TV REVIEW : ‘Children of Children’ Heavy With Message

Do we really need to see another documentary about unwed teen mothers? Apparently we do: The United States continues to lead the Western world in teen pregnancies and abortions.

Tonight’s KABC-TV special, “Children of Children” (7-8 p.m., Channel 7), hosted by Collin Siedor, makes sure we get the message. The problem is growing; the mothers are getting younger all the time--as young as 10 years old--and they and we are suffering for it, individually, socially and economically.

Teen mothers, and a few teen fathers, candidly talk about the misinformation they had about birth control and the fantasy babies they thought would bring them nothing but love and attention.

Instead, they find they can’t hang out with friends, party, or go shopping, much less find a job. Real babies, they learn, are helpless, cry, make a mess, say “no” and are endlessly demanding.

The ignorance and immaturity of these confused young parents is stunning--and some are pregnant for a second time.

Impassioned commentary by educators, social workers and parents provide few answers. Sex education, despite the disastrous statistics, continues to be a divisive issue. Contrary to what most parents think, sex education is not widespread--it is only mandated in a few states.

Many experts think sex education in this country offers too little, too late. But, some conservative groups and clergy members think any is too much.

Late in this somber hour, we are given a glimpse of two new outreach programs that seem significantly more substantive than a widespread public relations campaign for abstinence or for birth control on request.

These programs, one in rural Washington state, one in the South Bronx, work at giving teens as much help in learning self-esteem and family and community values, as in sex education.

Siedor’s clear, simple narrative, and the images of the teens themselves, make this particularly worthwhile viewing by both children and parents.