What is this world/Iowa coming to

[arbycoffee]

Iowa is a conservative farm state

For mothers day the University of Iowa had a picture display of 12 and 13 old mothers. My way of thinking, this is not to relish in, it when you get the shotgun out and go peter hunting.

There are some males that need to spend time, Hard Time, for this.

What were the parents/parent doing at this time ? At this age they should not be left alone, much less with the older other sex.

I just donÂ’t understand, and I donÂ’t think I want to understand.

Everyone of them has became wards of the state, with dependents of the state. Where are the parents here ? These girls are not old enough to raise themselves much less a baby.

I realize in the 1800s, people got married early, 15 and 16 years old, but they were more grown up and Responsible. The boys/men were working full time farm jobs usually at 12 and up. The girl knew how to take care of a home and children.

I just need to vent, thank you for listening.

[Tony Junior]

I blame a lot of todays troubles on the "political correctness" movement.

You can't do this, you must do that, and above all, don't criticize, don't offend, don't win!

Public schools just aren't what they used to be.

[scooby_doo_m2002]

We need more fathers like my father was. When I was growing up at the age of 13, He put the fear of god in me one day as he was skinnin fish saying " Son, I just want you to know if I ever find out that you have pulled out your tally whacker and put it to use on a young lady before you and the young lady turn 18, It will be the last time you use it." and after he said that, WHACK!!!!! off came the fish's head with one swing of the knife. 17 years later I remember that as if it where yesterday.

[Lddrizzt]

I completely agree, the parents are the first line of defense and should be the ones that police the kids of today. I am the father of a 14 yr old girl and believe me you it scares the h*ll out of me! I am divorced and she lives moslty with her mom, and is left alone most evenings when her mom is working. By alone I mean no adults, I don't mean that her friends (including boyfriend) come over to the house. So here we have a situation that is perfect for the youngsters to get experimental on us. Of course it doesn't help that her dad has a bad habit of showing up at all odd hours of the evening for little stupid things and chases all kids home (I am so mean).
SHE thinks its ok for her and her boyfriend to cuddle up under the blankets in the 3 man pup tent out front the apartment, where noone can see in unles they unzip the door or rmove the rainfly to look in the windows. DAD don't think that is cool, and will not hesitate to sit in his favorite folding chair, inches away from the tent, with a nice cool beverage and engage them in normal conversaion. Then send the young man packing, I think he gets it!

[monaghj]

I am all for the fish approach ... I remember moms words...."Just wait until your father comes home...." they scared the bejeasus out of me....I came home drunk one time about 16 and dad made me eat corn flakes the next morning soaked in beer, just before I had to mow the lawn and paint the deck. I somewhat learned my lesson. Kids however are not scared of their parents anymore. I am not clear on all of the details but one kid in my sons class was moved to a foster home for six months because hid dad spanked him and he reported it to a teacher. The threats of yester-year are no longer P.C.

Knowledge is power, and morality aside conterceptive (particulary condom) information is needed.

In todays society we have either the situation where we have two working parents to support the family or we have single parent familys working two jobs to make ends meet. Inevibility this means our children are going to be left to their own devices more and more often.

With this idle time coupled with prime time shows that depict sex, dress pre-teens provactively (most runway models start at 14-18) you can bet that experiments with sex, booze and drugs will occur.

When I went to highschool you heard of a guy, whos distant cousins friend (of a friend) had tried coke and it was like a grand for a gram. MJ now costs less than a pack of cigarettes, crack is under 5.00 a rock and you have junior high students (in the subburbs - not inner city) chiping herion.

The best defense as a parent is to empower your kids with knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases, particullary aids as well as the threat from dirty needles and razor blades.

[luckydog]

my older son teaches high school math to mentally challenged kids,

he said one day last week there were 3 fights at school.

all were girls fighting each other!!!!!

he said some kids don't care about anything, let alone learning.

i don't envy his job.

but, i'm proud of him for teaching in this day and age.

[monaghj]

I taught adult computer classes for 10 years and that was stressful enough.....and these were people who paid and wanted to be there. I can't imagine teaching kids who don't want to be there.

[arbycoffee]

I see I am not the only one shaking my head

[d mowery]

Everthing changed after we did away with the " board of ed ja ma kation "
Da-- thing worked on me, only had to show me once
Don

[Utopia1dc]

I think the biggest problem is people are "too busy" to raise their children properly. Soccer, Karate, Band, Dance, Ballet, Softball, Baseball, Basketball, yada yada yada. People have their kids involved in so many activities they never spend quality time with them. Most families need the two incomes, so they are forced to have others care for their children. That was the main reason I stay home and watch my daughter while my wife works ( 8th Grade Science Teacher). This way I know that our values are passed on to our children and we don't have to rely on others. I know many can't afford to do this, but we figured we couldn't afford not to. Things sure were a lot better when Moms were home raising us right, but those days are gone for many. Just my two tokens worth.


P.S. The moms staying home isn't by any means a derogatory comment towards women. Staying home caring for my daughter has taught me a lot and I have a new found respect for my mother as well as all stay at home moms (and dads).

[luckydog]

i sent both my boys to a christian school for 13 years.

i always tell everybody that's what i invested my money in!!!!

before my diviorce my ex worked only while they were in school.

crazy me worked 60 to 80 hours a week!!!!

[johntofva]

Let me see.....if I remember right. I was 15 and she was 14. And I am pretty sure that I was a normal kid. Oh, yeah and I went to one of those military christian schools to.

[slotter]

Good job, Utopia! I, too, have brought up my daughter.

I was the diaper changer, etc. and continue to be the stay-at-home dad. I retired young and then we had our daughter unexpectedly after retirement! It's been a great time for me and for my wife who enjoys her job very much. She was an unexpected and God-given special gift to us. BTW, she's 13 now and a great kid!!!