Ego Identity and Young Mothers

An article titled “Data on Mothers Reveal Schisms across America” in the August 5, 2018 edition of The New York Times highlighted another major concern facing our country. For instance, the age of first time mothers varied according to level of education and geography. Analyzing birth certificates since 1985, they found that women with college degrees, on average, give birth to children 7 years later than women without a degree .These degree women were in their early 30’s while non degree women were in their early 20’s. Moreover, first-time college educated mothers were older and lived in the big cities and on the coasts while the less educated resided in rural areas, the Great Plains and in the South.

The researchers found that the first time, less educated and living in the rural areas, Great Plains and South mothers were more conservative and religious; had younger grandparents who lived nearby; were  unmarried;  had difficulty affording birth control; were  economically challenged with unplanned pregnancies; did not consider abortion; and  were without  a  nearby medical provider . These mothers also had identity formation difficulties, along with a dependent personality.

 Regardless of age, becoming pregnant is easy, but caring full-term and child rearing is difficult. We know that the nutritional and emotional state of the mother is of major importance for her and her embryo. Also, the quality of the mother’s relationship with her partner adds another important positive dimension.

 On the other hand, the older mothers, the researchers reported, tended to be liberal; splitting bread winning and caregiving responsibilities with men; had middle-class wages; had more years of  earned money for investment in children’s lessons  and their  college accounts, had advanced in their careers before giving birth; tended to be married and were   less likely to be  divorced.

To Be Continued