Why do people congratulate someone for becoming pregnant?
Thousands of people become pregnant by ACCIDENT every single day, so why do people congratulate others for it? It's not as if it's particularly hard to do. Congratulating someone for giving birth I can see, because they went through the pregnancy, gave birth, and now have a child. But for just becoming pregnant... that's a bit like congratulating someone for tripping over the door stop, or sending an e-mail, or answering the phone. It's basically congratulating someone for having sex, which we wouldn't do if there was no pregnancy. Also, why is it socially acceptable to say "We're trying to get pregnant", but not "We're having a lot of unprotected sex lately." You're saying the same thing.
Why do people congratulate TEENS/YOUNG GIRLS for being PREGNANT?
I understand where you're coming from. These girls have put themselves and their future children in a bad situation. They need support but also need to understand just what hard work the next 18-20 years of raising this child (possibly entirely) alone. I think saying that a majority of single mothers are not fit to be parents are wrong. You have to understand that you are only talking of one demographic (single mothers who happen to be very young) and when it comes to single parents they are the breadwinner and playing the emotional role of two parents so they are doing 3x the work. Often single parents are working part or full time and acting as both Mum and Dad at the same time. I can agree with you about immature parents who put their selfish wants over the needs of their children though and understand there are parents out there like this. Oh and by the way you may want to edit this you cannot be married out of wedlock as if you're married you're in wedlock. I'm guessing you mean a child out of wedlock. It's not usually the greatest thing but it can work if the parents are in a stable relationship. Ie I have 6 third cousins who were born out of wedlock. Only one of of the 7 (in that faction of my family anyway) were born while his parents were actually married. The only relationship not to work was the marriage. All the ones where children have been born out of wedlock have so far lasted.
My boyfriend just had a baby with his ex. How do I congratulate him? Do I buy him something or just let him be with his baby for a while and take a few steps back?
If he got her pregnant while you two were together then you should take a many steps back indefinitely, and move on.However, if you met one another while his then ex was already pregnant with his child then it becomes a more nuanced situation. I would suggest giving him some space and not pressuring him. It’s a big change in his life, be supportive and be a part of his life, but don’t be in the way or place pressure on him to put you first. Communicate to ensure you’re both invested in your relationship and both receiving what you need from the relationship. Ideally you can both be responsive to one another’s needs without impact to other parts of your or his life, but if not then you each may need to re-evaluate your situation.
Is it bad manners to say congratulations before a baby is born?
It is an intelligent question as far as etiquette is concerned. I have read six answers till now and have noticed that there is room for another answer at least. People who believe in religion and practice it fervently would like to wish the best with lots of prayers for the health of both, i.e., mother and baby. This may have some variations in choice of words, style, timing and the manner but usually is widely an accepted and acknowledged way of congratulating. Hope this adds value to the six answers already have been nicely given.
Is it grammatically correct to say "Congratulation to you for having a beautiful daughter" to my friend (male)?
It's incorrect. You could say 'Congratulations to you for having a beautiful daughter.'If you are talking about a baby, this is also socially correct. If you are talking to a father about his teenage daughter, be prepared for both her and her mother to glare at you coldly for suggesting that her father is solely responsible for her beauty. In addition, the assumption that beauty is the only important thing about which you could offer congratulations is fairly offensive to many women, especially if the young woman in question is intelligent and talented. She may well consider her talents to be far more important than her facial appearance.