The XX Factor: What women really think.

Peer Groups and Pregnancy

Dana, perhaps I should not have compared Elizabeth Cousins to Bristol Palin; Cousins never offered herself as a spokesperson for anything, except herself and her own experience. While I agree with you all about preventing teen pregnancy, Cousins' baby is already here. She should be commended for rising to the occasion, rather than roundly chastised. In addition, I don't think Bristol Palin's example paints a realistic picture of teen motherhood, and in fact could be accused of glamorizing it: She remains living in her mother's mansion with ample help from her wealthy family and a nationally televised platform. Sure, Levi embarrassed her, but I'd bet when at least some teens saw him on Tyra, they were swooningly jealous of Bristol having such a dreamy boyfriend.

Emily, at the end of the day, I think we're all products of our own environments. Elizabeth Cousins and Bristol Palin both come from peer groups where teen pregnancy is rampant and opportunities for the future are limited. I sincerely doubt the kind of teen who is watching multimedia presentations on the New York Times website would hear Cousins' story and say to herself, "Having a baby now sounds like a great idea!" She'd be the kind of teen who would be well aware at how much she had to lose.

From the Mouths of Babes

We've spilled a lot of digital ink talking about teen motherhood, though most of us have not been adolescent moms ourselves, so I thought I would post this New York Times package, which includes the narration of Elizabeth Cousins, a 16-year-old from East Flatbush, N.Y., and the mother of 19-month-old Mahniya. Bristol Palin could take some lessons on clarity and maturity from Elizabeth, who seems to have a real head on her shoulders. Elizabeth says she considered abortion, but ultimately decided against it because a friend pointed out that this could be her only shot at motherhood.

Elizabeth used to stay out all night partying, but having Mahniya has given her new focus on her studies, and the Times notes that Mahniya's father takes care of the baby several days a week while Elizabeth commutes to an alternative public school on the Upper East Side. For now, Elizabeth says she has "retired" from the motherhood business—she doesn't want to have any more kids until she has her future more settled.