In a message dated 11/2/00 6:21:22 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
<< We now have open courtrooms in juvenile cases, yet this treatment of kids
in
chaotic settings gets little media coverage. There is no constituency for
reform of a system that desperately needs it. No one talking about
intervening in families that are dangerous to kids >>
I have not read the Strib report and so my response may seem a bit awkward. I
am not even certain which mother-child is referred to. However, the question
raises quite a stir. The gist of the post is seemingly indicating a reunion
of the "family" here, a fact that begs another question: what would be more
appropriate?
As I understand it, a child gave birth to a child and, in panic, fear,
confusion, or God only knows what ever state of mind, attempts to hide the
fact. I will quickly add that I am not trying to trivialize the matter; it
is a grave circumstance to me, the father of six, with 19 grandchildren, and
myself being sibling to a family of 34 (22 boys and 12 girls), childbirth is
serious and sacred. So, let us skull out the options.
A. The court could punish the mother with confinement for the "crime"
and place the baby in another setting. The net effect being 2 persons in care
of the state with uncertain outcomes for each.
B. The court could remove the mother from her parents, recognizing the
trauma, provide the mother with counseling and training for childcare,
eventually allowing the 2 a reunion to grow up together, with the same
outcome-2persons in care of the state with uncertain outcomes.
C. The court could provide couseling for the entire family
(grandparents, parent, and child), allowing for reality to settle in and
providing a nurturing environ for both children with minimal financial
assistance and a chance at a healthy, normal life.
Of the options mentioned, which has the most desirous outcome? Where is King
Solomons wisdom when you really need it? More importantly, what set of facts
do we tackle first in presenting resolution to problems of this magnitude?
Constituency of this nature is encumbent on society generally (is there a
village capable of raising a child????) however, hard questions must be
answered first. What leads to teen sexuality in the first place? We know
that to be the source of STD, un-wanted pregnancies, shattered lives, and
abandonment, but how do we dis-mantle the machinery that gives rise to it in
the first place?? These are hard questions, and cannot be answered without
involving all factions (families, communities, schools and other
institutions, adolescents). Likewise, we must bring to the table marketing,
entertainment, social values, morality, and employment, even before we can
begin to address effectively this phenomenon. It can be done but, in today's
world, it requires strong, committed leadership and across the board
discussion with intent and actions.
Robert Anderson
Minneapolis
IP Candidate, House 61B
