Teen Pregnancy

[AZhitman]

Here are some factsAbstinence appears to not be the correct choice as it does not work

Ah, I love your broad and sweeping generalizations, especially when they're wrong...

http://blogs.usatoday.com/scie....html

Certainly not a cure-all, and I'd advocate for sex ed as well... but to say "abstinence doesn't work" is foolish.

Nobody ever got pregnant abstaining from sex.

[rn79870]

Good for you.

I think the more chronologically mature (ok, the old guys) here will agree with me when I say as you get older, it's a lot less important.

I love women, always have. As I get older though, I appreciate their intellect, their companionship, and their differing viewpoints on matters as much as their *ahem* physical attributes.

Don't rush it. Priorities are key.

I think he meant he's married and his wife might do a Lorena Bobbitt number on him if he thought about touching...

[AZhitman]

I think he meant he's married and his wife might do a Lorena Bobbitt number on him if he thought about touching...

Ah.

My bad.

Well, either way - Good for him.

[OriginalWheelman]

I'm at that 'look but don't touch' stage in life...

Well, hopefully you don't get to the "touch but don't look" stage. It's sad.

[AZhitman]

Well, hopefully you don't get to the "touch but don't look" stage. It's sad.

Brilliant.

[Marenta]

Nobody ever got pregnant abstaining from sex.

Mary did.. and look what happened to that child. Tsk Tsk!

I'm truly amazed, because we scoff at countries who still practice arranged marriages at ages 12 and 13, when we were doing the same thing not just 200 years ago. And now, our 12 and 13 year olds look like they're 16 and 17, and our 16 and 17 year olds look like they're 20 and 21. The mentality still hasn't changed, though.

Unless the child has been through something to make them grow up quicker than what is unnecessary, then they all think the same way. That they truly are invincible, and that they are the king of the world. It isn't until they get their god smack (whichever god it is) that they'll realize how much growing they really have yet to do.

No child is ready in their teens to have another child, and therefore I don't think they should walk around without knowing the full responsibility of their actions. Hell, I know people at the age of 35 who weren't ready for their first child. Nothing prepares you for that fact, nothing ever can, or ever will. But, the more time you have to live, the more experiences you share with others, the more adaptable you will be when you do decide to have a child.

I am happy with naivety in others, because I consider it mostly harmless. But, I will not let ignorance ruin my son's life. He will be taught, even if I have to tie him down to a chair to teach him. He will be taught. I am not going to punish him for his decisions, but I am going to ensure that he takes responsibility for his actions if he so chooses to act, even after my lessons. I will help him as much as I can, but I will not tolerate ignorance.

[AZhitman]

Well-said.

And then, if and when he DOES screw up, you can rest well at night knowing you hammered the message home, and he chose not to heed it.

Good on ya, Mom!!!

[Encryptshun]

Sorry, I don't ascribe to the notion that teaching and encouraging abstinence doesn't work.

It doesn't work if the parent is setting a bad example. It doesn't work if the parent is permissive in other areas. And it doesn't work if the parent's credibility is compromised.

Good thing someone who is permissive, whose credibility is compromised, and who sets a bad example is the Republican nominee for VP, then, huh?

[OriginalWheelman]

Unless the child has been through something to make them grow up quicker than what is unnecessary, then they all think the same way. That they truly are invincible, and that they are the king of the world.

A good read on the subject.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health...shtml

It makes a lot of things make sense if you read it.

[AZhitman]

Good thing someone who is permissive, whose credibility is compromised, and who sets a bad example is the Republican nominee for VP, then, huh?

Permissive? If my kid gets in trouble, am I automatically "permissive"? Fail.Compromised credibility? I'm not seeing it. You mean like lying?Sets a bad example? Really? I see a strong, successful, focused woman.

I'd recommend applying all those criteria to the Beloved Obamessiah and see how he fares.

I'd also recommend remembering that the behavior of one's children is not always a reflection on them... I seem to remember the last DNC candidate having a son who couldn't seem to lay off the narcotics.

[Encryptshun]

Nice dodge, Greg, but you were the one who threw out the generalization that abstinance doesn't work when...

I just pointed out that, if you're going to shoot a shotgun, better know the diameter of the scatter.

And for the record, those "oh yeah, but what about that DEMOCRAT blah blah" counterpoints don't work on me. I'm neither, and I've voted Republican every time I've cast a ballot since 1992.

[Soravia]

If abstinance has to GO, put out the legal sex age limit as well.

[dusred]

You can't legislate hormones away.

However, I do like the idea.

[AZhitman]

Nice dodge, Greg, but you were the one who threw out the generalization that abstinance doesn't work when...

Not so much a dodge as a concession to the other side. Recall I am a supporter of teaching abstinence, and related my own experience (it worked for me and my family).

I was making a concession that it's all null and void if delivered improperly... it don't work for everyone.

Not sure how my good faith attempt at inclusion can be interpreted as a "dodge", but I'll heal.

And for the record, those "oh yeah, but what about that DEMOCRAT blah blah" counterpoints don't work on me. I'm neither, and I've voted Republican every time I've cast a ballot since 1992.

I knew that (well, the first part). I just wanted to make sure you didn't wind up with 12 hungry Libbies hanging off your coattails.

[Encryptshun]

Not sure how my good faith attempt at inclusion can be interpreted as a "dodge", but I'll heal.

I admire your fortitude.

And your car collection.

And your manly physique.

[AZhitman]

"Two outa three ain't bad."

- MeatLoaf

[Encryptshun]