Girl, 11, Gives Birth to Baby Boy

[Henri Gaudier]

Mazel Tov!

I hope that was sarcastic!

 

[tikidoc]

1) I've attended delivery of mom of 12. This is nothing new.
2) We didn't evolve to have pregnancy at any specific age. When menarche begins, pregnancy can occur. However, success of prgnancy and of the mom living is lower at such a young age so I guess there is sone evolutionary pressure.
3) Age of puberty has gotten younger over the years. Many factors implicated. Those early games of "playing doctor" can have more serious implications.
4) it's not rape if there isn't a significant age difference between the two. At that age, girls are often more physically and emotionally mature than their male peers.

That having been said, overall a sad state of affairs. One wonders it this could have been prevented. I wonder what information about sex this girl was given (or not) by parent(s) prior.

Agreed. I too have taken care of a couple of 12 year olds during pregnancy/delivery, although it has been a while. The teen (and pre-teen) pregnancy rates went down in the past decade but may be increasing again.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60P0XS20100126

Back in the mid-late 90's when I was a resident in a busy public hospital serving a largely poor population, 13 year olds in labor and delivery were fairly common. I am in a less busy place now, but patients 15 and below have become pretty uncommon.

 

[Ca$hflow]

It's rape no matter what according to the law.

Would it be rape if she had consensual sex with another 11 teen year old?

 

[aloofman]

Maybe I'll invent a hormone shot that inhibits child conception until a certain age (not
birth control, like an annual/bi-annual shot. Something that has no negative effects). But even at age 16 it's a God damned mistake.

Hmm, how would that not be birth control?

 

[mscriv]

The only point that can be made thus far is that this young mother and child will need lots of support. Hopefully, and seemingly from the article, this will come from their immediate family. Outside of that we don't have enough information to make any comments beyond mere speculation. I wish them well.

The linked story that describes the pregnancy of the 5 year old child is quite unbelievable. My son turns 5 in two months. I simply can't imagine a young girl going through that at such a young age.