“Children who are victims of failed personal responsibility are not my problem, nor are they the problem for our government.”  — Majority Leader (now MN governor) Tim Pawlenty 

Sure, we will force you to carry a pregnancy to term and become a mother, but after that, you’re on your own.  We won’t provide health care or financial assistance.  We won’t help with childcare or education.  We don’t support job training or even equal pay.  You have to figure it out because it’s your responsibility.  We chose your path, but we sure as hell won’t give you a map to figure a way out.

Former Governor Sarah Palin illustrated this same type of rationale calling pro-choice feminists ‘hypocrites’.

“Our prominent woman sisterhood is telling these young women that they are strong enough to deal with this,” Palin said.

“They can give their child life, in addition to pursuing career and education and avocations. Society wants to tell these young women otherwise. These feminist groups want to tell these women that, ‘No, you’re not capable of doing both.’ . . . It’s very hypocritical.”

So Governor Palin, I have a few questions for you. Is it hypocritical when feminists fight for sexuality education in the schools? You oppose educating our teens.  Isn’t reducing unintended pregnancies a worthy cause?

Is it hypocritical when feminists fight for subsidized child-care, equal pay and funding for higher education? How do you expect these young moms to pursue a career and education? Not all teen moms can pull in $30K for a speaking engagement.  I would say most don’t even pull in $30K in one year.

When I look back on my teen-mom years, I shake my head with amazement that I even made it.  Possibly I had a rougher time than some with my mom passing away that first year, but I’m sure I had it better off than many.  I can’t imagine that even your daughter Bristol (who has a supportive family and resources) would say that her path has been an easy one. Choosing to become a teen mother is not an easy path; you are attempting to raise your own child while still growing up yourself.

The pro-choice community believes in education and truthfulness. We support these young women and all their choices. Being a mother isn’t easy at any age, but as a teen you are ill-equipped to handle the challenges ahead.  Teen mothers need guidance and assistance to make it successfully.  We need to reduce unintended pregnancies and support all our mothers. 

We, as pro-choice women, respect all other women’s choices by ensuring and protecting their right to choose what is best for them.