While still far from ideal, there is far less stigma attached to teen pregnancy nowadays in comparison to a few decades ago. There are support groups, provided by the government or privately-organized, that offer information, counseling, health services to help prepare a teen and her family face her pregnancy. How is it like before?

Cecilia Kirkpatrick writes at TheSouthern:

Forty years ago, this writer, too, was a pregnant, unmarried teen. At that time an expectant mother was not allowed to attend school. When an astute teacher informed the principal that she thought I might be pregnant, I was sent to the office and consequently sent home from school. Each of the next three days I went back to school; each day I was sent home.

I was determined that this sudden change in my personal status was not going to change my future goals. On the fourth day the principal, realizing my determination, allowed me to stay if I agreed to stop coming when my condition became physically apparent. But, I could not participate in any extracurricular activities.

However, none of that was going to stop me. When it came time for me to quit, I simply couldn't! It was arranged that I would do all work at home without instruction and return to school weekly for new assignments. Frankly, I was glad to get the opportunity. It was a hardship then, but the long-term outcome was worth it.

Read her full story here. For those of you in the Southern Illinois area, check out the list of resources at the bottom of the article.