About Zebra magazine. (Athens, Ga.) 1996-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1998)
show 74 percent of the fathers to babies bom to teen mothers are 18 or older. Thirty-nine percent are 20 or older. “Young ladies at this age have some thing missing at home. They have a strong need for love and acceptance. They want to feel special and older men often make them feel that way. They (men) approach these girls because they are naive. They are looking for some one they can mold,” Ms. Green said. All three times, Michelle was im pregnated by adult men ages 20, 23 and 19, respectively. “Tve always liked older men. They are much nicer... look better and they have a car. They also buy me things,” Michelle said. “These girls have low self esteem. They are easy targets. However, some of the girls actually look much older than they really are.” Michelle is five-feet, seven inches tall, she's slim and her complexion is “paper bag” brown. She still possesses her girlish looks, despite the mini dresses, weave ponytails and sassy manners. She scoffed at the notion that she could have low self esteem. “Most of teen sex takes place during these critical hours when children are left home alone-that’s why outreach and after school programs are impor tant... not just in the inner city, all areas need them.” Some analysts feel that studies which report Black teens with higher pregnancy rates than other groups is misleading. In certain States only actual births are figured into teen pregnancy statistics, while abortions done in a public clinic or private doctor’s office are never counted. “Black teens tend to give birth, while their white counterparts have more abortions. This may be due to economic reasons.” “Pregnancy is a teen problem-that has nothing to do with race... too many of our children are having sex.” “Parents have to talk. They have to teach them that abstinence is the safest sex they can have to prevent pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS. Not only that, but they must tell their children that early sexual activity can lead to long-term emotional scars. Continuous abortions and unplanned pregnancies could decrease their chances of ever having healthy concep tion later in life.” “They must also teach prevention,” Ms. Green added. Parents must be pre pared to deal with the reality that their child may already be sexually active and not pretend it isn’t happening. The answer lies with the parents... once we as adults open up and start talking to our children, we will see a decline like we’ve never seen. All they want is someone to listen to them, and if we don’t lend them our ear, someone else will. “My vision for Athens-Clarke County is to bring the various interests in our community 7 to the same table and find ways that will allow us to create policies that converge on one set of common goals - to enrich the quality 7 of life for all Athenians and to see that everyone is permitted the opportunity to share in the business of our community.” Doc Eldridge has a vision for his beloved home town... for your town... your county. By involving every one of us, he knows that we can make Athens even better. Let’s make Athens even better... let’s elect Doc Eldridge Mayo/; November 3i~d PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT DOC ELDRIDGE MAYOR and CHAIR, BILL HOPPER, TREASURER VOLUME 5 ISSUE 25 7
