20 Apr 2005 - Teenage Pregnancy
The Greenwich Multi-Faith Forum has being discussing the issue of teenage pregnancy and have issued following statement.
"The Greenwich Multi-Faith Forum believes that we are spiritual beings on a spiritual journey.
A teenage mother may not be in the best position to assist their child in this or to pass on this message.
Normally the ideal would be for a child to have a father and mother.
However, our Forum is aware that teenagers from all our Faith Groups are having children out of wedlock.
We wish to help both teenagers and their communities with this problem.
Some communities either from religious or cultural grounds tend to hide this issue under the carpet.
Many are fearful of the stigma attached to a member of the family who 'brings shame' on the family.
When a girl becomes pregnant they may be sent away or encouraged to have an abortion.
We asked the question as to where teenagers might turn to find help.
Many are frightened to speak to their parents. Most would not wish to speak to religious leaders.
The Forum is aware that some faith groups do have youth workers to whom young people can turn. This can be so helpful but these leaders in turn need to be supported by their respective religious or cultural communities.
We recommend:
1. That young people be brought together to discuss the issues, though we are aware that many would not turn up to such a discussion unless they felt safe to do so and knew it had the backing of the elders or officials.
2. Educated in moral behaviour, educated in their responsibilities and educated in the joy that comes from the right use of the gift of sexuality.
3. In all this we are not forgetting that boys need to be educated as well.
4. We believe that teenagers of both sexes need help from their communities
5. They need extra support when they have done something of which the community disapproves.
We also believe that adults, whether parents or not, need support so that they can feel empowered enough t better communicate with young people about expected or accepted moral behaviour and also about protecting themselves from sexually transmitted diseases, unexpected or unwanted pregnancies.
We would be grateful if you could offer examples of good practice you have developed in your community.
We would be grateful if you could publicise this Statement within your community, please".
A teenage mother may not be in the best position to assist their child in this or to pass on this message.
Normally the ideal would be for a child to have a father and mother.
However, our Forum is aware that teenagers from all our Faith Groups are having children out of wedlock.
We wish to help both teenagers and their communities with this problem.
Some communities either from religious or cultural grounds tend to hide this issue under the carpet.
Many are fearful of the stigma attached to a member of the family who 'brings shame' on the family.
When a girl becomes pregnant they may be sent away or encouraged to have an abortion.
We asked the question as to where teenagers might turn to find help.
Many are frightened to speak to their parents. Most would not wish to speak to religious leaders.
The Forum is aware that some faith groups do have youth workers to whom young people can turn. This can be so helpful but these leaders in turn need to be supported by their respective religious or cultural communities.
We recommend:
1. That young people be brought together to discuss the issues, though we are aware that many would not turn up to such a discussion unless they felt safe to do so and knew it had the backing of the elders or officials.
2. Educated in moral behaviour, educated in their responsibilities and educated in the joy that comes from the right use of the gift of sexuality.
3. In all this we are not forgetting that boys need to be educated as well.
4. We believe that teenagers of both sexes need help from their communities
5. They need extra support when they have done something of which the community disapproves.
We also believe that adults, whether parents or not, need support so that they can feel empowered enough t better communicate with young people about expected or accepted moral behaviour and also about protecting themselves from sexually transmitted diseases, unexpected or unwanted pregnancies.
We would be grateful if you could offer examples of good practice you have developed in your community.
We would be grateful if you could publicise this Statement within your community, please".