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I wanted to say “I told you so” when I heard the news that Sarah Palin’s teenage daughter wasn’t marrying her baby daddy.  It’s amazing how so many conservatives rallied around Governor Palin and her family when it was announced that Bristol was pregnant. Bristol became the poster child of what it meant to have a child out of wedlock because, unlike so many other young girls, her boyfriend was committed to marrying her.  But he really wasn’t.

I think this should be a lesson to those people who are so quick to chastise and point fingers at young girls like my daughter who also got pregnant as a teenager.  She and Bristol did share that in common but, unlike Bristol, my daughter was shunned and I was labeled a “bad mother” for not raising my daughter with better morals and values.

Family

Bristol comes from a privileged family, where her mother has a high profile as Governor of Alaska and was the Republican nominee for Vice-President of the United States. She has two sisters and two brothers. Her father is in the home.

Janie comes from a middle class family where her dad was absent more than he was around. She is an only child. Her mother is a journalist, who left Corporate America because her boss never respected her role as a working mom. (long, unappreciated hours and no opportunity for advancement)

Boyfriend

Bristol’s boyfriend is an 18 year old named Levi Johnson who described himself as an F----- redneck on his MySpace page before it was taken down. He also indicated he did not want children.

Janie’s boyfriend had a bright promising future as an actor or chef before he was murdered the day after Christmas for defending his little sister who was being harassed by a gang banger on a city bus.

Mother's Reaction to Pregnancy

Bristol received very public support from her mother and the conservative Republican world.  Her mother even issued a statement saying her daughter was going to keep the baby and marry the baby’s daddy.  As we all know Sarah Palin is a staunch supporter of abstinence. How much she told her daughter about sex and having unprotected sex is unknown.

Janie hid her pregnancy for fear of how I would react and, rightfully, so. I was livid! Obviously, all those times I told her to keep her dress down and panties up fell on deaf ears. I wanted my daughter to weigh all of her options because she had plans to go to college and we all know raising a child can seriously alter your plans.

Future

Bristol’s future remains unclear, although her mother has assured the public the family will stand by Bristol and offer their undying support. One thing we know for sure is she is now a mother with no husband.

Janie, meanwhile, is raising her son alone with the love and support of family members on both sides. She is also out to prove the naysayers wrong by pursuing her college education. She is currently enrolled at North Carolina A&T, while grandma takes on the role of Ma.

I wonder why Gov. Palin didn't do more to try to get her daughter and boyfriend to work things out for the sake of their child.  Does that make her a bad mother or a good mother for staying out of her daughter's business?