Abstinence is unrealistic, says the daughter of Sarah Palin

THE daughter of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has spoken out against teenage pregnancy, but says her famous mother's advocacy of abstinence is unrealistic.

Unmarried Bristol Palin's pregnancy became a US presidential election campaign talking point last year after her mother was announced as John McCain's running mate.

Speaking about the birth of Tripp to Fox News, Bristol Palin said she now hoped to become an advocate against teen pregnancy.

"I hope people learn from my story - It's so much easier if you're married, have a house and career. It's not a situation you want to strive for."

"I'd love to be an advocate to prevent teen pregnancy. Kids should just wait. It's not glamorous at all," she added.

Some of these posts act like it’s the duty of unwed mothers to provide babies for those who can’t have their own. How sick is that?

How sick is it for unwed mothers to expect the taxpayers to support their bastards ? Especially serial bastards.

Forced adoption would of course be wrong, as would forced sterilization.

But there has to be some middle ground here. If you cannot support your children you do not deserve to have them. Parenthood is about you doing things for your children, not your children being your emotional props or merit badges.

If you listen to Greta’s interview, Sarah herself says abstinence is naive.

Everybody is bashing Bristol but nobody is commenting on Sarah’s views.

I think abstinence can still be taught, but in this day and age, it's getting harder and harder. Sarah herself was probably pregnant with her oldest before she was married and she understands that, just as her daughter now does. The Christian in me shudders at this, but the realist in me accepts that it's just the way things are in this day and age.

Making a general comment (not specific towards Sarah), but the problem today is, way too many parents don't pay attention to their kids. They let the TV or the computer babysit them and then wonder how their kid ended up in whatever situation they ended up in. This extends to other areas, including public education. My wife has taught and tutored on and off over the past 30 years, and she has seen a very distinct change over that time, from people who were concerned about their kids education, friends, etc., to people who communicate more with their kids by text messages than in person.

I agree to much of what you’ve said.

I still think it all comes down to responsibility and accountability. We don’t seem to teach that much anymore.

Two parent families are best in most cases. Two parents who love each other, respect each other, are best. Two people who take their committment seriously, best.

Even the best parents, still have kids who screw up. As a parent, I would never shun my kid for a mistake, or the mistake of having pre marital sex, getting pregnant. It’s been happening forever. Families have dealt with it. My family has dealt with it by encouraging marriage but doesn’t always happen. The baby is always embraced. Families take care of their own. Some cultures, or some segments of our society have lost that.

Absinence isn’t unrealistic in all cases but it is in some. As it’s been since forever. Before, we used to deal with it within the family. Some people sent their kids away, gave up the baby for adoption, etc., pretended like it never happened. Or some got married right away. I don’t know what the answer is other than families should take care of their own. It’s not the government’s job to support anyone.

Rather than just teaching abstinence, we should be teaching everything and especially personal responsibility and accountablity. We’re focusing on the lowest segment of our society and trying to teach them common sense. IMO. Once the government pays (rewards) bad choices, there’s gonna be people (and in some cases a whole race of people) who find it easier to rely on the government/taxpayers to pay their way. We can’t, or shouldn’t, broad brush those who have always taken care of their own business without government/taxpayers.

We can’t hold parents responsible for their children/teens behavior in the broad brush way.

That’s a difficult situation for sure. She may use the baby to manipulate the parents (grandparents). I’ve seen it done.

It is heartbreaking.

I can see this scenario with that niece I mentioned. It wouldn’t surprise me.

Again if there wasn’t welfare/government help, there may not be this problem. Other problems for sure, but not to the extent there appears to be now.

I don’t know what the answer is. I figure I have no control over anything or anyone but my own kids and then only to the extent that I teach them right.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.