Last Friday, Republican presidential nominee John McCain announced his V.P. pick, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska. And over the weekend the buzz of a virtually unknown female vice presidential candidate heightened with the news that her 17-year-old daughter is currently five months pregnant.
Once again, the issue of teenage pregnancy has been thrust into the limelight with another high-profile case. Just as the frenzy over Jamie Lynn Spears had died down, Bristol Palin's saga is just beginning.
Once again, the issue of teenage pregnancy has been thrust into the limelight with another high-profile case. Just as the frenzy over Jamie Lynn Spears had died down, Bristol Palin's saga is just beginning.
On Tuesday, I was contacted by The Baltimore Sun for an article they were doing on the controversy. During the interview, I made three main points:
1. I wasn't altogether shocked by the news that Bristol Palin is expecting. After all, I know first-hand that teen pregnancy is not reserved for a certain group of people, a socio-economic class, or a geographic region. It's far too complex for that. It can happen to anyone, anywhere. From Hollywood to Alaska to Virginia Beach, Va. The sooner we accept this and stop making it "their" problem, the sooner we can really make progress in preventing teenage pregnancy and helping young families get on their feet.
2. Which brings me to my second point. We need more support for pregnant and parenting teens! While many people rally behind prevention efforts, there is so little support or funding for helping young mothers get an education, become financially stable, etc. I'm not sure what we're afraid of. Helping young families will not increase the number of pregnancies in teens. Instead it will break the cycles of poverty and teen pregnancy that plague so many families, and it will help the children of these young mothers. It will give them a better chance in life. How can we not support that?
3. Lastly, I hope that Bristol Palin's decision to marry the father of her child is not being forced upon her. I don't believe that marrying for the sake of a baby is the right decision. I joked with the reporter about what the divorce rate would be if we all married the people we were dating when we were 17. Scary thought, isn't it?! Marriage is such an important and sacred thing. Even when two people love each other to death it requires hard work. Everyone suffers - including the child - in an unhappy union.
Bristol Palin is in a good situation. Fortunately, she will not have to "pull herself up by her bootstraps." She has the support of the Palin family, which means she will fare far better than the majority of young girls who find themselves in this situation. I'm hoping that instead of just talking about teen pregnancy, this situation will prompt us to actually do something. Let's look at it differently and stop treating young mothers like pariahs. Governor Palin has recognized that her daughter can't do this alone. She needs help during this difficult time. Don't all young women deserve the same?
To read The Baltimore Sun article, please click here.
Wishing you love and blessings,
Nicole
1. I wasn't altogether shocked by the news that Bristol Palin is expecting. After all, I know first-hand that teen pregnancy is not reserved for a certain group of people, a socio-economic class, or a geographic region. It's far too complex for that. It can happen to anyone, anywhere. From Hollywood to Alaska to Virginia Beach, Va. The sooner we accept this and stop making it "their" problem, the sooner we can really make progress in preventing teenage pregnancy and helping young families get on their feet.
2. Which brings me to my second point. We need more support for pregnant and parenting teens! While many people rally behind prevention efforts, there is so little support or funding for helping young mothers get an education, become financially stable, etc. I'm not sure what we're afraid of. Helping young families will not increase the number of pregnancies in teens. Instead it will break the cycles of poverty and teen pregnancy that plague so many families, and it will help the children of these young mothers. It will give them a better chance in life. How can we not support that?
3. Lastly, I hope that Bristol Palin's decision to marry the father of her child is not being forced upon her. I don't believe that marrying for the sake of a baby is the right decision. I joked with the reporter about what the divorce rate would be if we all married the people we were dating when we were 17. Scary thought, isn't it?! Marriage is such an important and sacred thing. Even when two people love each other to death it requires hard work. Everyone suffers - including the child - in an unhappy union.
Bristol Palin is in a good situation. Fortunately, she will not have to "pull herself up by her bootstraps." She has the support of the Palin family, which means she will fare far better than the majority of young girls who find themselves in this situation. I'm hoping that instead of just talking about teen pregnancy, this situation will prompt us to actually do something. Let's look at it differently and stop treating young mothers like pariahs. Governor Palin has recognized that her daughter can't do this alone. She needs help during this difficult time. Don't all young women deserve the same?
To read The Baltimore Sun article, please click here.
Wishing you love and blessings,
Nicole
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