Program for Teen-Age Moms Deserves Praise

Regarding “Teen-Age Moms Turn to Peers” (June 24), the program described is certainly needed. It is unfortunate that some criticize this program on the basis that the women enrolled in it are given small cash payments for staying with the program and avoiding another pregnancy. I would like to ask these critics what they propose instead.

This program offers a humane response to women who are faced with the great challenge of parenthood when they themselves are only emerging from childhood. To help mother and child cope, the program seeks to encourage teen-age mothers to wait until they have gained skills and maturity before adding to their already considerable responsibilities by bearing another child.

As teen-age pregnancy contributes to demands on the public health-care system, the child welfare system and ultimately (unfortunately) the criminal justice system, the expenditures on this program should be very cost effective. Every segment of society stands to benefit from this program. The taxpayer has the prospect of realizing savings in the public funding of newborn intensive care units and youth prisons. The mothers have the prospect of seeing their children have a chance in life. This program forms a partnership between the state and the individual teen-age mother to work toward a goal we can all agree on: the effective parenting of the children of California. For the sake of all of us, I hope this type of program gets a very high priority for funding by the state.

TIM SIEGEL

Whittier