i am doing an assignment for school and wanted to get a much wider view on things

The answer is yes, in my opinion.
But that is not saying we should be happy with it.
I remember being young in a different era, girls took holidays, to have the child mum and dad made them give the child up.
It was a shock when it happened in my family, we got over it and kept the child.
Remember the person I was then,[you too will be several people in one lifetime].
I mostly ignored good advice, and love was not invented by this generation or the next, being a parent too early can ruin both lives mum and the child's.
Sex need not lead to pregnancy

I think society is more accepting now because of adults shortcomings.
Commonly called shacking up, instead of marriage. The modern adult is unable to commit to a responsible life.
Teenage pregnancy today is unfortunate and does not have to be, not like old days.

Accepting, rather than wishing to punish the mother?

Accepting, rather than giving a toss what the neighbors might think?

Yep and yep.

niccalee:

The following website may be of some help to you:

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/teenage_pregnancy

Yes we are now more accepting of teenage pregnancies, because if the pregnancy wasn't planned, we know anyone can make mistakes.

We know that if we didn't support these women and babies, then we would have even more social problems in our society than we already have.

Gone are the days of 'fallen women' and 'bastard children', thank goodness. Nowadays, the teenage fathers are expected to be every bit as accountable for their actions as the mothers.

Given the right support, teenage parents and their children can be an asset to the community

Well Lady's it looks like I am the only bloke so far to have a say.
Lets not be too defensive, my thoughts come from another time.
And I learned and grew during that time too.
My big family had left the bush and came to Sydney ,for work.
A sibling had the first of a lot of kids, males from dad to me in our family, a long time ago, took it hard.
But that went the day the young boy arrived.
After dad died I went on to rare him and 4 more of his siblings.
Now treading the tight wire of truth here, but no way I am not saying what I think.
We do handle it better, the real victim however is both mother and child.
And in these days no need for early child births should exist.
It is not! never can be!a women only issue, many men walk away from their responsibility first to the mum then the child and if answers are to come men must be involved.
One twig on my family tree has born many single mums, you may see if you look the birth of that twig, and count the children by double figures, no way it should have happened.
In fact it was very wrong and irresponsible.
Frankly in this case some kids are unwanted.
And my sister? she now mirrors my life raring her kids kids.
While I have highlighted the victims it is to me at least, rare that early mother hood is good for anyone.

There is no stigma in young responsible parents, the social stigma still remains in uncommitted parents and fatherless children. It is not good for the child or the community.

The term "teenage pregnancy" only became evocative 80 odd years ago. Our forebears who had a much shorter life expectancy had to get at it early, so teenage pregnancy was the norm for the masses before then except ,
for the rich who tended not to marry off their kids so early.

From the 1930's to the 1960's Aussie orphanages were primarily supplied the babes from most teenage births because of the social ramifications, oddly in a society that then espoused to follow Christianity but made moral judgments on behalf of the teen. Usually the folks decided that the bub had to go because of what the neighbors would say, today we would tell them to mind their own business.

Most teens keep their kids now because they can receive support benefits and no moral stigma with the demise in religious practice. But single parenting is definitely not a positive thing for the child, that’s the down side.

Most of the support groups for for single mothers today are run by Church groups.

Are most support groups today run by church groups Philo?
Where are the stats or proof for that statement Philo?
I tried to find some on line, but wasn't very successful.

Maybe the few 'church groups' for single mothers that may be out there are trying to atone for the extreme damage their loving predecessors did to single mothers and babies when they were torn away from each other at birth, in the name of a 'forgiving' God?

If you have the opportunity, talk to some teenage mothers while doing your research. I think those who have experience with teen pregnancy may view things differently from those who don't.

I taught a girl a few years ago who had been sexually abused and, consequently, gave birth to a son at the age of 14. I can say with absolute certainty that I will be looking forward to seeing her (as a parent) at parent-teacher interviews in the years to come much more than I look forward to seeing some of the 'stable home' parents.

As one of the last pieces of Year 12 English, our students did a reflective passage. She wrote about how her favourite moment each and every day was picking her son up from pre-school in the afternoon - him running over to her and giving her a big hug. This was tinged with sadness, though, as many of the other mothers saw her in her school uniform and murmured behind her back, judged her and occasionally abused her to her face. With these women in mind, I'd say that large parts of our society are still not more accepting. That their nastiness couldn't tarnish the best part of her day suggests that they should be - while they turn the afternoon kindy run into an opportunity for gossip, cruelty and bitterness, she turned an occasion of gossip, cruelty and bitterness into a genuine celebration of the best things in her life.

I like the story of that young girl you gave us and agree with the bitterness she faced.
Each of us has a different reality and times made it different.
Philo, please do not see this as God bothering.
Suzeonline told a far more believable story,I too am unimpressed with the dreadful past of Church's in this area.
And never saw a positive outcome in this area from Church's
We say Children can be cruel, see it in every school, so too can adults, needlessly infamously.
My story was not of one accident,it was from a time before the pill, but it happened 7 times,to one mother.
And continues today, a complete understanding is not possible without knowing what can happen .
Each case is different, but we now have more children in care than at anytime in my life.
Right now, in a small country town,over 20 children live in foster care in 5 homes.
We are more excepting, so we should be, but is that the end?
I do think honestly,not every mum is ok with early child birth.
Not every kid is going to get by.
And yes strange for some blokes, but too many romeos never take responsibility for their kids.

In my 70 years of being in Churches I have found they are the ones in the earlier days to have established orpanages [Lutanda, Dalmar etc], adoption agencies, child and family welfare services [Salvation Army etc], established work among neglected and fatherless children [eg Watoto childrens choir, Compassion, World Vision etc] I have personally supported several Compassion children of fatherles parents. I have several female friends in Sydney and outer areas working in the areas of teenage street prostitution to assist these girls find a better life.

I find it is not family people that stigmatize teenage pregnancies it is rather the sterile professional Ms. They call them "breeders", and cless them in the same catogory as rabbits.

I find the problem among young girls is lack of love and emotional security from their fathers; and the disrespect by men for the sacredness of others bodies especially of young women, to whom they make no lifetime committment.

Niccalee:

You might want to look into the following:

I recently read an interesting article where they stated that the new sexual freedom was not always accompanied by responsibility. That the US had a much higher rate of teenage pregnancy and illegitimacy than other Western industrialized nations. And that the US is the only such society where teenage pregnancy - which now involves over a million adolescents a year - is increasing. Apparently - permissiveness alone can't account for the phenomenon, rates of teenage sexual activity are similar in the US to other nations. Nor does the reason lie in welfare benefits for unmarried mothers, as these apparently - are more generous in other countries. Nor are the lower pregnancy rates elsewhere, the result of easier abortions, for the other societies have lower abortion rates than the US. The reason seems to lie in birth control, which is easily and cheaply available to adolescents elsewhere, but apparently is more difficult for American teens to get. Apparently, the other nations are concerned that teenagers not get pregnant, and so encourage sexually active adolescents to use contraceptions. Whereas,the US is concerned that teenagers not have sex, and so discourages their use of contraception on the grounds that it might facilitate sexual activity. So, a combination of old values and new permissiveness leads to pregnancy - and then to abortion or illegitimacy. Interesting - and might be
worthwhile researching.

Niccalee I would like to hear from you again what are your thoughts on the subject.
I am aware generational differences bring different views.
And truly think you have put a very important issue out to air.
Philo, mate my back ground was very much in the church, as a child my family driven by mum went to church.
Is was a different reality in my then very small southern highlands village.
Forced to give up the child many suffer still today,children molested in such homes and while only minority's acted that way we know it happened.
While it is slightly of subject I remain convinced we should do every thing in our power to educate both sex's about early child births, it is in every ones interests to avoid it if possible.

Yes, so accepting, in fact, that it pays the mother for 18 years to raise the child, meeting the material needs of both mother and child. It annoys me that a single woman, as her "right", can decide to have a baby and society (including tax-payers already trying to raise their own kids) picks up the tab!

Why isn't my stay-at-home wife paid the same to look after our children? Why am I supporting my own kids and those of people who have some "right" to my support?

Mothers who have no way to support their offspring should give them up to Government agencies that meet the needs of all these children through institutions set up for the purpose. At least I would know my taxes were definitely being used entirely for the children's welfare. Mothers can have visiting rights and take them back when their circumstances change. This approach may take the shine off the romantic idea that some girls/women have about having a baby without support.

Do you believe that being a mother is a good thing? Then why does
"unwed" in front of it, make it a bad thing? Or is it your tax dollars that you feel are being spent needlessly? Don't fret. Who'll support you in your old age? Possibly the tax dollars of the children of all these "single" women!

Centacare have community buildings in every state and most cities around Australia, providing many services to individuals, one of these is providing excellent ongoing pregnancy support for teenagers and mothers since its inception 30-50 years ago.

Key in 'Centacare' and one will discover how many support services are run in each city and town across our Nation.

Staff in each city and town have counselled thousands upon thousands of teenagers from all walks of life urgently seeking assistance and saved thousands of lives; both mother and child.

A highly professional organisation with highly professional staff in two states I have interacted with on a couple of occasions regarding teenage girls.

The other side of the coin people.

There are positives and negatives with every organisation.

Anglicare has also provided fantastic support services to individuals families and young people over many years assisting and saving lives.

Methodist, Orthodox and other Church groups ditto.

The facts are that many teenagers faced with pregnancies prefer quietly seeking support from private organisations as opposed to many Clinics and government organisations in which many staff have been found to be cold, uncaring and non-supportive.

These comments from many teenagers I have worked with and come across personally over the past 7 years; many educated equally in both the public system and private systems.

We are unique you then would also know some mums are 13 and 14.
And Lexi while I support your view some mums have children,unwanted in fact, for the plasma TV.
Some have them for love but find it too hard.
Some wed early and have much loved kids and do it well.
We have many sides to this subject, making it a good one.
But I understand the post about tax and costs, but also understand once the child is born we have no other way.
Mothers and children are not left to die in this country.
The missing person in that post was the father.
I am aware my view is not shared by all, not concerned about that, but this problem is one we must find answers for.

thankyou all for your views they are very very helpful.
i believe society is more accepting and i think it is great we are all willing to help but i feel things can be done to futher prevent this from happening.

Sex education was not about in my school days.
I know it is now but how much is told to both sex's about the impacts of child birth.
We need to take to approach that mums and dads do not want kids on the pill, maybe at puberty the pill is given with out problems.
We are better but can do even more.
Avoidance may be best out come.

The way I saw told......all females that didn't have a brain, had to become breeders............I've got a better sentence...... If you have no sence......just don't think:)

You know! the world is full of people, and we still have leggers:)

Since the beginning of this year...........The amount of pro's that think their doing well...:) Just AGW.....USA.....and dolly-wood...well....and I wonder whats all this mean?......I know:)

10 billion people:)

I just cant wait:)

Tell you what.....from now.....lets count all the completely dumb females, that like to be dragged around like a cave-woman:)

BLUE

Remember Lady's the thread has been informative.
Two saw no reason to contribute any thing worth reading.
One appears not to be himself at night.
The other saw one side of the issue, one others know of and are even concerned about.
But no place in this thread was the subject just about unwanted pregnancy's.
Teen age pregnancy's can be planned.
And do bring well loved and looked after children.

To "we are unique", the churches do not support the needs of single mothers other than as an aid to the much greater support government provides. If the gov't wants to rally churches into the delivery of services to the offspring that I espoused in my last post, and churches want to join in, then great. I'm just against society paying women to be mothers, full stop. The paid parental leave idea is equally stupid, in my opinion.

It's time people took responsibility for themselves, their choices and their actions instead of laying back in the soft bosom of society. I made my choices and I'm living with them. To the poster who says I should look forward to having my retirement paid for by these offspring, I am also preparing for my own retirement through my own modest means, not expecting gov't to pick up the tab.

I'm support care for the needy, income redistribution in society and some level of middle-class welfare that necessarily accompanies this, but the balance is tipping to the point that we are losing the strength that built our nation. We must preserve the incentive for people to stand on their own two feet.

To "we are unique", the churches do not support the needs of single mothers other than as an aid to the much greater support government provides. Luciferase.

Centacare, other groups and Churches Luciferase.

Centacare has separately run their own counselling by hundreds of Psychologists for well over 30 years [teenage pregnancy counselling being just one of the many services they provide] across the Nation.

I could not give a hoot about debating whether government provide primary services vs Churches or Church organisations.

It is irrelevant to me.

The point I am making to Niccalee is that Centacare exists to support teenagers and many of these Counsellors make the road easier for those teenagers who may be struggling initially with "what their peers and/or society think".

Nicallee

you should do a wiki on Edward Bernays and how he changed public opinion on various things.

If you look around..his methods are being used to try to change public opinion on a lot today.. gay marriage being one..and perhaps earlier in our recent history it might have been teen pregnancy.

cheers

Do you agree with gay marriage Boazy?

Gay Marriage ? No Belly mate.. I absolutely reject it.

I have 'conservative' genes :) ie.. I am genetically challenged according to the Left.

HISTORY. Belly, gay marriage is just one of a number of 'self actualizing' outcomes of the EST movement. (Werner Erhard)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f17cu-TS-Tk&feature=related

Here is how it all happened

Freud... Student named Reich... started alternative school of human understanding (opposite of freud) which spawned the EST movement.

EST spawned the hippie movement and modern "me me me" generation.

Society frowns upon the promiscuous behaviour of teenage girls, as it results in pregnancy without parental responsibility by fathers. I have contact with several teenagers who are sexually promiscuous. One at 19 now has cervical cancer; others deliberately became pregnant to try to keep the father as a lover. However teenage boys are less committed to a sexual partner. Hence the young mum is abandoned to welfare and parents.

Attitudes have changed. Most people have a less judgemental approach to life and deal with the issues as presented. The old church based shame at unmarried mothers (as adulterers) no longer carries any weight.

However, with education becoming more and more important and teens not adopting out their offspring, a youthful pregnancy usually has serious economic consequences for the girl for the rest of their lives.

In poor families where this tends to occur more frequently, this simply reinforces the cycle of poverty.

This is why I support free contraception being offered at school without needing the parents permission as early as 14.

Several teens I know ceased taking the pill as they wanted to become pregnabt thinking it would secure their relationship with the boy.