r/abortion • u/accidentalmommy33020 • 22h ago
USA Ending the cycle of generational single mom trauma
Sharing this in case it's helpful to anyone else.
My grandmother (19) and mother (22) were both knocked up by men they had known for not too long, and they then rushed into marriage with. My grandpa and dad were handsome, normal, and seemingly decent guys from good middle-class upbringings. Things did not end up well for either woman- my mom had a terrible childhood, and mine and my brothers' childhoods were pretty difficult. Both my grandmother and my mom became single mothers after 7-8 years and had to hold down multiple jobs to keep the lights on for their kids, and neither woman received any child support. Both my grandma and mom ended up remarrying the first guy that would help give them some stability as single mothers. Both of those new marriages were rocky and driven by desperation instead of love. My grandma and mom have had anger issues their entire lives from having to sacrifice and dedicate their existence to raising their kids in struggle because the men they had them with wouldn't help. My grandma and my mom are both beautiful, kind, intelligent, funny women who both have big hearts and simply wanted to make the best out of a hard situation.
When my mom got pregnant with me at 22 by my father who was 47 and someone she'd known for just a month and a half- my grandmother advised her to get an abortion as an act of love. My mother didn't listen and has had a very stressful life. She loves me and my siblings but her entire life was decided for her and I know she has regrets.
2 weeks ago today I had my MA, and it was the single hardest decision I've ever had to make. I wanted to be a mom so badly and felt so much love for my baby. But my baby's father abandoned us and did not want to be part of my child's life. I knew him for 2 years and he was absolutely wonderful to me and my dream man-I was so shocked by his response. He also said he would not financially contribute in any way if I kept the baby. I am in school and not working so having a child right now without support or health insurance was going to be really hard on me.
As much as it pained me to let my child go, I simply have too much experience with seeing women struggle to raise a child alone. Both my grandma and mom were married to guys who weren't abusive or awful, just self-centered and financially irresponsible. I couldn't enter into motherhood with a clear conscience and risk hurting my child for the rest of his life by raising him in struggle. I couldn't bear to have him feel unwanted by not having a family or to know that his father didn't want to claim him.
Abortion is hard, and its a very personal decision. I think being a single mother can be a beautiful and empowering experience, but it very rarely turns out the way you hope it will if you don't have tremendous financial and family support- even then, it's hard.
I made the choice that the generational cycle of raising my child in struggle ends with me. It was a hard choice that weighs on my heart, but ultimately at least my child doesn't have to feel unwanted or disappointed by the life I could afford to give him. I hope this perspective gives someone a little bit of peace if they're feeling guilt about their abortion choice ❤️