May. 27, 2009
Teen Pregnancy-where does the problem stem from?
Posted in contemplations
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A friend of mine, just forwarded this article to me about teen pregnancy. It hit me that we are putting the focus on 'teens not getting pregnant', either by abstinence or by contraceptives... right? Both 'sides' agree. & yet why are so many teens getting pregnant?? The article explains it this way: "Sex is the sugar coating on the drive to reproduce, and that drive is nearly overwhelming. It’s supposed to be; it’s the survival engine of the human race. Fighting it means fighting a basic bodily instinct, akin to fighting thirst." So, when a child is 'fighting his natural urges' for almost 2 decades (wow-thats a long time before society will applaud your marriage) then it's almost to be expected, for the teens to mess up. (Sad, but true.) Heres where I almost stood on my desk to applaud the author: "Teen pregnancy is not the problem *Unwed* teen pregnancy is the problem. It’s childbearing outside marriage that causes all the trouble. Restore an environment that supports younger marriage, and you won’t have to fight biology for a decade or more." that quote is the misunderstanding that another friend and I were having. :-) Neither of us were able to express ourselves as well as this article encompasses all that we both feel about this issue. I completely agree with that article. but with the focus being on, well like it says here : "Until a century or so ago, it was presumed that children were in training to be adults. From early years children helped keep the house or tend the family business or farm, assuming more responsibility each day. By late teens, children were ready to graduate to full adulthood, a status they received as an honor. How early this transition might begin is indicated by the number of traditional religious and social coming-of-age ceremonies that are administered at ages as young as 12 or 13." How are any young adults going to be ready for marriage when their whole lives (up till then) have been used to simply play around. They get to do NOTHING but play and have fun, joking and acting silly and just passing the time. But they ARE in training.... in training to be irresponsible teens. But these day if you are raising your kids to be adults you can (and will likely WILL) be called an abusive parent. It's "abusive" to make your son and daughter wash dishes. Its "abusive" to have your older kids help out with the younger ones. Its "abusive" to train your children (NOW) to be responsible later... because then "they aren't having fun". & You'll most likely hear "well, children need to be free to play all day". Anyway, heres what I am worried about: HOW can we change the culture enough so that my son will have a responsible young lady to marry at 18 (which by then he should have been working since the age of 13, and have saved enough to buy his house-at least thats our goal)??? Where will we find other young people to surround him with, when the time comes for us (as a family) to begin looking for potential spouses??? So, that is my opinion. :-) What do you all think? Alexia |
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