Funds to Aid Teen Moms

Re “County May Reject Teen Parent Grant,” Oct. 20.

I am appalled at the archaic attitude of Ventura County School Board member Ron Matthews in advocating the refusal of grant funds to help teen mothers. And to what purpose? To punish the victims, the girls and their babies in some misguided effort to discourage teenage pregnancy? How ridiculous!

Does Mr. Matthews seriously believe that most teenage mothers get pregnant out of a fantasy wish to have a baby? Get serious. Most teenage girls get pregnant because of pressure exerted by their lovers, often men years their senior who selfishly fail to use birth control. If there is any fantasy being generated in this scenario, it is often a male one.

If Mr. Matthews really wants to serve the community, he will support a program that will encourage teenage mothers to finish high school and become employable and able to support their children. He will encourage girls (and boys) to learn how to become responsible parents and help break the patterns of welfare and child abuse that are common for teenage mothers.

That is the truly moral approach to this problem.

ANNETTE HECK

Port Hueneme

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I was appalled to read of the shortsightedness of the two trustees of the Ventura County Board of Education in turning down grant money that was to be used for the teen mother education program.

Instead of rewarding teens for having babies, it is rewarding the taxpayers of Ventura County by providing these girls with an education to become more productive citizens and helping to ensure mentally and physically healthier babies.

I hope the board will reconsider, if that is possible, and give these girls the help they need on their way to adulthood.

CAROL SHOEMAKER

Oxnard