This is a hard question. Sometimes I feel like 'young mothers' are moms who had their first when they were under 25. But as time goes on, I feel like young mother's are any mothers who still feel young, or have had children before fulfilling the strange status quo guide lines that our society puts on us.
I'm sure in the 80's, a young mother would be a woman who had children before 20. But now a days, like one of the pp's said, society sets standards for young women based on the feminist movement and the idea that women 'can do it all'. In today's world, if we do things the 'right way', we're supposed to finish college and then travel and get a good job, spend a few years building a career, get married, buy a house, and then put everything on hold to have a baby. By that time, we're almost thirty. And then comes the big question: go back to work so you can enjoy the same financial tranquility you've had before, or stay home and raise your children? And again, in today's world you're lucky if you even have the choice.
It's sad, but true. I don't think its a question of education. Most women finish their education at age 22. But they still wait until they're almost thirty to concieve because they are pressured to fit into the mold.
That's why I think young mother's are so brave. They put what they want out of life before the 'socially acceptable time line' we're all supposed to have. They aren't afraid to live, even if it might mean working harder or longer or being more organised. They know that they can 'have it all' but they choose to take on the hardest and most important part of life first and then push the career down to the second priority line.
Everyone has the right to live their life the way they see fit. And there are advantages to both sides of the spectrum. Older parents might be more financially stable, stable in their relationships and have more patience and be 'settled'.
I am what I consider to be a young mother. I had my first when I was 21. By that time I had traveled the world and spent a year studying in Paris. I was a semester away from finishing my bachelor's degree, which imo equates to a well balanced education. I had partied hardy, had ups and downs and when the time came, i felt absolutely ready to settle down and handle the challenge of children. What I think is great about being a young mom is that even though I haven't had the chance to put my career first, I know that once my children are older, I will spend just as much time working and building a career as my older mother counterparts; Except whereas a lot of older moms will be facing difficulties mid career (taking five to ten years maternity leave after being a career woman for almost a decade might be a tough emotional and financial decision i would guess) I know when I am thirty two all of my children will be scholarised and I will have the choice of careers open to me to pursue whatever my hearts desire. So the outcome is the same.
Either way, young or old, a mother is a mother and we all have that in common.