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Editorial
Taking the world in your hands : Take Responsibility!
Why can we not take responsibility for our own actions anymore? I have asked myself that question more than once recently in the face of various news stories, particularly in politics, where no-one seems willing to stand up and be accountable for anything. No-one is willing to accept the consequences of what occurs. I was willing to let this pass however, with my cynical opinion of: it’s politics, what else can you possibly expect? But I thought that this blame culture had finally gone too far when, watching the lunch time news, I learnt about a girl who had fallen pregnant as a teenager and was fronting a campaign to encourage parents to talk to their children about sex and contraception. Her argument was that this is the only way to stop teenage pregnancy and that a lack of communication between parents and their teenagers is the only way to combat pregnancy in the under-20’s.
I could not believe what I was hearing; hoping it was some sort of spoof article, but the reporter was deadly serious. And so was the girl. I cannot believe that the girl has the audacity to blame her parents for her becoming pregnant. Now, I am definitely not arguing that parents should not be open with their children, I believe that is key to a healthy relationship and makes a child feel secure, loved for they have someone they can always turn to. However, whilst I have always felt I could tell my parents anything I needed to, I can never remember having “the talk” and, just to clarify, I am not a parent now.
If this girl felt she did not get the information from her parents then there was always the possibility of being informed by her school. No one leaves primary school without a basic knowledge of contraception now and there are free health clinics if you still feel you need advice. She seemed to me to be a product of this blame culture we have now. And I think it needs to stop. It is not about what you have done but how you move on and deal with the consequences. So she got pregnant at 18. It is not ideal, but it is not the end of the world. There is support out there for her so she could finish her education, get a good job and build a life for her and her child. It is the actions you take after the mistake that determine the ultimate outcome. This is the same for everything. Blaming another person does not make the problem better, it actually solves nothing. If we just deal with things, whether in politics, health, education, finance and life, then maybe, our country would run a bit better.
I agree with Vickie. I doubt that this girl was 'blaming' her parents or accusing them of anything; merely pointing out something which is clearly lacking in many young peoples' lives. It is a parents responsibility to promote safe sex, just as it is their responsibility to teach other basic life skills.
My sex education was also very poor--I left year six knowing roughly the rudiments of intercourse, and then in year eight we were given free sanitary towels and the opportunity to fit a condom onto a bright blue plastic penis.
My mother has been the greatest influence when it comes to contaception and the emotional side of sex, rather than leave it up to the PE teacher who hardly knew me, and I believe that this is the way it should be.
By Anonymous on 6.6.2010
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I really disagree with this article - of course parents have a responsibility to educate their children about their bodies, sex and its consequences. I'd say it was a duty in fact, parents owe it to their kids to provide them with the knowledge they need in order for them to make informed decisions about their own lives.
Your statement, "No one leaves primary school without a basic knowledge of contraception now..." is completely unfounded. I know for a fact that a scarily high proportion of children leave full-time education, so that's secondary school not primary school, having had next to no sex education whatsoever. From personal experience, we had 1 hour in year 10 focusing solely on how to put on a condom. For most of us in that room, it was already too late.
Schools have a responsibility too, but if the safe-sex message isn't reinforced at home, then children have no chance for a healthy and happy sexual life.
By Vickie on 5.4.2010
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