A very frightening development

Tue Mar 19, 2013

Editor: I read with interest in the weekend’s newspaper that some eight girls between the ages of 11- 14 gave birth to babies during last year. While some may not consider this a problem, it is indeed a frightening development.{{more}}

One of the questions that needs to be asked is: were these guys who impregnated these girls charged with any sexual offence? Most important is the question of what are the reactions of these parents to such an occurrence?

I know there are many causes of teenage pregnancy. While time and space do not permit discussion on the subject, it is important that a few points be taken for consideration. In many cases, teenage pregnancy is as a result of poor parenting, where many girls are left to do as they wish or desire and without any proper guidance at home. So, when there is no good parental training, then naturally teenage pregnancy occurs and thus the blame is on the shoulders of the parents.

In some cases, fathers are not present in the home, so there is the case of single parenting. This definitely poses a serious problem in terms of the girls not having a father figure and so can be easily taken in by men. Also many children grew up without love and affection. When this occurs, the girls are searching for love and affection, so they then become easily attached to men who, naturally, take advantage of them.

Seriously, though, did these mothers know what was going on in the lives of their daughters? Or is it that these mothers encouraged it for financial reward? Interestingly, in many homes, there is little communication when it comes to these things and with the increase in technology, many parents are novices as to what goes on in the lives of their children. The cell phones and the Internet are very popular tools for building relationships in a smart way without the knowledge of parents.

Thus it is important that parents show love and appreciation to their children. It is also important that they communicate effectively with their children and also discipline them when necessary. While it is a fact that it is difficult to raise a child in these modern times, I strongly recommend that prayer be made for and with your children daily. Not forgetting the Bible as the number one book in the home that should read daily and also let Christ become the centre of every home, so that will mean that he must reside in the heart of every member of the home, especially those of the parents.

Kennard King