Pubdate: Wed, 27 Nov 2002
Source: Kansas City Star (MO)
Copyright: 2002 The Kansas City Star
Contact:  http://www.kcstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/221
Author: Mary M Arends

CHILD ABUSE HORROR

A recent As I See It writer suggested using parent education programs to 
prevent child abuse. This is a good idea. But waiting until the children 
are born to intervene is about 10 years too late.

Children should be taught parenting by their parents. If their parents 
can't teach them, then intervention in the schools becomes necessary. Boys 
and girls should have a good idea of what is expected of parents by the age 
of 9 or 10.

When girls and boys have had their first sexual encounter by age 11, and 
some have babies by age 15, counseling in the birthing room isn't going to 
get it.

Many of the "parents" of the abused-living and abused-deceased children are 
involved in the drug culture. Until something is done to stem the use of 
methamphetamine and crack cocaine, we might as well take the money spent by 
well-meaning people such as this writer and throw it in a blazing fire.

If I was in charge, women giving birth to babies with drugs in their 
systems would be candidates for sterilization; men who kill children would 
also give up the right to father any more children to be maimed or killed.

Mary M Arends

Kansas City
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