She's ten and she's a mum. An unidentified Romanian girl has given birth in Spain, it's understood that the dad is 13. Despite cries of horror from many parts of the world, her own mother says she's happy about the birth, which she described as "something common in my country".
The girl apparently arrived in the country already pregnant and now authorities in Andalusia are deciding whether to take the child into care. A UN report says 10% of girls in low- and middle-income countries become mothers by the age of 16.
That''s all for today. We''re not on air tomorrow owing to the strike by journalists across the 大象传媒. You can still comment on the blog however -
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18:59
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Victoria emailed - wow, for the last few weeks, sometimes 4 subjects of huge complexity and international import have been crammed into one hour; but today, one whole hour goes to debating whether or not 10 yr. old girls should have babies? Why did that happen?
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18:58
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Rob emailed - While I really like your program, it does tend to wander to target and exploit just the controversial. Please don't run the risk of becoming a Jerry Springer but with a more credible accent
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18:55
113994022
Whereever that happen and though it is acceptable to some cultures..But for a mom who鈥檚 under 18 its something immature and definitly will鈥檝e negative impact
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18:53
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Ian on the blog - This is not a problem. There is a tradition in India going back for hundreds of years, where mothers are only aged 12 or thereabouts.
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18:53
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Ash in Australia - Statistics say teenage mothers are more likely to live below the poverty line. Becoming a mother at 10? She's unlikely to have much education at that age and likely to live off the public purse for the rest of her life. Sad for her and her country.
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18:51
108537860
World Have Your Say: The trouble with the B.B.C.is, your all "sex"mad! One is surprised, to hear of a 10 year old getting pregnant. But what business is it of yours?
E.Black.London.
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18:49
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Greg emailed - I am trying to understand this. Do your guests distinguish between both parents being of a certain age or is it possible for a 30 year old to have a 10 year old wife and mother?
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18:46
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Diana Rose in Uganda - 10? this girl is just so little. How emotionally is a kid ready to raise another? And what happened to parental guidance, it seems it was completely lacking in this child's life.
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18:45
111845193
I can鈥檛 believe that u r discussing this. . U r missing the point ..at 10 or even teen is criminal to be a vessel for pregnancy .. Let alone mother or not.
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18:45
113631290
Daniel in Accra called WHYS - There is no such thing as too young. The only problem is taking a moral stand.
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18:44
113631290
Twisty willow on the blog - Unfortunately in some parts of the world - due to religion, class, or culture - women and girls are seen as brood mares. In this case it appears to be a cultural thing.
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18:40
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Regina - Yes! Ten is too young to have a baby, grandmother says she is happy and will take care of the infant. 10-16 should be learning the three Rs. What happen to precaution?
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18:39
113631290
Diana in Uganda - 10? this gal is just so little, how emotionally is a kid ready to raise another? And what happened to parental guidance, it seemz to me that this was completely lacking in this child's life
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:35
113631290
Balibamo - So such issues are also found in developed countries,surprise!
How young is too young to have a baby?
| Thursday, 11 Nov. 2010 | 18:06 - 19:00 GMT
She's ten and she's a mum. An unidentified Romanian girl has given birth in Spain, it's understood that the dad is 13. Despite cries of horror from many parts of the world, her own mother says she's happy about the birth, which she described as "something common in my country".
The girl apparently arrived in the country already pregnant and now authorities in Andalusia are deciding whether to take the child into care. A UN report says 10% of girls in low- and middle-income countries become mothers by the age of 16.
Your comments
Comment sent via host
That''s all for today. We''re not on air tomorrow owing to the strike by journalists across the 大象传媒. You can still comment on the blog however -
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Victoria emailed - wow, for the last few weeks, sometimes 4 subjects of huge complexity and international import have been crammed into one hour; but today, one whole hour goes to debating whether or not 10 yr. old girls should have babies? Why did that happen?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Rob emailed - While I really like your program, it does tend to wander to target and exploit just the controversial. Please don't run the risk of becoming a Jerry Springer but with a more credible accent
Comment sent via SMS
Whereever that happen and though it is acceptable to some cultures..But for a mom who鈥檚 under 18 its something immature and definitly will鈥檝e negative impact
Comment sent via BLOG
Ian on the blog - This is not a problem. There is a tradition in India going back for hundreds of years, where mothers are only aged 12 or thereabouts.
Comment sent via Facebook
Ash in Australia - Statistics say teenage mothers are more likely to live below the poverty line. Becoming a mother at 10? She's unlikely to have much education at that age and likely to live off the public purse for the rest of her life. Sad for her and her country.
Comment sent via SMS
World Have Your Say: The trouble with the B.B.C.is, your all "sex"mad! One is surprised, to hear of a 10 year old getting pregnant. But what business is it of yours? E.Black.London.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Greg emailed - I am trying to understand this. Do your guests distinguish between both parents being of a certain age or is it possible for a 30 year old to have a 10 year old wife and mother?
Comment sent via Facebook
Diana Rose in Uganda - 10? this girl is just so little. How emotionally is a kid ready to raise another? And what happened to parental guidance, it seems it was completely lacking in this child's life.
Comment sent via SMS
I can鈥檛 believe that u r discussing this. . U r missing the point ..at 10 or even teen is criminal to be a vessel for pregnancy .. Let alone mother or not.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Daniel in Accra called WHYS - There is no such thing as too young. The only problem is taking a moral stand.
Comment sent via BLOG
Twisty willow on the blog - Unfortunately in some parts of the world - due to religion, class, or culture - women and girls are seen as brood mares. In this case it appears to be a cultural thing.
Comment sent via Facebook
Regina - Yes! Ten is too young to have a baby, grandmother says she is happy and will take care of the infant. 10-16 should be learning the three Rs. What happen to precaution?
Comment sent via Facebook
Diana in Uganda - 10? this gal is just so little, how emotionally is a kid ready to raise another? And what happened to parental guidance, it seemz to me that this was completely lacking in this child's life
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Balibamo - So such issues are also found in developed countries,surprise!