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>>>Intact families who discipline their children at home and teach them responsibility and respect for themselves and others is the “missing ingredient”.<<<

I agree 100 percent. I’ve seen it here in our rural Alaska schools, where the out-of-wedlock birth rate is astonishing. It’s even higher than the inner city. Of course, Native people have been under the socialist welfare state longer than any other group of Americans.

Whenever a student comes up to me and tells me that their sister, auntie, friend, or acquaintance is pregnant, I always ask the name of the husband. When they inevitably tell me that there is no husband, or just a boyfriend, I tell them point blank that not having an intact family will probably hurt the child. You’d think I’d get reams of crap for that, but usually the student looks down at her feet, shifts uncomfortably, and tells me I’m right. Every Native elder agrees with me, too, but they’re dying out quickly. Maybe one day I’ll be reprimanded for saying this, but I’m the one expousing the correct moral choice here. It’s a hill I’m willing to die on.

By the way, I’ve only been at this since 1998. I have a lot of catching up to do. Be well.

Yes, but with schools encouraging kids to sleep around from an early age with no moral qualms attached, and a media that glorifies it and parents who wouldn’t know how to even frame the idea... what do we expect will ever make it better?

I agree 100 percent. I’ve seen it here in our rural Alaska schools, where the out-of-wedlock birth rate is astonishing. It’s even higher than the inner city. Of course, Native people have been under the socialist welfare state longer than any other group of Americans.

Whenever a student comes up to me and tells me that their sister, auntie, friend, or acquaintance is pregnant, I always ask the name of the husband. When they inevitably tell me that there is no husband, or just a boyfriend, I tell them point blank that not having an intact family will probably hurt the child. You’d think I’d get reams of crap for that, but usually the student looks down at her feet, shifts uncomfortably, and tells me I’m right. Every Native elder agrees with me, too, but they’re dying out quickly. Maybe one day I’ll be reprimanded for saying this, but I’m the one expousing the correct moral choice here. It’s a hill I’m willing to die on.

Sad, isn't it. I'm generally a libertarian on sex but it seems in many places, kids are experimenting with it way too young and/or without being taught right so they can exercise good and wise thought processes to it. It is a natural thing and it is up to the families and parents to teach their kids the proper way and to arm them with the mental tools to exercise good judgment along with the idea of being responsible and accountable for their actions. You pointed out in many Eskimo and American Indian communities, they know the "Great White Father" (er, half-White? Mulatto? Pretenda from Kenya? I give up... BTW, I'm not PC At all) I prefer the truth good and bad) in DC will pick up the tab so responsibility and accountabilty go out the window or more correct, it falls on our shoulders community and moneywise. Having the welfare check as your parent is not the answer, you need ideally both parents with good though processes to teach their kids right.

I'd like to see the Eskimoes and Indians throw off the government yoke. I think what started it was "White Guilt" and the idea of using government power to lift them up. I think in time, they would have done so on their own plus don't forget, they have been taking care of themselves for thousands of years, way long before Uncle Sugar showed up.

Also, even though they are young, both the mother and father need to step up to the plate and learn fast and be responsible. Sure the local community and their families will help, but it looks better if they are helping themselves a little or at least giving it a good try.