Were the reactions of Laura's parents and grandmother typical for that time and place? In what ways do you think parents today would react similarly, and in what ways differently?

Laura's parents and grandmother had very strong reactions to news of her pregnancy. Which do you feel were typical for that time and place, and which, do you think, were not? In what ways do you think parents today would react similarly, and in what ways differently?

Throughout the book, i was disturbed by Laura’s mother, who was obviously quite disturbed herself, but also either amazed by Laura’s resilience, or disappointed by her lack of mettle. she was so desperate for her mother’s love and acceptance (as she was for her “boyfriend’s”); was this part of the reason she was so attached to her baby? the grandmother was more understandable because of her generation.

Absolutely accurate descriptions for the time! One of the most indelible moments of my own story was my mother’s reaction.

I think that it is accurate for the time. In today's world, things are handled much differently however it depends on the family. Some still want to hide pregnancies away and others find ways to honor the child and mother. I've known families that the grandmother raised the child and folks thought the child was birthed by grandma. Secrets really often lead to hardship.

I was appalled by Laura’s parents reaction even though it was common. My parents would have never reacted that way. They loved us no matter what, even if their own hearts were breaking. They helped us through our mistakes and difficult times and put us first. I understand that many parents were (and still are) more concerned with appearances and other people’s reactions, and I’m truly saddened when children have parents who are be so unkind.

Having her put her son up for adoption was probably the norm.the mother and the family situation could be norm or not. Her mother was hateful but many girls in that situation came from loving mothers. What is amazing is that history did not repeat itself and Laura was able to be a loving mother.

For that time period their actions were totally typical. Unintended pregnancies were taboo and dealt with secretly. Over all I feel parents are more accepting of these situations and a lot of times are helpful to their daughters. Moms are generally more willing to help with their grandchild and less apt to sweep it under the rug and deal with it secretly

although I think they acted the same as other parents would have, I think they seemed to lack the love and sympathy that most parents have for their children.

During this time period I think the reactions of Laura's parents and grandmother were more typical for white families with resources. I think in the black community the pregnancy was more accepted and the baby was cared for by the girl's family: mothers, grandmothers and even aunts. Sometimes the child was adopted by a relative.
Today, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, the stigma of being an unwed mother seems to have vanished.

I think the reactions of Laura's parents and grandmother were typical for the time period. A teenage pregnancy was a source of great embarrassment to the girl's family, especially among white families.
The reaction of Laura's mother was less typical. There seemed to be other issues at play there - depression? And her treatment of Laura was inconsistent and harmful at least emotionally.
A young woman who becomes pregnant has more options available to her today, at least for now, and the stigma is not nearly so great.

Oh, I definitely think their reactions were a sign of the times (probably almost a knee jerk reflex) "What are the neighbors going to think?"
As far as how things are different now is that there is a lot less stigma attached to it.

This book brought a flood of emotions and memories from my teenage years 50 years ago. I was raised in a conservative small town in the Midwest, and went to a private Catholic school. My parents greatest fear (embarrassment) was that any one of their four daughters would end up pregnant as teenagers. I remember wondering if my parents would really turn their back on me or my sisters if this happened. And to this day, I believe we would have been disowned/kicked out of the house.

The contradiction to me was that this shaming came from a religious perspective and I wondered what type of God would want parents to treat their children this way. As it was, my parents never suffered this embarrassment. However, it was the same shaming treatment I received years later when I decided I wanted a divorce. I stayed in my marriage way longer than I should have because of the fear of what my parents would do/say.

So while there is a more tolerant attitude about these types of things today, it still lingers as a bad memory for me. I made a decision that I wasn't going to judge my children, but rather support them no matter what.

Yes, it depicts the more extreme reaction from southern parents in the early 60s particularly those who were deeply religious. However, I think most would have tried to find a way to keep the child in the family unlike Laura's parents and grandmother. There were plenty, however, who more worried about their community's reactions and judgments on the family then the trauma they would impose on their daughter and grandchild.

There's definitely more tolerance for single mothers and their babies today. I'm sure there are still cases where certain viewpoints still prevail, especially in the Bible-belt South.