St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Babies out of wedlock

Britain has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe - six times as high as in the Netherlands, three times France’s and twice Germany’s - 4.60% of British women under 18 get pregnant, and for Bradford the figure is 5.34%. Also, 39.5% of all babies in Britain are born outside marriage, and for the North East of England the figure is now 50.5%.

Why is this?

Victoria Gillick (Radio Leeds, 18 July) said that Britain has always had a high birth-rate for 18- and 19-year-old mums: ever since the war. There used to be a high marriage rate among this age-group (compared to Europe), but now many women are missing out the wedding before having the baby.

For 13- to 17-year-olds, a university study says that making condoms freely and widely available is a mistake (The Times, 1 May). It helps people think that sex in teenage years is natural and normal, and most young people don’t use contraceptives properly (if at all). Everyone agrees that the result is bad for the young women, and (of course) bad for their babies. “The figures show that (except in highly religious areas like Northern Ireland) there is much less social stigma about extramarital births and cohabitation, and that it is happening more in the more disadvantaged groups in society”, one researcher said. “Many people start parenthood in more fragile partnerships, and more of these break up.”

What can we do about it?

Children of single parents are often helped by their wider families. Here are four suggestions about what we might do:

• We can try to help such families in practical ways. (This is one aim of the Mothers’ Union, and it’s vital to the other points below.)

• We can all say marriage is important. Spokesmen for the RC and Anglican churches said “We believe marriage is the cornerstone of family life. Children need stability, and marriage provides that stability. Marriage is the best institution in which to raise children.” We can all echo these words.

• We can try to educate people about relationships. Each year we have a “mock wedding” at St Luke’s School. It’s a fun time for all - but it’s about teaching the children the importance of a public commitment in marriage, and that is really important.

• We can try to introduce people to Jesus. Because what they do depends on what’s in their hearts. If Jesus gets in there he has a chance to keep some of the other stuff out.

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. September 2002, Page 2.
Home Page. Index of articles. Marriage: index, Remarriage, Why marry, Preparation, Blessings, Babies before, Homosexuality 1. Weddings at St Luke's. In this issue: (September 2002) Vicar's Letter, Babies out of wedlock, All included, Evening Service, Hindu Site.	Babies out of wedlock Britain has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe - six times as high as in the Netherlands, three times France’s and twice Germany’s - 4.60% of British women under 18 get pregnant, and for Bradford the figure is 5.34%. Also, 39.5% of all babies in Britain are born outside marriage, and for the North East of England the figure is now 50.5%. Why is this? Victoria Gillick (Radio Leeds, 18 July) said that Britain has always had a high birth-rate for 18- and 19-year-old mums: ever since the war. There used to be a high marriage rate among this age-group (compared to Europe), but now many women are missing out the wedding before having the baby. For 13- to 17-year-olds, a university study says that making condoms freely and widely available is a mistake (The Times, 1 May). It helps people think that sex in teenage years is natural and normal, and most young people don’t use contraceptives properly (if at all). Everyone agrees that the result is bad for the young women, and (of course) bad for their babies. “The figures show that (except in highly religious areas like Northern Ireland) there is much less social stigma about extramarital births and cohabitation, and that it is happening more in the more disadvantaged groups in society”, one researcher said. “Many people start parenthood in more fragile partnerships, and more of these break up.” What can we do about it? Children of single parents are often helped by their wider families. Here are four suggestions about what we might do: • We can try to help such families in practical ways. (This is one aim of the Mothers’ Union, and it’s vital to the other points below.) • We can all say marriage is important. Spokesmen for the RC and Anglican churches said “We believe marriage is the cornerstone of family life. Children need stability, and marriage provides that stability. Marriage is the best institution in which to raise children.” We can all echo these words. • We can try to educate people about relationships. Each year we have a “mock wedding” at St Luke’s School. It’s a fun time for all - but it’s about teaching the children the importance of a public commitment in marriage, and that is really important. • We can try to introduce people to Jesus. Because what they do depends on what’s in their hearts. If Jesus gets in there he has a chance to keep some of the other stuff out. John Hartley
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