Gloria Malone is a fearless advocate, freelance writer, college student, and blogger at Teen Mom NYC.com where she writes about life as a teen mom and provides encouragement to other teen moms to beat societal stereotypes.
A former pregnant and parenting young person, Packebush spoke with Rewire.News about the influences on her debut young adult novel, including real-world hardships and the communities that sustain queer youth.
"I hope my book—which brings attention to young mothers’ counter-stories and acts of resistance—makes feminist-oriented advocates and organizations think twice before circulating tragic tales of young motherhood."
"Providing pregnant teens an environment free of prejudice and shame can unlock so much of their potential, allowing them to love themselves for who they are and not what society has depicted them to be."
Title IX changed the course of history for many individuals when it comes to athletics and being able to partake in programs that discriminate against individuals based on sex. But when we talk about the landmark legislation, people still don't seem to understand what it truly means—and doesn't mean.
The lack of LGBTQ-inclusive, comprehensive, and medically accurate sexual and reproductive health education is a public health concern that many lawmakers, educators, and doctors are letting slip through the cracks.
Conversations about the need for more comprehensive maternity leave policies seem to rarely include solutions to the issues facing pregnant and parenting students, despite the fact that they are less likely to finish high school than their peers and are more likely to stay in poverty as they struggle to support their family.
As Benita Ulisano recently told Rewire, "Clinics are facing very difficult political and social pressures, but my job is simply to help them help others."
The media’s bad job of reporting on teenage pregnancy and parenting has real-life consequences and effects on teenage families, including depression and generational poverty. By removing these stereotypes, and changing to more positive story lines and outcomes, people in the media can make it easier on teens to create thriving families.
