Monday, May 14 marked the beginning of spirit week. The theme was stereotype day. Seniors dressed as emos, nerds, Mean Girls; however, I chose to dress as a teen mom to be.

My original plan was to show my support for the young women who choose to keep their babies, but I didn’t expect the blanket stuffed under my dress for a day to become such a learning experience.

My day started off with a trip to Shop ‘n’ Save before school where I was questioned about my due date. Being that graduation is less than a month away and a huge date on my mind, I chose June 2. No one questioned my age, no one gave me bad looks (maybe I look older than 17, I’m not sure). But when I got to school, the looks and the whispers started.

I didn’t want to walk to class alone. My friends that walked with me witnessed the looks and the gasps from people in the halls. Eventually it became kind of funny to watch people do quadruple takes at my stomach. Of course my friends knew I wasn’t really pregnant, and I’m sure during the passing periods that I was trying to smooth out the lumps, it was obvious it wasn’t real; but for the people who don’t know me and have never paid attention, they were the ones who reacted terribly.

I don’t blame the kids who did that. It is kind of disconcerting to see a young woman carrying a baby. However, it did not feel good to be on the receiving end of ridicule.

I developed a new sense of respect and admiration for the girls who endure the whispers and looks for months. At the end of the day, I could rip the blanket out from underneath my dress and be my normal self again. Those girls can’t. I could sleep knowing I wouldn’t be questioned or looked at differently the next day. I honestly couldn’t imagine going to sleep and knowing I’d be talked about day after day after day.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on issues about teen pregnancy, but, before you judge, realize that they are extremely strong for everything they go through.

Love and Nargles,

Alex