An Associated Press Article reports Gov. Mike Rounds told state Library Board members on Tuesday that they could quickly resurrect a Web site for teens if the Internet links are appropriate for young people.
However, the governor said any restored links must first be cleared by state Education Secretary Rick Melmer. The State Library operates under the wing of the state Education Department.
“I truly do not believe that the vast majority of the citizens of this state would appreciate having their kids going to Go Ask Alice! on the state Web site,” the governor said.
“We have to err on the side of what a mom and a dad would expect on that link,” he said.
Okay, I agree…
Okay, I can agree with that. And as a dad, and speaking for my wife who is most assuredly a mom, we would want such a link on the library web site. I wonder if this Rounds character actually, you know, has kids? After all, he seems to be living in a happy fantasy candyland where, when teens have problems or questions about life, they go to their parents. Yes, sure, there are some teens who do exactly that and I bet we could count the ones we know on one hand and still have fingers left over.
Most teens don’t want to talk to their parents about sex. After all, this is their sex life we’re talking about here. Equally many teens won’t go to their parents if they’re feeling depressed because the parent’s will “just get all weird on me.” (That’s a direct quote from a teen I know. She doesn’t have depression problems, but when you have a really lousy day, you’re usually not looking for parental advice.) Teens are immature adults. Let me qualify that by saying that being immature doesn’t mean they’re not maturing. What it does mean is that they’re starting to handle things the way most adults would. If they have a bad day, they want to chill out with some music, or TV, or (goddess forbid) a book. If they have questions about sex or sexuality, they’ll either ask their friends or go to some other source than their parents. I mean, seriously folks, when was the last time you had a frank and open discussion with your parents about the last time you got laid? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Teens are going to utilize sources of information that maintain their privacy and, in many cases, their anonymity. I know this because I was a teenager once, and unlike many adults, I remember what it was like. The best you can hope for is giving them access to the right information instead of the wrong.
Re:Okay, I agree…
Well stated GW Dragon….
and if the teen is gay they will be less likely to talk to parents… the library is their best bet…and if the parents are “no sex until your married types” … well then there is no talking to them ….if your a sexually active teenager…