Each semester I design a new writing project that combines academic research with personal experience. I ask students to look into their own backyards to find someone with a story that leads to a larger issue. Writing and Research becomes more FUN that way. The result is what I call a Community Profile. The idea came to me when I was reading a local newspaper and learned this:
Every year in California, the two counties where I teach – Imperial and Coachella - are often ranked near the top in teen pregnancy. The causes are diverse: no protection, peer pressure, lack of parental communication, gang activity. The effects are common: dropout, low-wage jobs drug/alcohol abuse, cycle of teen pregnancy. Moreover, Latina teens consitistantly rate atop all racial and ethnic categories when it comes teen birth. It’s 50/50 – before they reach their 20th birthday, 52 percent of Latina teens become pregnant at least once.
Why is single motherhood such a hot-button, controversial issue today? Over the last 25 years, the traditional structure of American family has made a dramatic change. More and more single mothers prefer to remain unmarried, but many critics believe they are unequipped to effectively lead a family. An unfair stigma has been placed upon young mothers who seek to run their families on their own. They are often judged to be selfish and irresponsible. Research shows that many mothers face incredible odds. For economic reasons, they won’t have the same resources to take care of their children. In raising their families, single mothers often forfeit important educational opportunities. Without a diploma or a husband, these women will live in poverty for the rest of the lives.
In my sample Community Profile, I reached out to a girl I knew in high school who was forced to drop out early to raise her daughter as a single parent. Although many teen parents struggle with the responsibility, my friend Suzy found the appropriate resources to return to school and raise her child. In my essay I try to show, after all these years, how and why the stigma of teen pregnancy is diminishing. My former classmate Suzy didn't stop to think about how other people judge her as a mother. She was too busy taking care of her family. She had a plan. She found appropriate support. She’s worked, went to school, and pursued her dreams of becoming a teacher. For Suzy and other young mothers in her position, we need to provide them with adequate educational and employment to raise their families on their own – often, they are the ones with the most love and most discipline to become the best parents.
Below, I share some of our most provocative and well-written Community Profiles. I didn’t think about this until now, but many of my students have been raised by single mothers. They write with deep feeling and keen insight.
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