Meaning of Consequences - Essay

CONSEQUENCES
Consequences can be termed as results mostly ones that are negative in nature (Fletcher, S., &
Carpenter, C. 2010). At one point in our lives, we have had to deal with the bitter results of our
actions. Dealing with mistakes involves accepting that you are in the wrong and accepting to deal
with the consequences. Most of the time, the consequences are ugly but as the saying goes, ‘As
you make your bed, so must you lie.’ (Manser, M. H., Fergusson, R., & Pickering, D. 2007). We
as human beings are compelled to take responsibility for our actions whether we like it or not
(Kathy, Cybele 2011).
I always thought of myself as a regular college student. Consistently showing up for my classes
throughout the week but when the weekend came knocking, I reverted the same energy to the
social circles. Campus weekends were characterized by house parties and clubbing. Is that not
what our youth was for anyway? Oftentimes, this hidden cost comes in the form of unintended
consequences (Ayer, S. M. 2010). Everything has a consequence. Do not show up in class?
That's an F. If you drink down your Saturdays till dawn then you’ll be bound to miss church on
Sunday morning. But I considered myself one of the good ones. I did all that was required of me
by society. I participated in community service and my grades were pretty decent. Then some
things that I did were for me, personal gratification – like going out.

My second year at university was the most fun. I was not a naive freshman neither was I a
finalist who wanted to bag that degree and leave school. No, I was just a sophomore living one
day at a time, responsibly throwing all caution to the wind. Being a communications student, I
interacted with a lot of people, did interviews on people round school and really, living my best
life. Through my social interactions, I met a boy, one Saturday night, who swept me off my feet.
I enjoyed every step of it. Especially the fact that he could challenge me mentally, something I
had never experienced.
My mom once told me, "Mitch, never assume that it won't happen to you!" Most times it was
after I narrated to her stories about my peers. People are people (Jason Baker., 2012). I never
assumed it would happen to me. Nobody does. I could not be a mother at 20! No! In this era of
information and the internet, only ignorance and carelessness would lead you to such a
consequence? What would my society make of me? What about my education? Is my youth in
the gutter right now?
I put that test strip back on the table and started questioning everything I have ever learned. Deep
down, I blamed myself and my ignorance rather. It was my final semester in my second year and
I had two options. To keep or not to keep this being? I'm not from a well-off family. In another
life, I'd have loved to keep this little soul and bring up a noble member of society. Sing him/her
lullabies and drive them to school just before I report to work but that’s far-fetched. It is almost
impossible. I barely have enough for myself. I was still a child, I could not raise another!

In times of sorrow and despair, we are compelled to turn to people we feel the closest to
(Nansen, F. 2008). In this case, my mind switched to my handsome boy. His reply, “Do whatever
you want! Just don’t involve me!” The father of my child is from a comfortably well-off family
but he wanted nothing to do with me or us rather. This is not the man I fell in love with, but from
missed calls and unanswered messages are enough to tell you that he was serious when he said
he did not want in. My other closest person was my mother, a religious African woman who
would be disappointed as I had brought shame to the family but hey, mothers are supposed to
stick by you through thick and thin. Well, my mom wanted nothing to do with me either. I have
never felt more unwanted in my life. I was homeless and in despair.
My best friend knew of my predicament and offered to live with me as I tried to figure out what
to do with my life. I have always thought of myself as an artist. A contemporary one rather since
my art does not belong to huge gallery walls. I braid nappy hair well. My knitted and sewn
clothing are very good and my friends say I give very decent manicures and pedicures. With my
mom and ex-boyfriend out of the picture, my only way out was to capitalize on these talents to
raise money for the baby.
Or just go to an abortion clinic. Both my decisions were tough but I had to choose. If I decided to
give birth, I would be due just after the second semester of my third year. That was enough time