Babies having babies.
Mama always said that she was a ‘baby that had a baby’ when she got pregnant with me a mere WEEK after her wedding to Papa. She and I still look like sisters (I’m the YOUNGER one, dammit!), and we often joke that we grew up together, because, well, we did. Ok - so SHE grew up, and the jury is still out on me, but close enough. And for the record, Mama was 20 when she had me, and I was still a ‘baby’ when I had The Boy at 22.
So tell me, what in the blue blazes of all things unholy is a TWELVE year old doing sleeping with a FIFTEEN year old in her parent’s house, and fathering a child at THIRTEEN?
I’m sure all of you have heard about Alfie by now, but in case you haven’t - it goes like this. That baby-faced boy who’s voice hasn’t even changed is the father of that baby. And it gets worse, as now two other boys (ages 14 and 16) have stepped up claim possible paternity of the 15 year old Chantelle’s baby Maisie. As bad as that is, it’s not what chaps my considerable behind about it all - no, what does that is this: Chantelle’s mother, apparently, told her to keep quiet about the other boys in order to ensure they got paid for the story.
Well then! That’s the way to exploit the kids! While the whole story is disturbing, it’s the actions of the parents in question that is really awful. What mother in their right mind allows their 15 year old to have multiple sleep overs in her room, let alone with multiple boys? And Alfie’s parents are probably summed up best in this quote by Alphie’s Dad:
“When I spoke to Alfie, he started crying,” said Patten. “He said it was the first time he’d had sex, that he didn’t know what he was doing and the complications that could come. 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 NEXT conversation will include the birds and the bees? Pardon me while I bang my head on my desk. Daddy’s no angel, either, as he’s got multiple kids from many different women, and apparently a 13 year old girl who gave birth a couple years ago as well. And don’t even get me started on his wearing a Halloween mask and putting a sign on his car with info where to call his publicist while he’s at the hospital visiting his new granddaughter! Father of the year material, right up there with Chantelle’s mother who’s money grubbing for the rights to the story.
You know, in my town? Chantelle would be in jail for statutory rape because of the age difference. The child, CHILD, was TWELVE!
TWELVE.
I’m speechless.
(mostly!)
I understand that kids have sex. I’ve preached safe sex to my kids (all still virgins, thank you very much!) since they showed the first hint of hormone hell. I understand that it’s not an easy topic to bring up, and it can be embarrassing for both the parents and the teens.
But answer me this - wouldn’t you rather talk about Condom Man and Lucy Lubricant, than explain to your 12 year old that his in the dark fumbling mean he’s now responsible for another life for the rest of his life?
Yeah. Me too.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:09 am
I agree with you about statutory rape, and the utter ghastliness of the parents. I very much hope that DNA tests will show that the baby is not Alfie’s at all. And that the police become involved. Yuk.
February 21st, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I don’t know if I agree with you that she should be in jail for statutory rape - I don’t think she has the ability to understand that what she’s done was wrong when you look at the parenting she’s had - but I do agree that Alfie should have had the birds and the bees talk already. Kids are having sex earlier these days and education is not going to convince them to have it. Sure it isn’t easy to talk to kids about sex but someone needs to do it. Thus the NEED for sex education in schools.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:51 am
have to chime in a bit - being the mama (of lessa) and all . . . the “statutory rape” laws in our state are interesting to say the least . . . if these children (and I stress CHILDREN) were in our state - a lot of things might happen . . . from OCS stepping in to protect both of the young parents AND the child they have brought into the world.
sex ed in schools? Yeah, maybe good - maybe bad - sex ed is taught in MOST schools (probably excepted are the private religious schools) - doesn’t seem to be bringing down the teen parenting stats one whit.
I’m with lessa on this one - PARENT your kids - YOU do the teaching (I know, shudder!) - or YOU be prepared to be the older parent of not only your child, but your child’s child.
ABSTINENCE is the number ONE cause of ZERO population growth.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:53 am
for emphasis . . . THIS is what lessa said:
“You know, in my town? Chantelle would be in jail for statutory rape because of the age difference. The child, CHILD, was TWELVE!”
would NOT should
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:17 am
[...] with Hearts by barbara waters Sometimes playing with hearts leads to playing with fire . . . Lessa writes about two (essentially) children who played with fire . . . which led to the inevitable result of a third life being brought into the world. Tough to [...]