Sage advice from today's talk generation

The woman was young enough that most people called her a girl, but since she was pregnant there was little doubt she was a woman in body.

Young, pregnant women are often sponges for advice, and this woman's difficult circumstances made her doubly vulnerable.
Morality expert Dr. Laura Schlessinger told her that her horizon looked bleak. Low income, newly married to a man much older than herself --- but not the father of her child --- she should seriously consider adoption. And it was Dr. Laura's opinion that women who married older men were setting themselves up for trouble.
Ann Landers also expressed doubts about the woman's prospects. "A man who first thinks of divorcing you, then makes you take a long trip near term without motel reservations is someone to watch out for. Ask yourself this question: "Would I be better off with him or without him?"
Radio doctor Dean Idell told her that since she was so young she ought to give serious thought before continuing the pregnancy. If she chose to go ahead, she should seek genetic testing and make sure to be under the care of a competent OB/Gyn.
Her friends agreed, saying she should stick with the husband, but dump the baby. "We'll help raise the funds you need to exercise your constitutional right to, uh, terminate the pregnancy," they assured her. Then she could get on with her life.
Oprah showcased four women in similar circumstances. One divorced the husband and moved in with her parents. She was making it. One aborted the baby and went back to school. She was struggling. One kept husband and baby but was miserable. Another "married" two women but kept husband and baby as well.
There was no right or wrong way of handling the situation, Oprah announced. Al Gore told the woman that all she needed was universal day care. She could work and let someone else look after the child at government expense. Her standard of living would improve eventually. Of course, listing gold, frankincense and myrrh as assets could make her ineligible for any such program.
Rudy Giuliani said she could stay at the shelter near the inn, but only if she peeled potatoes and scrubbed the floors of the inn kitchen.
The pundits told her that teen pregnancies in poor neighborhoods were a major cause of poverty and that government policies should not "enable" people in her situation. But the angel told her, "You are highly favored. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."
And she said, "God has regarded the low estate of his handmaid. From now on all generations will call me blessed. For he that is mighty has done great things to me. His mercy is on those who revere him from generation to generation."

Donna Marmorstein 1999