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“I will talk to him again and it will be the birds and the bees talk. Some may say it’s too late but he needs to understand so there is not another baby.”

the story makes me despair for Britain, but im intrigued as to who the others who may think its perhaps not too late to have that chat?

Oh dear, when children have children. I suspect he will be back to the play station in about 4 days when he realises life has truly changed and he fully understands that being a caring father is something he doesn't understand. So, all you mothers and fathers out there with children of 11 and up... have that talk. very seriously... it's truly a mandatory subject.

It is very scary to hear how young kids are having s*x these days. truly scary.. At that age, I didn't want anything more than a new outfit and sweets.... how things change....

And so unfair!!

I can't even get any

doesnt this make him a paedophile

and you like a cockatoo? how sad

Nope he's 13.

What's done is done. But these kids (all three of them) need this publicity frenzy like a hole in the head. What kind of parents expose their kids to a media circus?

Probably one of their 'friends' went to The Scum or Screws of the World and they had the choice of talk to the journos or have all sorts printed about them with no right to reply, as is the norm in these cases...

When I saw this article, I felt like crying. What the boy says is really sad - and they look sad. It's all wrong.
Chantelle already looks like one of those dragged-down mothers and she is only 15!
God help them!!

What can I say... ''AMAZING'' word is not good enough... I guess the world has changed a lot since I was born and have lived my life.... I ask myself a question, are we back again in Mediaeval times when folks used to get married and conceive their offsrpings about same age as above?... The difference is that life span expectancy was much shorter 30-40 about half as it is nowadays

This is fairly local to me and has made all the local news. Police have announced that it is not in the public interest to prosecute. I have to say that I agree with that. It is a sad situation, but what is done, is done. The most important thing is education and support to prevent these situations in future.

Teenage pregnancy is a major issue in the area. Hastings has a figure of over 6% of under 18s becoming pregnant.

It is not just about sex education. Many other factors influence this. Family, poverty, education, social surroundings etc.

I have three children, Kitty is 3, Monkey is 8 and the Teenager, is now 21, (all names I use on the Internet when referring to them).

One of the children in Monkey's class at school's mother is the same age almost to the DAY as his older brother, that is she was 21 in January of this year.

Her family is made up of child 1-8 years old, child 2-3 years old, child 3- <6 months old.... and I saw her a few days ago adn she told me how happy they are as she's pregnant again!

21 years old with 4 children.

When did it all get so confused?

Marianne

Are teenager pregnancies getting worse or just becoming more public?

When I was a teenager (early 80s me very old ) in Ireland a sad story of a young teenager who hid her pregnancy from everyone including her parents - she tried to give birth in a Church yard at night and both her and baby died. Lots of teenage pregnancies at that time were hushed up and babies were given away for adoption.. remember my Mother having a hushed conversation with a neighbour in our kitchen regarding a local 12 year old who was pregnant (same age as I was at the time)..

So, I wonder are teenage pregnancies on the increase or are they the same as the hidden ones of the past?!

It is both. The numbers have been increasing for years. The stigma of teenage pregnancy, or single parents has generally gone now. As a result the increase may seem far greater.

It's a very difficult thing to know what to do with. We obviously can't let the mothers and babies down by withdrawing all support, but at the same time, we're showing there is no consequence other than that they now have a child to look after. By the time they realise that's a good chunk of life's passed them by, the next lot are in that situation.
you can't prosecute the fathers as the mother will most likely claim they don't know who it was to avoid getting their boyfriend into trouble and you can't do the same to the mothers as the child needs them and they've got enough on their plate already. What can a society do to show teenagers that is not right to be in this situation? In every one of these situations, they have the support of their families and social services, but you cannot deny them this, either or there's even more chance of things going further wrong.

__________________
New book out now: European Bird Names: A Translation Guide.
www.tonykeenebirds,co,uk - photos, paintings and drawings of Swiss, Australian, NZ and British birds

My bold.

Well i have worked in a few 'residential homes' for teenage mothers over the years and they seem to work, they're mainly for mothers who've no where else to go and we as the adults help them to do every thing, care for the baby, teach them to cook, how to budget and all about safe sex!

So why not make the mother and child a ward of the state and place them away from their families who are all to keen to allow them to fall into the same trap of poverty, unemployment and state benefits that they're in.

At least they'll learn that there is a future and a better way of life out there, they'll receive the support to allow them to continue in education and have moral role models.

Just my two pence worth.

Marianne

I understand your logic in this suggesestion. It is true that some of the problem is 'learnt behaviour' from family and friends. Sometimes, a child can be the only way that a teenager feels that they can get attention and be recognised. This is not to say that getting pregnant is a calculated action, more that it is accepted once it is a reality.

I would be concerned that any positive benefits of moving the mother and child away from their home environment could cause more resentment and be perceived as a punishment. This could be even worse if the father loses any rights.

__________________
"I'll say I can't tell you when, But if my spirit is strong, I know it can't be long, No questions I'm not alone, Somehow I'll find my way home" Rod

Yes! Bring back the workhouse!

That'll teach 'em!

Here! Here! You auld scutter!

Should we leave them in the poverty the majority of their families exist in? Hmmm tough choice, but after seeing it, i think I'd opt for the comforts of a life these 'grime'

DP, ggod point re fathers parental rights, can a minor legally have parental rights over another minor? Can a minor even be listed on a birth certificate? and who is the childs legal guardian if the mother is also a minor?

Mine field isn't it!

Marianne