One of my guilty TV pleasures is the Real Housewives of Atlanta. I often visit fan sites where viewers comment on the show as well as the real lives of the Housewives. What's struck me about this season is all the noise about Kandi Burress' fiancé having six children by four different women. I'm not going to comment on whether he's an irresponsible guy or a good match for her because that's not my call. What intrigues me are the folks that are screaming long and loud about the situation. Are these folks the same people who don't want sex education in schools? Are they Right to Life supporters?
Without adequate sex education how is a young man, most likely from a single-parent, female headed home, learn how to put a condom on? It's not rocket science, but it’s not easy for someone just getting to know their body. Additionally, how does a teenage boy find out that birth control methods of urban legend don't work? Furthermore, given the role of religion in African American households especially, how does this same young man approach his mother to tell her he's supporting his girlfriend in getting an abortion?
Roe v. Wade, while the law of the land, has been codified and limited to virtual non-existence in 38 of the 50 states. Beyond that, what teenage girl can handle facing angry protesters when approaching her local clinic for information let alone an abortion? Right to Life advocates not only fight against abortion and birth control--these same zealots usually serve as the morality police--disparaging young men and women for being teenage, single parents.
If young people were taught how to prevent the unwanted consequences of their actions perhaps we'd lessen the incidences of men and women having multiple children with multiple partners. Granted there are some irresponsible mofos in the world but I just don't think you can paint everyone with the same brush.
My mother says life lessons come from the oddest places sometimes.
What I learned from the Real Housewives of ATL... judge not lest ye be judged.
Peace & Blessings
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