Negotiating Identities: Adolescent Mothers’ Journey to Motherhood
A Research Study
by
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I mean, I know there’s like stuff that I am not supposed to do, and I know I got get it regardless of me being selfish, I know she had to have it, so of course I’m going to get it, but at the same, after I get out of bed, I’m like, well then, when’s it going to be me time? When am I going to be able to get what I need? Every time I turn around, she needs something, but at end of the day that shit bothers me that I am becoming a momma.
Participant 12 stated she had not fully grasped the concept of being a mother because she still had thoughts about putting her needs before her child’s with regard to material things, for example, clothing. She explained the situation like so, “I still don’t think I’m a momma, because right now, let’s say, for instance, I want a pair of shoes. I’m like, well, she need her shoes. I’m getting for me, like, I still debate back and forth.” Participant 12’s response is a common theme found in the literature with adolescent mothers who are struggling with maturation, egocentrism (Secco & Moffatt, 2003), sensitivity to their child’s needs (Salder & Cowlin, 2003), and the maturational crisis of adolescence (Lodgson et al., 2008).
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About the Book
Dr. Ford is passionate about advocating and helping underdogs and marginalized populations. Her goal is to use her writing and future books to inspire those teen mothers who are often feeling “let down” and to educate and inspire those who are unaware of the emotional turmoil these young mothers are experiencing. This is Dr. Ford’s first book, and it provides a personal view of the lived experiences by adolescent mothers as they endured the transition of being a teenager to becoming a mother. Dr. Ford hopes this book will enlighten the professionals who work with teen mothers to further the understanding of their trials and tribulations, their emotionality, and how this affects their mind-sets—sometimes permanently. With this knowledge, those in the position to assist or help a teen mother would have greater insight into the teens’ mental state to help. The insights in this book offer the ability to improve the young mother’s mental and emotional states of being and help them avoid the negativity and harmful mental and psychological pressure of being a teen mother.
About the Author
Dr. Ford has a PhD in human services and is a state and national certified and licensed professional counselor, approved clinical supervisor, and nationally registered play therapist. For the past twelve years, she has co-owned a state-licensed community mental health organization and a licensed teen-mother residential program for pregnant and parenting teens. Dr. Ford spent nine years working in an urban school system as a school counselor. In the school system, she learned to be an advocate for the underdogs and marginalized populations and provided a voice for those who stood alone and had no voice of their own.