Appropriate conversation for teenagers

Pro31:28 · #1 09-01-2010, 11:23 AM

One of our other threads brought up an interesting topic, my 17 year old son is dating a girl who comes from a conservative (fundamental) Baprist background. They are now at our church and have been for a couple of years. Interestingly enough, her parents do not believe in any kind of birth control (she agrees with them). She is 17, she has a 4 month old brother.

She and my son have been talking about birth control, which has spurred my son into raiding our bookshelf for resources, Evangelical Ethics being one of them. It has become regular dinner time conversation at our house.
I was told by someone that this was entirely inappropriate for teenagers to be discussing topics such as birth control.

Just as an aside- they are not having sex, and the discussion was raised because they were talking about things that would come up if they got married.

What do you think?

OnTheFritz · #2 09-01-2010, 11:25 AM

I think it's very appropriate.

rgcraig · #3 09-01-2010, 11:26 AM

Better to be talking about it at the dinner table than the back seat of a car!

Yes - - I think it's awesome that he feels comfortable enough to discuss with you - wish all kids had that luxury!

OnTheFritz · #4 09-01-2010, 11:29 AM

And when considering marriage with someone down the road, it's important to know what you believe.

MissBrattified · #5 09-01-2010, 11:35 AM

I think it's fine for them to discuss as long as it's an open conversation with parental input welcome. (And it sounds like they're being pretty open.)

Just a random thought - There are lots of good health reasons for not taking the pill or any type of hormone that stops ovulation and menstruation. If your son is going to present a well-rounded argument and form a good opinion, then he needs to also research the physical ramifications for women from taking the pill, injections, etc. on a regular basis. Objecting to "unnatural" birth control isn't just a moral issue.

berkeley · #6 09-01-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pro31:28

One of our other threads brought up an interesting topic, my 17 year old son is dating a girl who comes from a conservative (fundamental) Baprist background. They are now at our church and have been for a couple of years. Interestingly enough, her parents do not believe in any kind of birth control (she agrees with them). She is 17, she has a 4 month old brother.

She and my son have been talking about birth control, which has spurred my son into raiding our bookshelf for resources, Evangelical Ethics being one of them. It has become regular dinner time conversation at our house.
I was told by someone that this was entirely inappropriate for teenagers to be discussing topics such as birth control.

Just as an aside- they are not having sex, and the discussion was raised because they were talking about things that would come up if they got married.

What do you think?

VERY responsible parenting!

Digging4Truth · #7 09-01-2010, 11:41 AM

Yes... this is entirely inappropriate conversation. You should wait until it is too late and then rail on them about how they should have known better.

TIC of course....

GOOD GRIEF... He's 17... if not now... PLEASE TELL ME WHEN?

I started having these conversations at opportune moments at 12, 13, 14. Conversations about dating, how to treat the other person, things that are important to the other gender, how to be a good boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse... Starting small and working into big stuff.

I'm surprised you could make out the words they were saying with their head in the sand like that.

Pro31:28 · #8 09-01-2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I think it's fine for them to discuss as long as it's an open conversation with parental input welcome. (And it sounds like they're being pretty open.)

Just a random thought - There are lots of good health reasons for not taking the pill or any type of hormone that stops ovulation and menstruation. If your son is going to present a well-rounded argument and form a good opinion, then he needs to also research the physical ramifications for women from taking the pill, injections, etc. on a regular basis. Objecting to "unnatural" birth control isn't just a moral issue.

Not just "the pill", they oppose vascectomies and tubal ligations as a form of preventing pregnancy as well... it has become a very interesting topic, especially because we opted to the surgical route 12 years ago

rgcraig · #9 09-01-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pro31:28

Not just "the pill", they oppose vascectomies and tubal ligations as a form of preventing pregnancy as well... it has become a very interesting topic, especially because we opted to the surgical route 12 years ago

What is their belief? That you shouldn't interfere at all with God's plan to procreate?

Digging4Truth · #10 09-01-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pro31:28

Not just "the pill", they oppose vascectomies and tubal ligations as a form of preventing pregnancy as well... it has become a very interesting topic, especially because we opted to the surgical route 12 years ago

From this post I picked up on the fact that you are not just (or maybe not at all) talking about you (as parents) talking to your child... but the kids talking to one another about this.

These are signs of a healthy and open line of communication between the two that, should they get married, would offer hope for a good & long lasting union.