I'm not sure what it means to say "abstinence only" doesn't work. If it means that a girl could still get pregnant after hearing that this is the safest way, of course she can. I think you owe your kids the truth-the facts-which include the fact that no protection will guarantee 100% against pregnancy or STD's, and that the best way to protect themselves is to abstain. But it goes without saying that human nature being what it is, teenagers will sometimes choose other behaviors than the ones that are taught at home. This is as old as time, and says nothing about the quality of a family or parenting. You do your best to teach kids about your values, what you believe is right, and equip them the best you can to make good choices. But ultimately, they are their own person, with free will, and you can never control another human being. Influence strongly maybe, but never totally control.

Just jumping in as I listen to Sarah Palin's poignant and awesome acceptance speech. :) Love the way the Palin family values life and family.

I find it interesting to note, since when do the liberals care about conservative values and who is having premarital sex. Isn't that what the conservatives get made fun of as well. So why do they care about a Palin pregnancy? Just wonderin.'

And from the same group, I have not heard any kudos to the family for supporting their daughter in delivering the baby.

Just wonderin.'

Warmly,

Carolina Mama

I have four children, the first just started high school this year. I took him and his middle school age brother on a field trip to the health department and showed them where the STD clinic is, where the pharmacy that gives out free condoms is, and where the Women's health clinic is if they somehow end up getting a girl pregnant. We look over pamphlets and discuss sex openly because I do not want my sons to place anyone's daughter (or anyone's son to place my only daughter) in an unplanned pregnancy situation that they are not ready for. I will also take this tour with my two youngest when they are of age to go. I feel that parents need to educate children and I tell my kids if they are embarrassed to discuss sex with me, then they are probably too young to have sex also. I got pregnant with my first child at eighteen and don't want my kids to deal with the struggles to just survive that teenage parents sometimes face. I would rather they know too much than not enough about sex.

Here's my reaction from when I heard the news. http://www.dirtandnoise.com/2008/08/palin-in-comparison-to-biden.html

I get more sickened and frightened by the day.

So, Mmoaks55, do you seriously think that by showing your high schooler where the Women's "health" clinic (which is a misnomer) that he is going to avoid impregnating someone else's daughter b/c you've shown him the easy way out? How many of your grandchildren are going to end up at that clinic, I wonder?

Here's a thought.....why don't we, as parents, show our children how much work a baby is, (maybe have them care for a loaner for a few days) and show them every single statistic on STD's and give them the tools to wait until marriage. Let's not show them the way to the abortion clinic, let's teach them that they are worth more than a one night stand. Teach them self control! Kids can learn that, believe it or not, but we have to talk to them about it and teach them to practice it!

Let's put a fence at the top of the cliff, not an ambulance at the bottom!

Just a thought.