Title: Think About It (“Talk About It”)
From: “Talk About It” video by Kern County, CA, Department of Child Support Services
[Speakers – young parents]
Music intro ....
Woman: I’ve always imagined for myself before I even got pregnant that I was going to graduate high school and go straight off to a college; from there, become a nurse, and be a travelling nurse.
Man #1: I wanted to play football. I wanted to be in NFL, or be a veterinarian.
Man #2: I did have plans on going to college. I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do.
Man #3: I was hoping to be the first out of my family to get their high school diploma. And I had my mind set on that.
Man #2: My girlfriend we broke up, she went to San Bernardino, and I was stuck with the baby. She left my daughter with me.
Man #3: I think the ones that got more upset than anything were our parents.
Man #2: I asked her if she was sure it was mine. Uh, she got very upset.
Woman: I felt more disappointed in myself than people were disappointed in me. [Text appears: The biggest things for me didn't come true.] But it did.
Man #1: If I had it to do all over again, I love my daughter, but, I’d stick to my schooling, sports.
Man #2: I’m taking care of the responsibility that I have for paying for this child. It hasn’t been easy. This started with me when I was 18; here I am, uh, at the age of 32, and, uh, the responsibility is still there. It’s basically a responsibility for life; it’s not going to go away.
Woman: Don’t do it. Don’t have any kids until you’re ready, until you’re married, until you have a career, some type of goal, and you’ve worked towards that goal already, because it is hard.
Music during closing slides:
Slide:
David spent the last 14 years of his life dodging child support payments. His life was a continual struggle and both he and his children lost out because he didn’t take responsibility. David will be paying CSS payments for many years to come because of accrued interest and penalties.
Slide:
Larry wanted to be the first in his family to graduate from high school. He instead, dropped out of high school half way through his senior year when he was only twenty credits away from graduating, in order to make money and care for his daughter. Larry’s CSS case is pending for welfare payments to his family.
Slide:
Robin dreamed her whole life of going to college and pursuing a career. Robin turned down a four-year scholarship to UCLA that she was awarded in her senior year of high school, in order to take care of her son. The father of Robin’s son is still at large.
Slide:
Cameron wanted to pursue a professional career in sports as a professional football player. He stopped playing sports and started working at 15 to earn enough money to care for his daughter. Cameron currently works 10 to 14 hour shifts at night to make enough money to provide for his family. He cares for his children during the day.