Having written previously on the topic of teen pregnancy, I will reiterate my opinion here. I do not find “keeping the baby” to be laudatory in the least. It is certainly better than the alternatives, but that is hardly saying much. A baby after all is the final end to sexual union even if every act of sexual union doesn’t offer the possibility of such. While anyone’s ability to make judgements from 10,000 feet is imprecise, what has been made public is the intention to wed of the couple. The couple will certainly face challenges different than those faced by Ms. Jamie Spears, a case I dismissed at the time as not being particularly lesson worthy, but in the end the couple will most likely do just fine. As long as the Palin’s don’t step foot in Texas, they needn’t worry about being raided by thugs and accused of child abuse.
The arguments for delayed marriage are almost entirely materialistic in nature. Certainly there can be maturity issues present. At 14 and 16, emotional maturity would seem to be a higher consideration. At 22 or 24, we are moving into ridiculous territory. At 30 we are well passed it. This is not to claim that materialistic considerations should be abandoned. Such concerns would bring a note of caution about the youth of the father. (On a side note, once sex became a recreational activity, concern moved from angst over daughters becoming impregnated by a man unable to support his household and hence being a burden upon the parents to concern that a man could support the young lady and end up persuading her to leave her home.) Society has chosen to address these concerns by instituting a new set of taboos. Firstly, becoming a household in common in the wake of pregnancy has come to be seen as impetuous. Secondly, the preservation of virginity until marriage has come to be seen as eccentric. Thirdly, first marriage divorce as long as it is done quickly and while one is relatively young is now considered a mistake rather than a defect in character. Fourthly, communal living arrangements are only frowned upon when children are present. Fifthly, society has become very fearful over the corruption of minors. Not all of these are bad things.
As with many things, we seem to have lost sight of the end. Yes, delaying sex until marriage is a good thing. Having a societal structure that isn’t designed to accommodate families until the spouses are in their late twenties and early thirties is asking for disaster. Having a social structure that privileges single parenthood over young parenthood isn’t good, even if it leads to a reduction in the rate of abortion. I’m evaluating societal action, not particulars. In most cases the young couple will enjoy the advantages that being a couple provides, but they will be looked down upon by the surrounding society. The single parent will have her difficulties like all have had, but society will make extraordinary concessions like subsidizing daycare, subsidizing college, etc., not to mention being willing to applaud her heroic effort.
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