Girl, 11, Gives Birth to Baby Boy

[GabiandVi 34]

You didn't say you got free lunches and WIC. Or food stamps. Otherwise I highly doubt you can feed 3 people for that amount.

You can. It's VERY difficult, and there can be NO luxuries, no going through the drive through when you are too tired to cook, no throwing out leftovers, no junk food of any kind, but it is possible. But that does not count the TP, shampoo, freezer bags etc.

I'm referring to the amount of $300, not $265. And no WIC or free lunches included. But I have to eat those disgusting Banquet frozen lunches at school because they only cost $1 a meal. The spaghetti isn't bad.

Edited February 17, 2010 by GabiandVi

[Ali G. 37]

IF you want to make a point... do it, don't cloud the post with rambling.

-Do you believe social services are a hammock or safety net?

- Is it possible to spend $526 per month and still be hungry and not have enough or eat healthy?

- The last person obsessed with Obama just killed several people and is sitting in Jail, should I worry about you.... you seem to keep bringing Obama up in unrelated topics for some reason, unless you suspect others blame him, for a child getting knocked up?

I was simplifying the reality that social programs do work, when administered appropriately and are sufficient to meet the recipient's basic needs. Naturally, that also means holding the recipients accountable, so that people don't exploit them and get comfortable on the dole; hence, the requirement to apply for 14 jobs every two weeks, which must be logged and can be verified, in Aus. Centrelink offices in Australia are state of the art and provide people with the facilities and services they need to get onto their feet. They're not old and dingy 70's/80's government buildings, with names like the Department of bla bla bla.

Social services should be there in order to get people back on their feet. Every other first world country offers such services, with obvious success. The welfare is adequate and sufficient to get people on their feet. The contrary to this is the zero government assistance approach, which many like you and Matt endorse. Unfortunately this approach is only practiced in third world countries, with its level of success being obvious.

Time to stop listening to people like Sean, Rush, Beck and Palin, who like to state we and their approach is the best, as their comments are a stance derived from their opinion. Time to travel overseas and actually sample another system to determine which system is actually the better of two; I am sure you would enjoy the pay rise over there.. Until many with your opinion do that, you will never know what works best or what does not. Your stance on things like social services and healthcare is the equivalent of stating you make the best chili in the world, but never actually having tasted any chili made by somebody else.

In summary, what you perceive as rambling is actually putting into numbers which approach is working better; which approach actually delivers more $$$$ to people. Based on what I have seen throughout America, trust me; the average Joe needs all of the money they can get.

Edited February 17, 2010 by Booyah

[Ali G. 37]

Furthermore, are one downsizing away from using these same service they mock.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

thought this was interesting...

http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resourc...R_1940-2006.pdf

according to this teen birth rates were the highest in the 1950's (age 15 to 19)

Interesting.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The people who are saying that want to believe it, but it is not true. Most children who are getting pregnant know more about how to get pregnant than many adults. They also have access to birth control, usually for free. They know how to get it without their parents knowing about it, but in most cases, their parents would promote the use of it anyway. These kids either want to get pregnant, or want to take the chance. I deal with these kids every day. Eleven is very young, but except for the age, there is nothing shocking here. This is par for the course among young girls around here, and if you look at statistics, areas such as mine and demographics such as what I'm referring to are where the increase in teen pregnancies is occuring. These kids NEVER considered abstinence. NEVER.

They talk openly about sex. They talk about getting pregnant. They talk about trying until they finally do get pregnant, and if they miscarry, they try again. The boys brag about how many children they have fathered. The girls with some small hope for a future talk about not having children until they are older. This is real life I'm talking about. This is what I observe EVERY day at school.

Over generalizations and stereotypes.

[Ali G. 37]

Over generalizations and stereotypes.

She's works in the education system, hence the first hand experience.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

She's works in the education system, hence the first hand experience.

As a former student, I have first hand experience that not all teachers are right.

[Ali G. 37]

As a former student, I have first hand experience that not all teachers are right.

So people who work in the field can be wrong? However, opinions from the likes of Marilyn (lol) and co are spot on.

11 year old 5th/6th graders having children must have been common in your school.

Edited February 17, 2010 by Booyah

[Ali G. 37]

It's mind-boggling to me that anyone would not be disgusted by an 11 year old conceiving a child, furthermore, justifying it with a 'well it happen in the past'. Lets not even mention the negative impact it will have on the life and future prospects of both of these children.

Edited February 17, 2010 by Booyah

[one...two...tree 2,762]

So people who work in the field can be wrong? However, opinions from the likes of Marilyn (lol) and co are spot on.

11 year old 5th/6th graders having children must have been common in your school.

Marilyn posted statistical facts, not opinion. Generalizations and stereotypes are not factually based and had you written any paper on this subject using such, you would have negative marks. Even teachers know that.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It's mind-boggling to me that anyone would not be disgusted by an 11 year old conceiving a child, furthermore, justifying it with a 'well it happen in the past'. Lets not even mention the negative impact it will have on the life and future prospects of both of these children.

It is terrible and wrong...that's a given. What other conclusions do want to make from this tragedy?

[Marilyn. 340]

So people who work in the field can be wrong? However, opinions from the likes of Marilyn (lol) and co are spot on.

11 year old 5th/6th graders having children must have been common in your school.

not sure if i should be offended by this ..lol and by the way I just posted some links I found.. i never really gave my opinion...

It's mind-boggling to me that anyone would not be disgusted by an 11 year old conceiving a child, furthermore, justifying it with a 'well it happen in the past'. Lets not even mention the negative impact it will have on the life and future prospects of both of these children.

and I am not trying to excuse the behavior.. I am just trying to point out that things were not that much better in the past..

here is my opinion.. it really is horrible that a 11 year old had a child.... but what do you want her parents to do now? do you want them to shun her or something??

[one...two...tree 2,762]

not sure if i should be offended by this ..lol and by the way I just posted some links I found.. i never really gave my opinion...

Booyah often confuses fact with opinion and vice versa.

[Niels Bohr 72]

There are teachers that gave false advice as to tell students to major in subject that they love, etc...way back in high school. However, there is alot more to that.

Getting inundated with student loans in field that pays very little. You can get a Bachelors of Art in Journalism and then get a job at a local radio station making a measly 25k. After spending 20k/semester in college and making 25k, you'll be limited in terms of financial freedom to get that house, or to get that car, or even travel. The ROI is very small.

Then, afterwards, these graduates would apply for WIC, and food stamps because their income isn't as great.

So, teachers should advise students to pursue those interests that they love on a secondary basis, unless, those interests will give them lots of money.

[Ali G. 37]

Marilyn posted statistical facts, not opinion. Generalizations and stereotypes are not factually based and had you written any paper on this subject using such, you would have negative marks. Even teachers know that.

Marylin's stats are about as useful in this thread as stats on global warming.

Who is generalizing or stereotyping here? Since day one of chatting with you, it's clear that you have an issue with people voicing an opinion based on their own observation. In your mind, this must be invalid. I don't know what they teach in that part of the country but you don't seem to grasp science or engineering. A hell of a lot of findings and discoveries can be traced to mere hunches or empirical observations.

It is terrible and wrong...that's a given. What other conclusions do want to make from this tragedy?

Who is trying to make a conclusion here? Like many, I want answers, and whoever is found to be negligent to be punished accordingly.

Edited February 17, 2010 by Booyah