Pact or no pact?  The world media this week has been obsessed with a high school in Gloucester, Massachusetts.  The high school has seen 17 girls get pregnant this year (more than 4 times the normal average).  The Principal claims that these girls formed a pact to get pregnant.  The media has had a field day as they explore all of the different angles – everything from criticizing the school for not handing out birth control to suggesting that the school needs to do a better job of sex education.  I say: what happened to the abstinence education?

To me, this story hits on a more alarming trend:  the acceptance of having babies out of wedlock.   God intended child birth to be a part of marriage between a man and a woman.  We look to our culture and the fact that having a baby as a single mother is now “the cool thing” to do.  Movies, TV, Hollywood, musicians, and sports stars are all in on the action.  Gossip magazines show which celebrity/single mom looks the cutest and who’s having the best baby shower.  The glamour and fun side of pregnancy should not be the primary message to young hormone engaged teenagers.

Unfortunately high-school students are getting the wrong message about pregnancy.  My mom had me when she was 17.  She can attest to the difficulties of having a child early on in life – the sacrifices, the challenges, and the struggles of being a young mom.  It is not all fun and games.  Don’t get me wrong – having a baby as a teenager is a far better alternative than abortion, but shouldn’t teenagers be getting a stronger message:  wait until marriage for sex or that teen pregnancy is difficult, think before you play!  Don’t leave it up to Hollywood or the school.  Parents need to get involved: Educate their Children!

You can do your part too!  If you want to see changes in society, boycott the stocks of companies opposed to your values.  You can avoid companies that are involved in spreading anti-family messages.  There are two categories of companies:

Anti-Family Entertainment

1) Producers: Those companies that are producing video, audio, print, or live entertainment that is violent, vulgar, sexually explicit/suggestive, glorifying rape or abuse, or mocking Judeo-Christian traditions or

beliefs.

2) Advertisers & Promoters:  Those companies that are sponsoring or promoting programs with anti-family values on prime-time television through advertisements.

Don’t let your morals be compromised.  Find out where you are investing and change the direction of your portfolio to align your faith and finances.  You can make a difference!