Teen dad profiled in People mag is killed

UPI ^ | 11/21/2005

[ncountylee]

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- An 18-year-old single father whose struggle raising his toddler daughter was featured in People magazine has been killed in Philadelphia.

Terrell Pough was shot in the head on his way home from work Thursday night and later died at Temple University Hospital, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Police said they have no suspects but do have a possible lead. No further details of the slaying were released.

The August issue of People profiled Pough, who worked as the night manger at a local restaurant while attending school full-time and raising his daughter, Diamond, who will be 2 on Nov. 27.

"She's what I work for, what I live for, why I wake up," he told People. "She's everything."

Diamond, who had full-custody of his daughter, had planned to work in construction after graduating next June.

"If something ever happens to me, no one can ever tell her that her dad didn't take care of her," he told People.

[ClancyJ]

Nobody is defending immorality.

But, it is rather tacky to harp on glorifying an immoral lifestyle just because people are saddened by a single father being killed. Now - just what happens to that child?

A tough break, a sad event and it was to the man's credit that he took on his responsibilities and was doing all he could to improve the life of his daughter.

Of course, it would have been better if he had just abandoned her to the courts and played into the stereotype of young no-good males. Then your example would have been free of any worthwhile actions.

[ClancyJ]

We are not talking about the subject matter of a magazine.

As if I have any control over any media.

So why did you come on this thread? Apparently you do not care that the man died. Why in the world are you wasting time talking about a sinner.

[yellowdoghunter]

So why did you come on this thread? Apparently you do not care that the man died.

Oh please....the thread was always about much more than a death, which is ALWAYS tragic. Just like the thread about the boy being shot by police on the earthmover...go check out the posts...it is about much more than good wishes or sympathies for the boy...which is always the case on FR.

So please, don't try that argument.

[mlc9852]

You are missing the point here. I think it was the responsible and legal thing to do in taking care of his daughter. I just don't understand why this makes him a candidate for People, unless Jennifer Aniston was busy that week.

[Okies love Dubya 2]

What is the point of discussing what might have been? The fact is, right or wrong, a beautiful child was born, and her father, who obviously loved her, is now dead.

---

As I was reading a book about pregnancy counseling recently, the phrase 'a sexual act can be a mistake, but a new life is not.'

Let me preface my comments by giving a little background: I am a cradle Catholic, conservative as they come; heck, I even follow the Church's teaching on artificial birth control (and I have the kids to prove it lol).

I used to look down on people like the young man in this story until about 4 years ago when I saw an announcement in our church bulletin about a pro-life group helping those women who had little to no support and often little hope in this world once they got pregnant. A voice inside me told me to volunteer, and it is a decision I have never regretted.

I have seen success stories (young people getting married and giving their kids a two-parent home or finally getting the support of their parents and family) and not so successful stories, but successful or not, I do it because there is always the chance things will turn out right. I do it because I want these young people to see that there is an option out there besides abortion. I want them to see that we in the pro-life movement do give a damn about the baby AND the mother as well (which is where a lot in the anti-abortion movement have failed until recent years). I do it because Christ commands us to love even the least of our brothers and sisters, even if we don't agree with every decision they have made.

I just took over as coordinator for this pro-life group in our parish a month ago (I am still a volunteer and not paid at all for this), and I now am getting a more inside look into the lives of these young women than I did before. Many have no idea of how many of these women (and young men) are trying to do what is right--they just need some help getting there. They know that they have made bad decisions, and the reason they come to us is that they want to do better. While there have been many stand-up dads in these situations, I have seen just as many take off and shirk their responsibility while the woman is left scared to death.

I have two young daughters, and while I will do all in my power to teach them to save themselves for marriage, I am also resolved to helping them do the right thing if they make a mistake. That's part of parenting. I am not going to throw my kid on the street, because I have seen what it does to a young woman when that happens.

The guy obviously did not make the best decision in having sex at such a young age, but unlike a lot of young black men, he seems to have stepped up and tried his damnedest to raise his child instead of running for the hills. He didn't dump his kid on society and say 'here, you raise her.' If he had, everyone would have been criticizing him for that.

I don't expect to change too many hearts with my thoughts, and I am probably a bleeding heart liberal to many here for having typed it...I have been called worse.

[mlc9852]

I saw the story on the news. I don't read People magazine so I didn't really know what they were talking about. I came on this thread to find out what made this guy so special. Apparently it's because he got a girl pregnant and was going to school and working. I'm just at a loss as to why this is newsworthy. Are we supposed to be that shocked when a young black man takes any kind of responsibility for his life? Personally I believe there are millions of young black men out there who are NOT getting girls pregnant but we don't hear about them - why?

[steveo]

I hope it helps you feel better about yourself that you NEVER told anyone that anything was wrong!

MAN! I'M BUSTED! Your correct I have never thought any behavior by anyone was ever wrong. Until now.

This kid was doing the right thing by his daughter, and I think that's good.
Your self righteous spew in my opinion is way out of line. Your opinion is wrong. Your opinion is wrong. Wow! That felt great! I'll be sure to tell people how wrong they are more often in the future!

[yellowdoghunter]

I agree with most of what you said....but the point many were making is that this type of behavior should not be glorified.

Can you imagine what peole would say, some even here at FR, if someone of prominence went into the inner cities and started telling children that sex out-of-wedlock was wrong!!! There would be a national outcry. That is my point...people are called names for speaking out about what is right and what is wrong.

[darbymcgill]

Aren't those of you on this thread who despise self righteousness and judgmental ism being a bit too..... well.... judgmental?

[yellowdoghunter]

Your opinion is wrong. Your opinion is wrong.

Just think of 40 years ago more people said that???? I wonder if our children would be better off?

But then again, there were people like you around to tell them to shut-up, they were hate-mongers, etc....

This kid was doing the right thing by his daughter..

I think we should wait to hear what the police say before we make that decision, don't you?

[Tribune7]

bump for later

[cicero's_son]

Who said we can't judge?

I'm fine with judging. As I said, I judge you to be a first rate a**clown.

Your nagging and finger wagging is an embarrassment to conservatives and Christians everywhere. Which is precisely why you're coming under such attach on this quite conservative and largely Christian board.

[Durus]

It was written about in People magazine because young urban male rarely take responsibility for past mistakes. Instead of taking it at face value you attempt to besmirch the individual. No one, including people magazine, (which is a shock I admit) was patting him on the back for fathering a child, no one was suggesting that it was a great idea to impregnate a girl at the age of 16, and no one suggested that it would be swell to be a single teenage parent.

The fact remains however that it happened. What should he have done in this position? Could any action on his part softened your hard heart against him? He did what any good person should have done...he took responsibility for his actions and worked to make life better for his daughter, whom he clearly loved. Instead of showing any appreciation for Him doing what so many others have failed to do in a similar situation you instead focus on the negative and dismiss the positive. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[70times7]

...I will be damned if I stand on a hill and highlight other's sins when my sins are visible for all to see

Ahh, yes. The classic “judge not lest you be judged” argument.

Let me say first that my heart goes out to this little girl. Her loss is enormous and permanent in ways she has yet to even know. Prayers up, everyone. I also have no problem with the accolades this young man received. So very many make this mistake and walk away, or kill the baby. I respect him for making some good choices after making some very poor ones.

All that being said, it does not change the fact that the price for his poor choices will be paid by his little girl. Parenthood is an enormous responsibility; one that is taken too lightly by so many. That is why sex was never meant to be a recreation for two or more “consenting adults”, but a physical bonding between a husband and wife only.

Now, back to the “judge not” issue. Logically, anyone pouncing upon anyone else for what they have stated in this post under this premise has violated it themselves. What we are discussing here is not so much “judgment”, as it is discernment. It is knowing the difference between right and wrong based on God’s definitions rather than man’s. I seriously doubt that anyone here has the ability to see what is in the heart of anyone else, so it seems foolhardy to me that anyone bash another for stating one portion of the above realities and not the rest.

So can we please just stop now with the bleeding heart vs. missing heart garbage?

[EllaMinnow]

Can you imagine what peole would say, some even here at FR, if someone of prominence went into the inner cities and started telling children that sex out-of-wedlock was wrong!!!

I'd say "Excellent!" And so would most people I know.

[yellowdoghunter]

Aren't those of you on this thread who despise self righteousness and judgmental ism being a bit too..... well.... judgmental?

Excellent point....also about people who despise self righteousness...that is a perfect description of alot of these people. For whatever reason, they can't stand for others to call out bad behavior.

[Uriah_lost]

Thank you Captain Obvious.....

[pamlet]

No Peter is NOT glorified for denying Christ - BUT he did turn himself around and live for Christ later didn't he?

This young man sinned - he also took responsibility for the outcome of that sin.

That is VERY unusual in today's society - so it made "news" (if one could call People "news").

[N3WBI3]

Yes because in the olden day people did not have sex out of wedlock... Great heart for this guy you have.. I pray that in before his death he came ot know Christ and that he and his daughter will be reunited in the glory of his salvation..

[N3WBI3]

Sigh... What is a testomony to regeneration in christ if we dont focus on what we were without him...