My mom taught me to "Never say never," which meant that you should never say, "That won't happen to me" because we never know what will or will not happen to us. I'm so glad that my mom gave me this advice, advice I have followed because as a community member, teacher, mom, extended family member, and partner, life has thrown me some curve balls--events I didn't expect, wish for, or condone.
I'm writing about this today as the media begins to rank on Congresswoman Lauren Boebert because it appears that her 17-year-old-son is about to have a baby with a 15-year-old teenager. Of course, many are disgusted with Boebert's self-serving, dehumanizing leadership in Congress--it appears that Boebert works for herself and errant lobbyist groups, corporations, and organizations that pay her and her husband well. Also, parents and teachers like me, can't believe that she uses her children to kowtow to the gun lobby by putting pictures of her sons on social media with guns in their hands. This is discouraging as it promotes gun use with youth when we know, in general and in most places, young children and guns are not a good match. That said, I'm not opposed to those who have a long history of gun use in rural locations and plenty of safeguards--but that's not the case for most of America's children. Instead more of America's children connect guns to violence and the frightening gun safety drills they have to do at school.
Yet, "Never say never." Any of us can have children that face challenges, and we don't want anyone pointing a finger at us. Instead we want people to provide us with support and help in tough times like these. We should all want young people the country over to thrive in positive, life affirming ways.
Is it ideal for a young woman to have a baby at 15? From what I've read and observed, I'd say it's not ideal for the young woman or the child, yet it happens and with good care and support the mom, dad, and child can do well. Is it ideal for young men or women to have unprotected sex as teens? Most of us would agree that's not ideal as teenagers are young to handle the responsibilities of parenthood. As far as teens and sex, there's varying opinions on that across the country and cultures. I'm fine with the varying opinions, however, I do believe every child has to have a good education related to sex, health, and reproduction at a young age so they know what they are dealing with and they know the responsibility involved when it comes to sex, health, and pregnancy.
No matter how skilled, committed, or caring we are or aren't, our children will take us down roads we never thought we'd travel, and as we journey with our children, we need to bring along as much love and care as we can muster. As for those observing the parenting journeys of others, we need to bring compassion, care, empathy, and love because we want children to thrive with as much love, care, capacity, confidence, and positive contribution as possible.