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Palin's pregnant daughter...
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Anonymous
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CNN confirmed Palin's 17 year old daughter is 5 months pregnant. Apparently she is a senior in HS and plans on marrying the baby's father. I know that 17 year olds make their own choices, live their own lives, and arent reflections of all of their parents values, etc., but I find it highly ironic that Palin is so pro-life, pro abstinence, pro teaching abstinence and no sex ed in schools. Perhaps she will understand now that she's living it that abstinence is useless to preach to human beings. Human beings are sexual, and should be taught about safe sex, pregnancy, sexual health and parenting. Abstinence is a waste of time and money. Their will always be those who delay, postpone sexual activity, but rarely is that because of an abstinence program. Getting sexually active 17 year olds on the pill is a good idea IMO, as we all know the depressing stats on teen pregnancy and their offspring (higher welfare, school drop outs, child abuse rates,)
I'm a huge Obaama supporter, and was baffled at McCains pick for VP. One more thing I'd add to the list of "how in the world could this woman run our country should something happen to McCain", is this simple mothering question.." how do you raise 5 children, one baby with Downs syndrome, and become a grandmother to a teenage mom while acting as VP or possibly President of the United States of America??" |
Anonymous
| Not flaming, but there are a TON of posts about this in the Politics forum. You may want to consolidate - lots of healthy discussion. |
Anonymous
| Would your opinion change if McCain's VP choice were a man with the same family situation as Sarah Palin? |
Anonymous
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My opinion would be different if it were a man running for VP with the same family issues simply b/c the man isnt going to be less than a year post partum when potentially taking her VP position. Mothering is more physically and hormonally challenging a baby than fathering IMO. I"m a feminist, liberal, pro stay at home dad and all the rest, but I feel the mother takes on more physical, hormonal and emotional investment during the baby stage. I also think her role as grandmother to her now teenage daughter who's pregnant will be even more vital than the fathers role would be. Who better can explain the following to a 17yo
-what to expect at the OB's office -going into labor -managing your post partum body, mind, soul -nursing your baby -re-creating your female identity as a mother, one who has birthed The father will always be one step removed from these experiences. Is he relevant and important-UNDENIABLY SO! In fact, I hope the media reveals who the teen father is and how his family will help raise these baby. As someone who's worked with several families who have special needs children, the Palins have NO idea what they are in for in terms of challenges and joys, that will arise as they parent their son with Down's Syndrome. I cant imagine how Palin will manage to swing all of her parenting/grandparenting demands and that of VP. I'd say the same about Hilary if she had 5 young children and a grandchild on the way. Most unappealing to me is her self righteous religious conservatism. Perhaps she'll tone it down a bid now that she realizes you cant legislate, preach or control other peoples sexual activity. Gay, straight, married, teenager, good God loving people have sex. |
Anonymous
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Here's my take on the matter:
It is an absolute tragedy when a child becomes pregnant at 17. Period. Any attempt to spin this as a positive is just outrageous. And personally, I find it almost equally tragic for Palin to make the CHOICE to thrust her pregnant daughter onto the national stage during this time. What kind of a parent does that?! For those who are calling this a private, family matter, I strongly disagree. Sarah Palin put this issue into play the minute she made the CHOICE to run for the second highest office in the land. And it's not like she's been on the campaign trail solo, asking the media to respect her children's privacy. She dragged her entire family up on stage with her and introduced each child one at a time. Sorry "hockey mom" -- you can't have it both ways. |
Anonymous
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I think it makes the Palin family "normal" and some voters may be able to relate.
Teenage unwed pregnancies are no longer taboo, but more common than ever. Hec, it is so glamorized that Jamie Lynn Spears in the poster child. Not condoning it though. |
Anonymous
I too am an Obama supporter, from way way back actually. But let's not go there. I agree with him. It's not relevant and should be off limits. As he elegantly stated, his own mom was not much older than Bristol Palin, so no stones need be cast. (Don't get me started on the racial issues if Obama had a teenage daughter who was knocked up.) That said, so long as Palin and her party don't breathe a word about family values between now and Nov, I'm happy to slam her on for the Republican energy-environment-be-damned policies. Governor of an oil rich state wants to end dependence on foreign oil while conveniently pillaging her own state for a limited amount of fuel. Sound familiar? But WT_ on the tax and energy policies??? What kind of country do McCain and Palin want to leave their (grand) children? |
Anonymous
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I see it as it is-Palin sucks as a mother. Has she not taught her daughter morals/values-or how to say no? I'm sorry-but I was too involved in school and family to be thinking about having sex at 17. I knew if something like this happened to me, my mother would have been devastated. I had too much respect for her-so I said no.
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Anonymous
| She would be one of the most public figures in the world as VP. Her daughter (grandchild) and each child will inevitably live their life in the public eye. This is a tragic situation and a horrible portrayal of family values IMO. I would care less about this particular teen pregnancy if she wasnt the daughter of the potential VP of America. But seeing as she is, it's a mockery of Palins supposed Christian conservatism. I had 100 reasons why I thought Palin was a horrible VP choice. Now I have 101. Her 17 yo daughter soon to be mother, needs her. |
Anonymous
They don't care what kind of world they leave to the next generation-they only care about the here and now. They're not going to be around-so why should they care? |
Anonymous
| I was on the pill at age 17 b/c I had a mom who knew that was the best "family planning" around. Poor girl. |
Anonymous
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I've been wondering if that's why she enrolled the daughter in homeschooling, to try to hide her...or to cut off negative influences...
But if Obama had a pregnant unwed 17 yr old, it would clip his wings for sure.... |
Anonymous
| I am wondering if it is somewhat normal to have children at a young age in more remote parts like where the Palins live. And if the legal age to get married is younger than 18 in Alaska, would it be a big deal if her daughter were married and pregnant at this age? |
Anonymous
| Dont know the stats but it seems young parenting is more common in rural/country areas. What is Palin's stance on education/policies? She (or someone else) is homeschooling her daughter, does she promote college for her kids? She seems like a perfectly normal US citizen, but a FAR cry from VP material. |
Anonymous
| Do you think middle America is going to like Palin even more for having "family issues"? She hunts, has a pregnant teen daughter, is kinda loud and unpolished, a rough around the edges Hockey Mom? I certainly cant relate to her and wonder if many of the moms on this board can. I'd take Michelle Obama's Ivy pedigree and class any day, but I'm starting to wonder if this news about her family will help or hurt her politically. |