As a gal who is part of the "Little House on the Prairie Generation", I have just finished raising two young men. It is not easy. It is a different World.

I worried about Aids and Hepatitis. I had to ensure they were prepared to protect themselves. I frequently told them that sex so early was unacceptable, but I was also brutally aware that they were going to do it anyway. Therefore I preached continuously about protection...and it paid off. I for one am happy condoms are available to our children because pregnancy was the least of my concern, it was a disease that would significantly shorten their life.

I am also happy about The Plan B Pill. The reasons were eloquently stated in other posts.

I had to worry about bullying, because fights are not handled fist-to-cuffs anymore. They are handled with guns and knives.

I had to worry about suicides and car crashes.

I had to worry about supplementing their education so they could get into good colleges.

Drugs? Wow...another thread entirely. Alcohol too.

Schools are getting involved because some parents just don't. The kids today need to learn tolerance, understanding and acceptance of others. IMHO, that is the only way that "their society" will move forward. All this hate stuff is getting old, and it is crippling us. They have challenges that we have never faced and children are growing up a lot faster. They are much more sophisticated and technically savvy and they were raised by a generation that was the first that had to incorporate technical skills in their life. I will say, they are not as respectful, but I think every generation says that though...

If I am ever a Grandma, I am going to be the one that makes yummy baked goods, send them home to their mom and dad with a nice sugar high, and take them to fun places. I am going to support the parents (my kids) with wisdom, if they ask for it, but overall, I think they are in a better position to raise their kids the way they deem best.

The World is rapidly changing, our future generations are going to have to change to survive. For me, I am just going to love them, hope I provided them the right tools necessary to succeed in life and be a good citizen.

Katie