For about an hour, I observed young would-be parents who had only just left sixth form.

For about an hour, I observed a pair of soon-to-be parents, barely out of sixth form.

Not long ago, I had an appointment with my gynaecologist. As usual, there was a queue, and the doctor was running late. Standing behind me was a pregnant girl, no more than eighteen years old, accompanied by the babys father, also around the same age. The parents paid no heed to the queue, acting just as they pleased. The young man was laughing loudly throughout the hallway, clearly thrilled at the thought of having a son.

Isnt it brilliant were having a boy? Hahahahaha

He must have repeated that a dozen times before a new idea struck him. Hang on, we havent picked a name yet! Lets name him after one of the doctors!

He began to pace the corridor, reading aloud the doctors names from the wall, making running commentary on each. His tour concluded, he plonked himself down next to his girlfriend, dissolving into giggles once again. An older woman passing by couldnt hold her tongue any longer:

Young man, do calm yourself down!

The boy turned with genuine surprise, glanced at her, and replied, Granny, are you pregnant too? Hahaha…

His girlfriend giggled softly, with the same silly look on her face. It took all my restraint not to cause a scene with the pregnant girl; I managed to hold my tongue. When they tired of that topic, the young man turned his attention to food.

Im starving! Honestly, Im famished and theres still half an hour to go in this queue.

Lets pop over for a pasty! We can come back after.

I dont fancy a pasty.

Youve become so fussy! Hahaha

Their incessant chatter was giving everyone a headache, but thankfully, the couple soon wandered offpasty or not, I couldnt say, but that hardly mattered. The important thing was that they left.

With some apprehension, I considered what sort of upbringing their child might receive. It worried me that their little one might grow up just as inconsiderate. I wanted to hope that the grandparents would step in, but given the behaviour in front of me, it seemed unlikely much would change for the next generation.

Witnessing moments like this reminds us that not every parent is prepared for the responsibility of raising a child. Sometimes, it takes a community to guide the young so the next generation might know better.