It sounds like a cute story to be with the boy you met in 6^th grade, but in this week’s episode of 16 & Pregnant, we see why so many people don’t end up with their middle school or high school sweethearts. Sarah lives at home with her mom, brother, and boyfriend Blake. Blake is also the father over her soon-to be born daughter, Tinleigh.

At first it looks like that the situation isn’t all that bad because Sarah lives with a supportive mom and Blake is working and living with Sarah’s family. But we quickly find out that Blake doesn’t have a relationship with his family, has dropped out of college, and works part time at a grocery store. The only rules that Blake has to follow while living with Sarah’s family is to save $10 a week from his paycheck to put towards the baby and do chores around the house. Is it just me or does this sound totally reasonable? ONLY $10 a week?! $10 isn’t even enough for a nice dinner, let alone a single pack of diapers! Do you think this is a fair arrangement?

Without much delay, Blake begins disappointing Sarah and her mom. He can’t do anything helpful, like pick up a free crib from Sarah’s aunt’s house. He claims he can’t stand the nagging and is uncomfortable around Sarah’s mom, but it’s only going to get worse once a baby comes. Blake also threatens to head south to work on a shrimp boat. He thinks that making more money is going to make things better, but being a good father involves more than just a financial responsibility. Plus, he already hates giving any of his money to Sarah and instead spends it on himself. Blake even tells a friend he wishes he could just pay child support and leave. I can guarantee that child support will cost him more than $10 a week! What do you think about Blake’s plans to move south?  Does it sound like he’s actually thinking any of these plans through or just dreaming?

We all hoped that things would improve once Tinleigh arrives, but I don’t think anyone is surprised that things stay the same. Blake does take on more hours at the grocery store, but barely spends any time with his daughter. And, after just two weeks, Blake sends Sarah a TEXT MESSAGE to say he is leaving to go work on a shrimp boat. I wasn’t surprised that he decided to leave, but I mean, did he have to tell her through a text message?? He didn’t even say goodbye to Sarah or his daughter! Do you think Blake made the right decision to leave? Is making money more important than spending time with your newborn daughter? For someone so interested in making money for Tinleigh, Blake should know that children who live apart from their fathers are five times more likely to be poor than children with both parents at home.

Sarah is really disappointed with the situation because she wants her daughter to have what she didn’t have:  a relationship with her dad. Sarah is in a really difficult place at the end of the episode. She realizes that she can’t do a lot of things that normal girls her age can do, like go away for college or even go away for spring break. She really wishes she had waited to have kids and if she could do it all again, she would have done anything to prevent getting pregnant, including never having sex. Sarah has no choice but to say that she is a single mom. Do you think there is any chance Sarah and Blake will be together again? Will Blake at least help out financially? 

This post was written by Roxanne, an intern for The National Campaign. Roxanne recently graduated from George Washington University where she studied human services and public health. She loves sports and traveling. She hopes to travel the world someday. Want to ask Roxanne a question? Send us an email!