Larry, I can tell we are miles apart philosophically on most issues. And I don't feel like arguing about stuff like this, but I will at least respond to the points you made.
1. Really disadvantaged children, and children in homes where there is abuse, actually do often get pregnant because it is a way to establish their independence. These are children who are probably not going on to college, feel thay have little left to lose, and often express needing someone to love, since they themselves were often not loved enough as children. These children can be helped to make better decisions by the government NOT awarding money and independence to them because they are pregnant.
2. Many things in our society have changed in the last 35 years. You cannot really say that more children are getting pregnant because they have been exposed to sex education. It is much more complicated than that; the society is pretty much very different than it was then.
3. The statistics I cited where in Europe teenagers have just as much sex as here but get pregnant at a much lower rate, are actual government statistics. Japan is a very controlled country, with children who are very pressured, and a very high juvenile suicide rate as well.The concepts of shame and humiliation are pretty prevalent, and yet I don't think that just because they may keep the pregnancy rate low, that they are good, healthy ideals in a society. The fact that their pregnancy rates may be lower does not really have much to do with this discussion, and is not the only statistic you would use to evaluate whether it is a healthy place for children to grow up.
4. I want my child to have sex education at school, and I also give her books to read at home, and have discussions with her about it. If you want your children not to have sex education, I believe it is your right to have them excused from it in public schools. I don't have any problem with this. I would have a problem if your feelings about sex education make it difficult or impossible for my child to have it at school.
5. Throughout history, girls have typically had fathers, and had religious instruction as well. But again, statistically throughout history a huge number of brides have been pregnant. The difference now is not in the number of teenagers experimenting with sex, but that now there is less social pressure for them to marry.
6. I think it is very important that children be well-educated and literate. However, I think you can accomplish that AND learn about sex.
7. You may be able to effectively prevent your children from getting pregnant as teenagers. Your home may be very healthy and stable. (On the other hand, your children may rebel and get pregnant fairly deliberately. It is difficult to predict the future.) But there are millions of children who do not come from such wonderful homes, who unfortunately may not come from homes with fathers present, etc. Would you prefer that those children remain ignorant so that your moral agenda is fulfilled, or that people--teachers, youth leaders, the medical establishment--make some honest attempt to educate them so that they can make the best possible decisions for themselves?
8. Could you cite your statistics that show that the rise in teenage pregnancy is CAUSED by sex education? Sex education actually allows children to make better, informed choices, not more promiscuous or ignorant ones.
I think that's enough for tonight!!! Are you still drinking those microbrews, Michael?? Whoa!!! Good luck!!!
Christine
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