by Teresa Brouwer

Created on: September 15, 2008

Madonna sang it and society booed it. In her song, "Papa Don't Preach," some people believed that Madonna was condoning teenage pregnancy. The video clearly sent a message showing that parents and teenage girls should come together during a time like this; a time of need, approval, acceptance, and love.

If your child comes home and says, "I'm pregnant," what will you say? Preaching is the last thing your daughter wants to hear. She knows that her social life is over, she knows that her future and possibly college plans are put on hold, she knows the financial downfalls that are ahead of her, and she knows that there is a possibility that the baby's father will vanish or end up with another girl.

Teenage girls who become pregnant think about these things. Once they find out they are pregnant, it's like a blow to the face. Everything comes to the surface, their own personal thoughts, questions, worries, regrets, doubts, and fear comes with a shock of a lifetime.

Teens think that they are immortal, they believe it won't happen to them, so preaching is a dead end street with nowhere to go. In fact, the more we push our children away when they come home pregnant, the more we are pushing them into a line of fire.

Its a done deal, you're daughter is pregnant. The question is are you going to respect what she wants or are you going to tell her what she should do? This is a tough question as your daughter is a young woman and women have rights.

Fathers as well as any parent should really educate themselves on teenage pregnancy, teen relationships, and teen love. The National Statistics states, "26% of pregnant teens reported being physically abused by their boyfriends. About half of them said the battering began or intensified after he learned of her pregnancy." In additions, "One in five female high school students report being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner."

Even though we feel strong about our religious beliefs, morals and values, and cultural backgrounds, kicking our kids out of the house is not the answer. It is not the parent's job to support their pregnant teen financially, but being their emotionally will help the young girl to have a second chance at a new beginning.

In Madonna's video, Papa Don't Preach, we watch as the father goes through different transitions of emotion. He reminisces when his daughter was a little girl, he goes through a process of yelling, but then he embraces her with open arms.

I only hope that if your daughter comes home pregnant, you will do the same.

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