I don't see it the same way as you, I don't try to shield my kids ... they wanted to go to this- with their Youth Group...should I have stopped them? It's not a bunch of old men in suits either. They had a Rock concert afterwards - teens having a really good time - with other teens.
Should parents start pulling their children out of Youth Groups or boycotting this event - just cause?? Just as Christian parents pull their kids out on Halloween or Sex Ed classes...(which I also feel is silly).... I don't fear them getting an earful at any of these places...
We set the example at home... They know our story, how we handled ourselves as teens in love.
I don't feel they are ruining their lives being involved in a Youth Group... the majority of teens in our kids's high school are messed up... drugs, broken homes, openly promiscuous, proud & BRAG about it - younger & younger ages... is this all healthy & good?
We are very pleased with the type of friends they hang with...We throw Large Bonfires/outdoor movies /music / volleyball ... for these youth kids in the summer. I get to hear some of their stories around the Fire..... some have it really tough in school for being different. For not joining in with the partying crowd/ drinking/smoking / sexting, etc. They feel a community with like minded teens.
I am surely not suggesting that every kid that wears a purity ring is living up to anything...HECK NO! But I wouldn't suggest that every one is "screwing" either...
There is a minority....given a good home, self discipline & morals that abound their hormones -these have a greater chance of staying on course being around other like minded people. Also hanging in groups, not getting off alone is another factor.
And this is the sad part



... it just makes it all FOOLISH and laughable....
You see, it has to be much deeper than a ring, being moved by some promise at a meeting & socking down $20.. No, this will not last... It has to be something they believe in deeply......
I would say the silver ring idea
fails as often as DIETS do for women, we have good intentions but we can't stick to it, it's going against our baser cravings... My beef is the rediculous expectations they set though, not the notion to "wait" for Love.... Me & my husband did and I do not believe I am naive to feel our children may walk in similar foot steps as us...
They know we
wouldn't judge them if they choose to have sex out of wedlock - but yes, in all things....
RESPONSIBILITY is #1. That is drilled into their heads above all - You can choose what you want, but you damn well better be wise about it ! Cause Mom & Dad won't be picking up the pieces.
I see this in the church... Our kids will tell us how so & so got busted for -sneaking to see a BF cause their parents are so darn strict & they can't talk to them. Many parents heads are in the sand. Heck , ours knows I yack about
on TAM - they know who to come too! It's a free flowing topic at our house -joking, bantering, even serious discussions. It's not the norm.... But it's our way.