Let say that Antonia's Dad has nothing to do with why she grew up feeling she had to spend and overspend. I'll go with that for a minute.What I think is very valuable is pointing out to her that she has no compassion for people who can't "get it together" yet she expects people to pay for her and accept her. I thought this was a highlight of the gripes she had with Cassie, actually. I imagined what would happen if Antonia found herself pregnant and no one bailed her out financially? That phrase "you couldn't get it together for your son?" would then become her issue.
This may be a way to address Antonia's denial about her own incompetence. She's so harsh about other people's weaknesses. She might separate drugs and alcohol as different from her own problems but I don't think she's far from simply saying she can't afford to have a kid (if she were in her father's or Cassie's earlier shoes). At this point she can't afford to have herself. Heck, even employers aren't hiring her because they judge you based on your credit record.
And the only reason she can't afford it is because she's become overindebted. Well there's that and also refusing to grow up for whatever other reasons. I really don't feel like I know much about her to speculate why she's so lacksadaisacal (sp)
People can have a variety of reactions what appears the same situation. I went to college with a girl who dreamt of being a veteranarian. We were both broke and it was an expensive school. She wouldn't take a dime in loans though. Her dad was alcoholic, deadbeat, and spent time in jails. She clearly carried a huge chip on her shoulder and perservered in very technical, difficult majors - but more Engineering type degrees and multiple majors.
She had nothing material, no one gave her anything, but she didn't run up credit cards and wasn't lazy for a minute. She was stunningly pretty with naturally pale blonde hair and blue eyes but never played on her looks to get anywhere, either. It was like the opposite of Antonia. I lost touch with her but saw in our alumni publication that just... (drumroll please)... opened Veteranary practice near the university.
So maybe the difference - just speculating here - has to do with what a young woman lets herself get away with doing? At some point you pull things together and you choose to take an easy road or you don't.