A Mother’s Last Choice

By Alannah Yip

Chinese International School

You haven’t slept in days, the unrelenting cries of a newborn haunting your every waking hour. You're tired, hungry, and lonely. The bundle in your arms grows heavier with every step, and the constant ringing in your ears doesn’t stop. As you drag yourself along the road, all you want to do is go home. 

Unfortunately, a quick online search informs us that this is not an option for almost 30% of teen moms. Teenage mothers are three times more likely to end up homeless than the average teenager, even though they are the very ones who need the most care and attention. Most people(me included) used to believe that most teen pregnancies are due to the decisions that these young women make for themselves. Yet, contrary to slanderous words that society often uses to demean these young mothers, such asover 75% of teen pregnancies are not planned, and only 4.9% of teen mothers planned on having a child. 

Although 35% of teen pregnancies end in abortion, sadly, this is not an option for any unwilling mothers in Hong Kong. Even though technically it is ‘legal,’ it is highly regulated, and 2 doctors have to agree that it adheres to several specific conditions, and is a primary risk to the mother’s life and death. The weight of this issue continues to grow with the recent tragic news of a pregnant couple. A pregnant woman and her husband fell to their death on October 19th, 2025. Authorities believe that behind this regrettable situation is the rejection of a request for an abortion. 

The man, surnamed Wong, and his wife, surnamed Chan, sadly passed away at 4 am after reportedly jumping off Hing Tai House of Tai Hing Estate in Tuen Mun. The couple intended to undergo an abortion in Hong Kong, but their request for an abortion was rejected. Later, the couple attempted to complete the surgery in Taiwan, but due to Chan being 7 months pregnant, they were denied surgery and flew back to Hong Kong a week later. 

This story indicates that a baby can change someone's life, for better or for worse. Nevertheless, pregnant teenagers seldom benefit from their unplanned child. As a teenager myself, I can barely imagine having to take care of myself on the street, much less something as fragile as a baby. I can’t begin to imagine the full extent of living in these conditions, and the resilient young women who have managed to find their own way. Nonetheless, I can’t fathom having to carry all this burden and being unable to ask anyone for help. All of these incredibly vulnerable women have already been through enough without being shamed to no end. So, how can we as a society solve this issue? How can we ensure that people don’t turn to death as an alternative to an unwanted baby?

Fortunately, a local charity in Hong Kong is miles ahead of us. Providing young mothers and children with an alternative to just fending for themselves. In the twisted roads of the mid-levels, a local charity aims to help people exactly in that situation. Although seeking help from family may be hard, seeking help from strangers may be even harder. However, one outstanding service makes it easy with its open-door policy, which encourages any unwilling mother who is struggling to seek shelter. 

Mother’s Choice, a local Hong Kong-based charity group, actively aims to bring a positive impact on their lives and combats society’s judgment by offering their time and effort and being the people who care for the forgotten and discarded teen mothers. Helping over 145 women with comprehensive case management support, almost 400 girls receive crisis pregnancy hotline counseling, and over 100 children receive loving residential and foster care. 

Fig 1. Mother’s Choice Limited 母親的抉擇. 31 Mar. 2024, www.motherschoice.org/app/uploads/2024/10/2023-24-Audit-Report.pdf. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.

Teen mothers are often associated with words such as “uneducated, irresponsible, abusive, immoral, and destined to a life of poverty.” These words are not only hurtful but also untrue. There are numerous examples of teenage mothers who have built thriving careers, leveraged reality TV fame into businesses, and achieved financial independence through support systems. Successful teenage moms include Aretha Franklin, a legendary singer, despite having her first son at 12 and her second at 15. Keisha Castle-Hughes, the actress from Whale Rider, is the youngest Oscar nominee, all while being a mother at 17. As well as many teenage mothers who are not famous, sharing their stories all over platforms such as Reddit, emphasizing that fame is not the only kind of success. 

Keisha Castle-Hughes explicitly states that a support system is vital, as she had a strong one from her family. Stating "it takes a village to raise a child.” As well as Farrah Abraham (another famous teen mom), highlighting the importance of advocating for better support systems. 

Mother’s Choice aims to break barriers for teenage mothers and their children, helping to support them effectively and supporting mothers in Hong Kong by any means they can. They set an example that we all should follow in suit. We are not only helping them but also all young mothers who are struggling. By introducing a new perspective on the way they should be treated, we can prevent teenagers in the future from feeling as helpless as they do now. By taking initiative and seeing them differently, we can spread the message that, even if you don’t support teenage pregnancies, supporting pregnant teens can go a long way.