Babies Everywhere

If you've been reading for a while, you know I often have questions about the things that puzzle me.  I often wonder if I am the only one scratching her head when something odd crosses my radar.  So what am I wondering about today?  Pregnancy.  

No, I am not pregnant, nor do I want to be pregnant.  I have paid my debt to society and obeyed the command to "be fruitful and multiply" :)  What I am wondering about is whether or not you think pregnancy is sacred and about whether or not we encourage unwed pregnancies in our society.

Please don't think I am being a judge, because that is not my intention.  Often, a single, pregnant woman signifies the fact that she bravely chose to allow her baby to live instead of ending its life.  But that's not what I'm talking about today.

What made me ask these questions is the nude spread a very pregnant, single celebrity recently did.  The other is a photo of two very young, single women posing at a baby shower.

While I don't believe unwed mothers should be stoned or persecuted, I do wonder if the shame and stigma that used to be associated with bringing children into the world outside of marriage, is missing.  

Does the fear of being embarrassed help to deter us from making poor decisions?   If that is the case, are we glamorizing single mothers with many of the shows that we find on television now and the choices of celebrities?  Are we doing ourselves and our girls a disservice?  What do you think?

If it Feels Good

While catching up on a drama via DVR a few days ago, I found myself speechless.  I won't say what show I was watching, but I will say I probably won't be watching it for much longer.  One woman, who is currently separated from her husband, was telling her friend about a sexual affair she's involved in with another man.  She is asking for advice about casual sex.

Their exchange goes something like this:

Are you having fun?
Yes.
Well if you're having fun, and it makes you happy, I wouldn't change a thing.
You're right.

She continues having the affair.  I had to rewind it twice to make sure I heard it correctly.  Wow.  What kind of advice is that?  Basically she gave her carte blanche to do whatever feels good.  I would expect this kind of advice to come from a tween perhaps, but not a grown woman.

I have found myself watching much less TV lately.  I used to enjoy the mindlessness of watching funny shows or compelling dramas or even inspiring reality shows.  The problem I'm having is that everything seems laced with excessive negative drama and/or illicit sex.

The messages are poisonous.  It's no wonder marriages are in trouble.  It's no wonder girls and women are fooled into believing the Real Housewives lives and acting desperately.  Television is sending such powerful messages to us even if we don't realize it.  The media has the ability to chip away at one's values and replace sound thinking with nonsense.

I am not implying that television is evil.  Anything has the ability to be evil.  I am simply suggesting the we carefully choose the things we allow into our homes through our television.

Ask yourself:
1.  Does this show cause me to have impure thoughts?
2.  Does it make me dissatisfied with my real life?
3.  Do I feel guilty after watching it?
4.  Does it compromise my morals?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to rethink your tv choices.  I know I am.