[Toy Soldier]

There doesn't just need to be better counselling though, there needs to be better financial support and less judgement for young and especially single parents.

What I find absolutely exasperating is that the same people who rant on about being "pro-life" and are horrified by the idea of abortion, are often the same people who would judge a young single mother, who chose not to abort a child, as "breeding for benefits" and advocate those benefits being slashed or removed completely.

Anyone who is adamantly pro-life has to then accept that we, as a society, have to be willing to support young parents and children who are unplanned and born at "inconvenient times". We have to be open and willing to see them properly supported financially, and also provided more practical support (free childcare and not just in school hours, free access to education and training programmes without benefits being at risk, MUCH higher levels of community engagement and support) - so that individuals, and families, can still build and enjoy their lives.

You can't just say "You MUST have that baby or it's murder, but no one is going to help you once it's here so tough **** ".