Author Q&A
Why did you write this book?
I wrote this book because as a girl and as a woman I saw first
hand how unplanned pregnancies can affect a woman's life. I know
that I am not the only woman in the world who has had to deal
with friends who have faced unplanned pregnancies. I have had
friends who faced unplanned pregnancies and became depressed because
they were so distressed about the situation. At the same time,
I have had many friends who were faced with unplanned pregnancies
who went on to have the baby and raise wonderful families. Some
of these friends felt much better about their situation as they
learned about the resources that were available to them.
What do you hope to accomplish by releasing this book?
I hope to educate young women. Some women don't know that they
can have a baby and still go away to college. There are many
colleges and universities that offer family housing. There are
so many programs like WIC, Medicaid and more. There are a wealth
of resources for young women. These programs were included in
the book in hopes to shed light on the programs available for
young women facing unplanned pregnancies.
Were your pregnancies unplanned?
No, by the time I started having children I was married. However,
the information I learned from my pregnancy and from parenting
really gave me a whole new perspective about the book. There
is no job in the world like parenting. I also hope that I can
be an inspiration to young women who do decide to become parents.
As a parent you can still accomplish your dreams.
What chapter was the most exciting for you to write?
Continuing Your Education and Parenting was the most exciting
chapter for me to write. As an educator, any research about
education stimulates me. I was so pleased to see just how many
universities now offer family student housing. Teenage women
who find themselves young parents no longer have to give up
their dreams about going away to college.
Explain the chapter-Desperate Acts-Safe Haven Laws.
Some people may look at the chapter Desperate Acts-Safe Haven
Laws as being controversial. I am in no way advocating that
women who are faced with unplanned pregnancies should consider
abandoning their babies under any circumstances. At the same
token, I know that there is information available that people
should know about. Most states have Safe Haven laws. These are
laws that allows women to drop off healthy newborns at various
locations usually a hospital or public safety location such
as a police or fire station. This information was only included
for the very desperate.
Growing up in the late 80's, there were so few books written
for young women about pregnancy. I hope my book can help a young
woman in a crisis situation.
What's your motivation? To prevent unplanned pregnancy?
Explain.
My motivation is to educate young women faced with unplanned
pregnancies about the resources available to them. I hope this
book finds it's way to school libraries everywhere. I want the
young girl who thinks that she is pregnant to have access to
this book. The chapter on birth control can help women prevent
unplanned pregnancy.
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