determine a brighter
fiiture down the road. But let’s think of
DANTE ALVARADO
Staff Writer
lanother scenario that isn’t as traditional
ut defiantly becoming common.
You are at a night club meet a
girl and have a one night stand. Being
the good citizen you are, you leave your
contact information and go on your way.
Classes are going great and you’re the
key link to a championship caliber col
lege athletic team. Afier winning a tough
game on Saturday against a conference
rival your phone rings. The one night
stand is on the other end of the phone
and she tells you she is pregnant and
keeping the baby. What do you do?
This is a tough situation to deal
with or to even discuss. 1 personally
can’t give the advice of being a man and
doing what is ethically right because I
am not sure of what I would do. Logi
cally, I would insure the blood work was
done to determine if the child is mine.
If indeed the child is mine I would get
to know the mother of the child because
you are linked to this person for the rest
of your life. This is something that no
man or woman should put their self in
and safe sex or no sex can rid you of
the stressfiil possibilities of unwanted
pregnancy.
The next time you are involved
in sexual intercourse make sure you
understand all of the possibilities that
come with sex. It isn’t fair to bring a
child into this world when the child is
already at a disadvantage from the time it
is conceived. Let’s be real with ourselves
men, if you slip up and you’re put in any
situation in which a child is brought into
this world and carries your genes, you
need to be responsible. If not for anyone
at least be responsible for your son or
daughter. They need you the most. □