Opal; Really, what needs to be said, is that teens need to be taught that a) sex is not a game, b) parenting isn’t a game, c) adulthood isn’t a game and d) life is not a game. I think, no matter the outcome of any of these pregnancies, they’re all about to learn those lessons the very, very hard way. And that’s what’s ultimately sad.

“Adults in the city need to do a better job of showing teen girls a pathway to adulthood that includes something other than parenting, she said.” (Statement from Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy)

Yes, teen pregnancy isn’t ideal. And yes, the pact idea seems … well, rather silly or even down right dumb. But why must that mean that we’re showing a pathway to adulthood that includes something other than parenting? I mean, one might guess that Ms. Quinn means that we need to show teen girls that pregnancy and giving birth does not make one a grown-up. But the other possible connotation of that comment seem very anti-teen parent.

That’s an interesting question. In the cast of statutory rape resulting in pregnancy, does the perpetrator have any rights as a father?