Ages 45+ please?

Question

This is a school assignment. Please help! I have to do an opinion poll for my journalism class.
Should an in-depth article using student experiences dealing with birth control and teenage pregnancy and their consequenes, be allowed to be published in my high school newspaper? Why or Why Not? Please explain.

Answer 1

As long as it is being used as a tool to discourage kids from having sex, I would say yes. Especially young girls need to be aware that they will be the one paying the heavier price by having the child. Most teenage fathers don't or can't pull through. This leaves the girl with the biggest responsibility of her life to do on her own.

Answer 2

It's the kind of information that may save someone from having to learn these things the hard way. There is no valid reason not to publish such an article per se. But like any article, it should be well written, objective, non-judgmental. and not mention names or otherwise give away identities.

Of course people who are against any kind of birth control will object to anything making birth control look like a valid option under any circumstances. But that's asking for either a one-side article or no article at all, and those objections can be applied to any type of journalism or effort involving freedom of speech or of the press.

Answer 3

It would all depend on what the attitudes of the writers were. If the article were to be an honest handling of the matter then of course these subjects are of great interest to the readers, however if the article was written with the attempt to cause people to engage in a more profligate lifestyle then it would be completely inapropriate. Remember that a high school newspaper is not the same as a public newspaper, it has a duty of care to its readers to encourage them to higher and better things in life.

Answer 4

M'darling, at 45+ I really don't give a damn what they do in schools these days. I thought it was all drugs and rock 'n roll now anyway.

Are we supposed to be horrified by kids doing birth control and teenage pregnancies or something because it's something this younger generation has only just invented?

Tell 'em my bother was a father at 14 and a grandfather at 32, and I was a father at 18 and a grandfather at 36. And that was back in the days when a shilling got you in to the pictures, paid for a portion of chips and still left you with enough for the bus ride home LOL

Answer 5

Knowledge is power so I say yes to publishing the in depth article . However, it is my understanding that each school district may have different guidelines as to what topics can be presented in an open format or published manner in format that might have offended another groups rights.. Definitely check what your school policy dictates. Or, consider having a forum with teachers, and student speakers, and possibly outside speakers who work in the community--- health care counselors, staff from your local planned parent hood. The forum could be admit only if parental approval slip signed. As, I said knowledge is power, however, there are rules, and codes of behavior that should be honored and respected so no ones religious, or moral beliefs are offended, or trampled upon.

Answer 6

Yes it should. Because in a school full of teenagers and they can easily get pregnant (not saying you're irresponsible or anything) it should be very important to take note of. Also, knowing other peoples problems will tell the other teens to help those people in any possible way they can.

Answer 7

Yes I think It should as many teenagers are already sexually active by the time they are in highschool so I believe the more educated they are on it the least likely for something unplanned to happen or the risk of diseases diminish the mort educated teens are on that subject

Answer 8

Yes, it should be published but without disclosing the real names of those interviewed. It is an important subject for teens.

Answer 9

Uh, dear, those of us 45 and older are so far beyond the experiences you are speaking about that what you NEED to do, is ask students! In other words, interview your contemporaries.

Answer 10

well, the adolesent is living in the age of sexual desire, it is there time, so i spose it is a good idea. They will certainly think so, but more importantly l believe the parents should take more care of there wera bouts of there kids through this time in there life.