Sisters of teen mums more likely to have babies young
A girl is far more likely to become a teenage mum if she has a sister who has already become one, a new academic study shows. ‘The research says how important family is compared to institutions,’ says one of the researchers Professor Carol Propper. The ‘peer effect’ on girls aged 16 to 18, raised the chances of becoming a teenage mother from about one in five to two in five. The researchers, who conducted the study, said the effect was stronger when sisters were closer together in age, and also from poorer households. The study concluded that the ‘peer effect’ had a greater impact on teenage pregnancy than any education or advice they are given at school. ‘These findings provide strong evidence that the contagious effect of teen motherhood in siblings is larger than the general effect of being better educated. ‘This suggests that more policies aimed directly at decreasing teenage pregnancy may be needed in order to reduce teen births.’
Pray: for a better understanding of how to reach vulnerable girls to help them make better informed life choices. (Ex.18:20)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/sisters-of-teen-mums-more-likely-to-have-babies-young/
Ex-Spice Girl speaks out against child sexualisation.
Former Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm says the sexualisation of children has gone too far, and encouraged stars like Rihanna to take more responsibility for their performances.
Miss Chisholm’s comments come amidst increasing concern about child sexualisation, and follow a Government review into the problem. Commenting on the issue she said: ‘People have to take some responsibility because we’ve got to a point where over-sexualisation of young children has gone too far. ‘I think music is a big part of that. Women in music, very successful women, are extremely sexual and they have young fans. It is inappropriate. Earlier this year hit songwriter Mike Stock warned that pop music has taken ‘a slow but unmistakable descent into pornography’. He said: ‘Pop music in this country is almost completely dominated by American acts who have taken sexualised imagery, dance moves and lyrical content way beyond the limits of decency.’
Pray: for a reappraisal of what is appropriate for pop videos aimed at our youngsters. (Je.35:15)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ex-spice-girl-warns-rihanna-about-sexualised-image/
Pro footballer: Faith is 24/7
Darren Moore, who has played for clubs such as Portsmouth, West Brom and Derby during an impressive career, revealed he converted to Christianity after Bradford City assistant boss Wayne Jacobs invited him to a Christians in Sport meeting back in 1999. ‘Even though I had become a professional footballer, I had doubts that I wasn’t good enough. But after I attended that meeting I became a Christian and I realised that God loved me, it was an amazing experience. He said: ‘This is a 24-7 thing for me. Just as you build a relationship with your partner or your wife, you have to build one with the Lord. He wants to be with you through the good and the bad times.’ In his spare time, as well as being a regular at church, he also is active in Christian charity Faith in Football along with fellow stars Linvoy Primus and Lomana Lua-Lua.
Pray: for Darren and that his witness will encourage others to seek the Lord. (1Ch.16:10)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/pro.footballer.faith.is.247/28463.htm
Cameron must re-engage with Broken Society agenda
As Parliament reconvenes to discuss the riots, Christian charity CARE has called on the Prime Minister to re-engage with the Broken Society agenda, with its emphasis on tackling family breakdown and fatherlessness, which he promoted vigorously when in opposition. Dan Boucher, CARE’s Director of Parliamentary Affairs, said, ‘The reasons for the riots are complex. It is very unlikely that there is any one single explanation. A key element in the mix, however, is undoubtedly the place of the family and the role of fathers in particular in Britain in 2011. When in opposition, David Cameron spoke at great length about the Broken Society and about how a Conservative government would fix broken Britain. He was very clear that one of the key drivers of the Broken Britain phenomenon was family breakdown and fatherlessness and interestingly polling demonstrates that this resonated far more effectively with the public than his subsequent focus on the Big Society ever has.’
Pray: that our government would take the Broken Society and Big Society agendas and see how together they could help in the current situation. (Php.4:6)
