Gloria Malone of Teen Mom NYC has a thing or two to say about New York’s recent ads targeting teen moms.
After all, Gloria would know what it’s like to be a teen mom. She had her daughter, now five, at the age of fifteen. “My first response upon seeing this ads was, why? Why of all things did the majors office and New York City agencies decide to put so much money into telling teen parents that they aren’t shit, will never be shit, and are going to live a life of doom and gloom?” Gloria said.
Gloria founded Teen Mom NYC “to provide accurate, reliable, inspiring information and advice to teen mothers. I firmly believe that giving these young women the necessary tools to create a better life for themselves and their families is essential. With education and empowerment these young mother’s can and will rise above the statistics that teen mothers face.” Go, Gloria!
Gloria and her daughter. If I used such language, I would say, adorbs.
What was your reaction to finding out you were pregnant? Your boyfriend’s?
Believe it or not I knew I was pregnant the moment it happened. Something was different that time we had intercourse. About two to three weeks later we were on the phone talking and he said you haven’t gotten your period yet have you. No I replied. We just knew.
Did you consider adoption or abortion? What made you decide against it?
I think with most teenage pregnancies these options come up and get considered. However, I didn’t have it in me to do anything else but birth and raise my unborn child.
How did you tell your parents? What was their reaction?
I sat across from her in the living room waited for her show to go to commercials and then I said “Mom I have to tell you something.” She must have known something was off with me because she looked at me and said you’re pregnant aren’t you? I shook my head yes and broke down into tears.
She gave me an awkward hug told me everything would be okay and walked into her room. It would be years before she fully would accept or deal with the fact that her youngest daughter was a teenage parent.
Did you get married? Why or why not?
No! And thank goodness for that. Lol. I was young -15 years old-and initially ‘wanted to’ but my mother vehemently said she would not allow it. We were together for six years total but the relationship went from love to something much darker and I left.
How do you deal with the rude people?
It depends on my mood really however, I usually ignore them.
Sometimes I lie and say I’m 30 to make the rude women think I’m thirty and look so much younger than she is. I remember one time I told another super rude woman that my daughter and nephew were both mine and only separated by 10 months because I just couldn’t help myself. That is by far my favorite moment of dealing with rude people.
What is the hardest part about being a student parent?
Time! Having time to study, be more involved in both of our schools, do homework and really having a social life. I have great friends but I wish I had more time for them and me.
Any advice for other moms?
Show up, believe in yourself and walk, talk and act with conviction and confidence.
While we need to educate our kids when it comes to having sex & it consequences, in order to be a creditable website, you should investigate the people you post. This story is completly untrue. Its always heartbreaking to hear a story like this, how ever, did you ask the father for his point of view? her mother? It would be nice to get a whole family perspective.. theres always more sides to a story….