Baby-faced boy is father at 13

[Abigail]

Government advice tells them to discuss 'parenting aims and aspirations' with the youngsters.

Teenagers should be equipped with the necessary 'skills, knowledge and attitudes' to prepare them to bring up babies, said the Department of Health.

How could this be a good method of sex ed? They should focus on preventative measures. They should be educating teenagers on contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and responsibilities that they will have if they get a girl pregnant. Teach kids about the importance of forming real meaningful relationships.

But the majority if kids who are having unprotected sex don't care about catching STDs or getting pregnant or think it won't happen to them.

I'm not agreeing with the Whitehall idea, just saying that the current system obviously isn't working.

[StarsOfCCTV]

Maybe they should have sex workshops and have activities like those fake babies that cry at specific times or something. That would put them off!

[*-Rooney-*]

yeah like the ones you see on soaps and tv shows. the neighbours teens have just finished a similar project

[di marco]

surely its only a good idea to teach kids who are already fathers the joys of being a dad so the can be the best they can for their kid. why teach others how good fatherhood can be, surely they want to be persuading them not to have sex, not telling them how great having a baby is?

After 16, fathers who want to help bring their children up should be given one piece of advice: Get a job.'

haha that bit made me laugh!

[di marco]

Maybe they should have sex workshops and have activities like those fake babies that cry at specific times or something. That would put them off!

i always wanted one of those when i was at school but my school said they were too expensive for them to get!

[CrazyLea]

We had those baby things.. but only 2 people in the class were allowed them. I was glad though.. that baby definately would have stayed in the shed for the week.

[Chloe O'brien]

Why is down to the teachers and the Government to educated young people on underage sex and STD infections. It's the parents responsibilities. They are the ones who should have forbidden their kids to sleep over at the girls house and they should provide for them for the next 16 years instead of expecting Tax Payers to stump up. I heard on the news tonight that Alfie's mum is being charged because of Alfie playing truant.

If both Alfie and Chantelle are telling the truth about him being Maisie's Father. Then why the DNA test. Someone is lying, if chantelle claims that she only slept with Alfie and the other boys are lying then there a test is not required. they're either taking part in this publicity farse for the money or she has slept with more than one boy.

[Pinkbanana]

Why is down to the teachers and the Government to educated young people on underage sex and STD infections. It's the parents responsibilities. They are the ones who should have forbidden their kids to sleep over at the girls house and they should provide for them for the next 16 years instead of expecting Tax Payers to stump up. I heard on the news tonight that Alfie's mum is being charged because of Alfie playing truant.

If both Alfie and Chantelle are telling the truth about him being Maisie's Father. Then why the DNA test. Someone is lying, if chantelle claims that she only slept with Alfie and the other boys are lying then there a test is not required. they're either taking part in this publicity farse for the money or she has slept with more than one boy.

Completely agree with everything you have said there kath, from parents being more proactive and taking responsibility to all this who's the daddy saga... think all in all it shows the sad state this country is in... where some young people (esp the 2nd/3rd generation of peeps whose family are living on benefits) see having a child as some sort of career move/as a cash cow. Surely you'd want to aspire to greater things than living on benefits???

[Chloe O'brien]

I have nothing against anyone starting a family at 16 I know a girl who got fell pregnant at 16 and got married she now has four kids and a couple of grandkids and her and hubby are still together after 28 years so young marriges can work, but these are children they shouldn't be having sex it's wrong you can't charge the kids for breaking the law so hold the parents accountable and they should be hit where it hurts the most their wallet. Make them support Alfie, Chantelle and Maisie until both parents have completed their education at 18 and the father is in full-time employment.

[Pinkbanana]

I have nothing against anyone starting a family at 16 I know a girl who got fell pregnant at 16 and got married she now has four kids and a couple of grandkids and her and hubby are still together after 28 years so young marriges can work, but these are children they shouldn't be having sex it's wrong you can't charge the kids for breaking the law so hold the parents accountable and they should be hit where it hurts the most their wallet. Make them support Alfie, Chantelle and Maisie until both parents have completed their education at 18 and the father is in full-time employment.

I think there are two things here....one is yeah I agree, children (underage) shouldnt be having children and the parents need to take some responsibility in all this...maybe making them more accountable (financially) would help.

However, I think the benefit culture in this country....isn't helping. Mums seeing children as a way to make money...and get housing. I see it all the time where I work... last week I had to fill in forms because a mother thought her son had ADHA (the quietest child in the class) and despite someone coming out to observe him (who came back twice, thinking she had the wrong child the first time around!) and stating he didnt have it. She went on to claim the additional benefits this condition brings....now she is trying to claim 'severe' disability allowance for him too! This woman has four other children and doesn't care about them, whether they arrive at school, they are often at other people's houses being fed and cared for... she sees them in terms of purely squeezing money out of the state...

Sooo I guess what I am saying is that people arent too bothered about getting pregnant,as they know the state will pick up the pieces...