Yes, it's all the pro-lifers' faults that these young people living in a sex-saturated society (with available condoms in every corner drugstore) decided to lay down and play grown-up before they were actually grown-ups. And got themselves pregnant. Yup. Pro-lifers are the easy scapegoat if you don't want to face the truth.

We "made it happen." LOL, right. You keep showing the kids how to do the deed "safely" *insert eyeroll*, shoving birth control and condoms at them, and telling them they have "rights to privacy" and then blame the people AGAINST PP for the logical results? This person has taken leave of his/her senses.

Twenty years ago, I might have said "what a shame" when I saw a young pregnant teen but not any more. Now, when I see a teen mom and a teen dad pushing their child in a stroller, I see a beautiful, selfless young woman and man who chose life - who are wise beyond their years. Praise God.

I've worked with many teen moms and many of them get pregnant "accidentally on purpose" -- they think it's a way of "keeping" a man, or they want attention, or in their socio-economic class, it's not considered tragic, shameful or unusual. And interestingly, if a girl has an older sister who is a teen mom, she's much more likely to become one herself.

Phillymiss,
Do their mothers "go along" or is there an attempt by them to change this mind-set? How often does the boy/man stick around?

I've worked with many teen moms and many of them get pregnant "accidentally on purpose" -- they think it's a way of "keeping" a man, or they want attention, or in their socio-economic class, it's not considered tragic, shameful or unusual. And interestingly, if a girl has an older sister who is a teen mom, she's much more likely to become one herself.
Posted by: Phillymiss at May 5, 2010 3:07 PM

Wonderful insight. I totally agree.

" birth control and sex education was out of reach "???
Teens these days know a lot more about birth control and sex than we ever even dreamed of when we were their age. But if I remember correctly the mindset you have when you are a teenager, it's something like "oh, whatever, it's not gonna happen to me, I'll just do it this one time, etc.." It's not that they don't know about birth control, it's that they're not always using it responsibly (or at all). And I can't blame them, look at the side effects of the Pill, I've been on it for all of 3 weeks of my life and would never go back to it!

Janet, love the attitude shift. It is a shame it's counter-cultural to choose life in the face of any kind of adverse circumstance (it is also counter-cultural to choose to remain abstinent before marriage, unfortunately).

The only one who's saying "what a shame" is Planned Parenthood because it provided one less abortion.

D. Martin doesn't understand individual responsibility & consequences. Being responsible and accepting consequences is a choice. That's right - "Life" is a choice.

Janet, in many cases the mothers are upset, in other cases they are supportive, others seem to be indifferent. And in many cases, the fathers are much older (early twenties and older) than the girls. In many cases they aren't around, or just involved in the child's life marginally. It is a shame. I've read that girls who are involved in sports, scouting, or other activities are less likely to become pregnant, but unfortunately, for many kids today, scouting, etc., is "corny."

Phillymiss, it's too bad these girls can't see that allowing boys to use your body in exchange for the shallow, fairweather "love" and attention is more "corny" than doing something respectable with yourself, bettering yourself - doing something worthwhile. And I say that without malice because I was once similarly deluded.

Phillymiss, and army_wife,

Along the same lines of children getting involved and bettering themselves... I'm so disappointed today - the Illinois House has voted down a school voucher program whereby 30,000 inner city-children would be given a voucher ($3600) towards a private school of their choosing. These are children who would have the strong support of their parents, and teachers who care about teaching in a disciplined environment, and the legislature doesn't care enough to support them. Argh!!

It's not that they don't know about birth control, it's that they're not always using it responsibly (or at all).
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I agree.

And Janet, you make a good point. It's so rare to see any teenager who chooses life in those situations. I think that, especially in the church, teens are so shamed for their pregnancies. It's terrible. We should be loving them and their babies, too.

The situation is the same here in Philly and anywhere they have powerful teacher's unions. I'm not anti-union -- I belong to one myself -- but I bet all those legislators send their children to nonpublic schools!

On MTV's 16 & Pregnant the girls all disussed that they had used condoms a 'couple of time" but stopped because the boys didn't like it so they definitely had access. Several of the girls' parents had put them on the pill but the girls just didn't care enough to take it.

yeah....its us pro-lifers who DENY them education and access. Sounds like they had education and access to birth control. Lot of good it did them. What their PARENTS should have done is deny them access to their boyfriends/girlfriends. Where are these kids having sex? How do their parents not know WHERE they are, WHAT they are doing???? After school I was expected to be home. My mom always knew where I was.

"I see a beautiful, selfless young woman and man who chose life - Janet"
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Amen, Janet. I work downtown Chicago everyday and everytime I see a pregnant woman (no matter what age)...I always say a silent prayer of thanks for this woman for choosing Life.

"birth control and sex education was out of reach for those teens and young people."
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DANG! The entire culture is swimming in BC and sex education courtesy of the Federal and Local Gov't funding and the Dept of Education's mandates...and the Pro-lifers are the ones responsible for teens not having access?

SHEESH! And you call this guy a journalist?
Maybe he should get a refund on his Diploma (if he even got one)?