Basic HTML Version
British
Teen
Morals
E
nglish papers have had their
share of sad stories about the
role of teen mothers in the
baby boom in the United States.
"For every 1,000 girls between 15
and 19 in America," wrote New
York correspondent George Gor–
don, "96 of them are pregnant.
That is more than double the fig–
ure for England and Wales (45), in
Canada the rate is 44, in France
43, Sweden 35 and the Nether–
lands 14."
The comparison is based on a
report from the Alan Guttmacher
Institute in the United States.
Many observers in the United
Kingdom fear that the intensity of
the American plight of teen moth–
ers-wed and unwed-will cross
the Atlantic. Those fears are now
being realized. lllegitimate births
are rising to record levels in En–
gland and Wales.
But there is sorne cause for hope.
The British Government has finally
formally recognized the seriousness
of teen moral breakdown- and
contemplated its consequences for
English society. Reports journalist
James Wightman in
The Daily
Telegraph:
"A move to change sex
education in the schools was an–
nounced by the Government last
night with the aim of encouraging
pupils to have due regard for moral
considerations and the value of
family life" (3 June, 1986).
British Prime Minister Margaret
Thatcher wishes to put a brake on
permissive society attitudes gener–
ated in the 1960s. Lord Denning
reflected Mrs. Thatcher 's concern
6
when he said: "The pillars of
marriage have been almost broken
down. Surely we must do in our
schoo1s everything we can to build
up the respect for family life."
Many observers are openly dis–
satisfied with the present condition
of state sex education. Aspects of it
are manifestly decadent. An aid to
educators put out by a prominent
medica] association almost recom–
mends homosexuality as an alterna–
tive life-style. Also sibling incest is
spoken of as a "loving relationship"
in sorne feminist educational aids
employed in certain schools. The
gross details are unprintable.
Ronald Taylor, "a professor of
obstetrics and gynaecology, has hit
out at sex educators for their reluc–
tance to warn against the health
risks involved with early or promis–
cuous sex"
(Doctor,
29 M ay,
1986). He continued, "Sexually
transmitted infections now cause
more long term damage in terms of
chronic ill health, sterility and
tubal pregnancies than ever before,
despite stronger antibiotics."
Lord Halbury, president of the
National Council for Christian
Standards in Society, spoke out in
general support from a moral
standpoint. He said, "Those who
explain sexual techniques to the
young without explaining what be–
ing jilted can mean to them, what
being jilted when pregnant can
mean, what a dose of VD can be,
are morally vicious" (op. cit.).
Nonetheless, the school is not
the chief culprit, nor should it be
the place where children receive a
correct, primary, moral education.
The onus is on the borne. A report
in
The Daily Mail
expressed a
long-forgotten truism. lt said,
"What is often forgotten is the
state in which the parents offer
their child up to be educated--of
how well they have performed their
function as parents during those
crucial formative years" (2 June,
1986).
And although
The Plain Truth
applauds any effort on any govern–
ment's part to impart proper moral
values to children, real progress
can only come when the average
British borne is itself, once again, a
haven of moral fiber.
--
John Ross Schroeder
Even just 30 years ago a preg–
nant teenager brought shame to
her family.
Today these once fundamental
standards are gone. Why?
What has occurred in · modern
society to encourage free sex that
isn't free?
Society essentially arouses in
teenagers a craving to express their
sexuality rather than promote the
need to guide and control sexuality.
Sexually graphic music, movies
and TV--directed to the teen audi–
ence- depict the delusion that
teenage sex is normal, healthy and
sensational.
Teens witness the growing ranks
of their promiscuous andjor preg–
nant, but still unmarried, heroes:
movie, music and sports stars.
They hear authorities, social ex–
perts, educators and even religious
leaders proclaiming this life-style
as an acceptable form of behavior
for moderns.
This puts considerable pressure
upon teens to commit fornication.
The young person who abstains
from sleeping around is looked
upon by certain peers as odd.
One teenage hoy admitted to me
privately, " I have to sleep around
to demonstrate I'm not homosex–
ual." A 15-year-old girl confided,
"1 want to show others 1 can at–
tract boys." And if she becomes
pregnant, friends may give her a
baby shower! It's no wonder teens
have a problem.
The Mlslnformed Teens
Sorne 12 million American
teenagers are sexually active, sorne
beginning at age 13 or younger.
In Britain many young people no
1onger discuss whether they will
sleep together, but whether they
can bring their partners borne for
the night.
These sexually active teens usu–
ally lack understanding about con–
traception and pregnancy. One
teen asked, " 1 had sex when 1 was
14; am 1 still a virgin? " Another
confused teenager said, "In order
to prevent pregnancy you get up
quickly and shower." Social ex–
perts cite this kind of ignorance as
evidence of the need for sex educa–
tion in schools. Educators say in
effect, "Young peop1e
wil/
sleep
(Continued on page 27)
Th•
PLAIN TRUTH