The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is supposed to be regulating drug supplies, however, surreally and self-aggrandising meddling, it is now advising schools to provide ante-natal classes for pregnant pupils.
While, UK does have the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe, thrice the levels of France and six times that of the Netherlands, the government body should not be normalising the situation, making it acceptable and using taxpayers’ money to pay for classes for them.
Children should be looked after, not encouraged to have children themselves, as schoolgirls attending such classes will presume the message from the school is that it is okay to get pregnant. Pregnancy should not be a part of the school curriculum, but if NICE has its way, that is exactly what will happen, with pregnant teenagers going off in self-important groups to the classes, to be envied and emulated by their peers, all too soon.
The truth is a teenage having a baby is a tragedy, not only for the girl, but the child and society, in general. However, NICE is simply reflecting what many social workers and government agencies are doing i. e. elevating single motherhood from being an unfortunate mistake to an act of self-fulfilment.
They see a disturbed young girl, who because of having a horrible childhood has taken to drugs, self-harming and is running wild.
They mistakenly believe pregnancy is just what she needs, proving to be therapeutic experience that will see the young mother emerge confident and mature. Or, as one fashionable study put it: ‘How did opting for a baby and motherhood over shelf-stacking ever become a tragedy?’
But, it is nearly always a tragedy, though there are some teenage mothers who make great parents. The figures, however, are damning as babies born to teenage mothers are 60% more likely to die in their first year, compared to babies born to other parents. This is the health issue NICE should be addressing, aspiring for best contraception.
The other mistake NICE has made is believing sex education will stop girls getting pregnant, recently announcing sex education for five year olds. Teenagers are also being offered a new GCSE-style qualification in sex, in which they are taught how to use condoms and obtain the morning-after pill. The course is a Level 1 qualification, equivalent to a GCSE graded between D and G that will be offered at nine schools and colleges this term, with plans to expand it across the country.
Family campaigners voiced their outrage over the plans, earlier this week, while critics have warned the qualification, entitled Level One Award in Sexual Health Awareness, undermines parental authority and encourages sexual promiscuity among youngsters.