Unwed Teen Mothers and Poverty

At internet dating sites secrets are hidden On his roller coaster of lies, Pam had ridden Though she agreed to meet Joe in a public park The sun had already set; it was growing dark No families or lovers were strolling around When Jim came from behind and pushed Pam to the ground Pam went home and was afraid to tell her parents In four months there was a change in her appearance Pam left home and started living on the streets Turning away from every stranger she’d meet ‘Neath neon lights on a cardboard box she lay Night after night, visiting soup kitchens by day In her eighth month she found a home for pregnant teens As her mom endured the torment of fearful dreams Time neared and Pam called home crying, “Mom, I’ve done wrong!” Grateful mom said, “Dear, I’d have been there all along" Lifting Pam up from the grasp of dire poverty Her parents welcomed the newborn to their family If she hadn’t made that call, Pam would not have known The comfort she’d receive in her parents’ fine home * Entry for Gwendolen’s “Mom, I’m Pregnant” contest. According to Douglas J. Besharov with the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy, almost half of all families headed by women under age 18 have incomes below the poverty line. This is almost five times the poverty rate of two-parent families with children.