Learn to say no
The only supplement offered to this diet of destructive permissiveness is, of course, that universal panacea of child-rearing problems, enhanced self- esteem. Might it not be the case that poor self-image is partly the result of such degrading behaviour, not merely its cause?
I could now commend the Christian ethic of reserving sex for marriage, refraining from drunkenness and abstaining from illegal drugs, but I would be accused of trying to “impose my views”, being “unrealistic” and infringing the “right” of children to make their own decisions.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOf course, such Christian teaching will never be the official line in a secularised country such as ours, but could we at least let young people hear the evidence-based rational case for a more demanding and protecting moral stance on these issues?
Or does the amoral and misnamed “harm reduction” approach brook no rivals?
Richard Lucas
Broomyknowe