Clipmarks | Eaglewings's 'children' clips

Texas Appellant Court ruling appalling

Sat, 24 May 2008 02:29:28 GMT

clipped by: Eaglewings
clipper's remarks: In the world of the FLDS, "spiritual marriage" between older men and underage girls — what the law defines as rape — is given the stamp of religious approval. Of 53 girls believed to be between 14 and 17, more than 30 have children or are pregnant, including one who gave birth to her second child in custody. Among the boys, too, there is suspicion of widespread physical abuse. Indeed, many teenage boys are routinely banished to preserve the odds of polygamy.

Nevertheless, what do we make of an entire sect that has sexual abuse at its very heart? That believes plural "marriages" between older men and underage women are not an aberration but a pathway to heaven?

Nobody can prosecute the FLDS for what they believe, says Marci Hamilton, author of God vs. the Gavel. "They can stay together and believe what they want into eternity. What they can't do is illegal action."

In the end, what we have on that ranch in Eldorado is not a lifestyle. It's a pedophile ring.

Clip Source: www.npr.org

Morning Edition, May 23, 2008 · A Texas appeals court ruled Thursday that the state had no right to take more than 400 children from a polygamist ranch. The court conceded that some underage teens may have been sexually abused, but that the state did not prove that all the removals of children from their parents were justified.

Child welfare officials said they were mystified by the appeals court's ruling, saying that the department had "removed children from the Yearning for Zion Ranch after finding a pervasive pattern of sexual abuse."

Child welfare officials who visited the ranch "revealed a pattern of underage girls being 'spiritually united' with older men and having children with the men," the agency said.

Tags: flds, pedophilia, child abuse, sex, sexual abuse, texas, religion, sects, cults

Broken Homes breaking the economic bank

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:24:12 GMT

clipped by: Eaglewings
clipper's remarks: Perhaps we are not willing to look at the real cost of broken homes. Being a product of a broken home myself I can personally state the high price I had to pay as a result of being raised in a fatherless home. The emotional scars and damage caused by the harmful effects of a parent leaving were hard to overcome. I am unable to calculate the actual financial cost the broken home had on myself but I can say for a surety that it certainly had an ill effect on it.

Now I am not saying to anyone to stay in a dangerous relationship but too many marriages are destroyed for no other reason then selfishness and unforgiveness. It is no better for the Christian home than it is for the non-Christian household it would appear.

Perhaps we need to spend more time and energy on making ourselves better spouses than trying to fix our 'better half'?

Clip Source: www.christianpost.com

The Institute for American Values and the Georgia Family Council have just released a sobering study titled “The Taxpayer Cost of Divorce and Unwed Childbearing.” The study notes that while the debate on marriage usually focuses on its social, moral, and religious qualities, marriage is also an “economic institution.” It is a “powerful creator of human and social capital.”

Between 1970 and 2005, the percentage of children being raised in two-parent families dropped from 85 to 68 percent.

The principal causes of this drop were the high divorce rate and the increase in the number of out-of-wedlock births. While the number of divorces has declined slightly in recent years, the percentage of children born to unmarried mothers has continued to grow.

“Divorce and unwed childbearing create substantial public costs, paid by taxpayers.”

How much? A minimum of $112 billion a year.

in “increased taxpayer expenditures for antipoverty, criminal justice . . . education programs,” and lost tax revenues.

Tags: marriage, divorce, broken, homes, children, financial, burden

Against Law to Homeschool

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:06:21 GMT

clipped by: Eaglewings
clipper's remarks: Well once again the government of the people by the people and for the people seems to be giving it to the people. I do not know how the public education system got so out of control in this country but I think it is about time we the people started to take back control of the things that matter in our society, starting with the education of our children.

Clip Source: www.christianpost.com

Tens of thousands of parents could be subject to criminal sanctions after a California appeals court ruled parents do not have a constitutional right to homeschool their children.

Parents must have teaching credentials to educate their kids at home.

Advocates for homeschooling families vowed to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.

Tags: public, school, schools, education, homeschooling, rights, government

Sex Tourism targeting American Youth

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:13:39 GMT

clipped by: Eaglewings

Clip Source: www.churchexecutive.com

WASHINGTON --Demands for commercial sex have created a growing market of sex tourism and human trafficking in the United States, with an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 American children at risk of becoming victims of sexual exploitation, according to a new report.

"U.S. citizens and permanent residents under the age of 18 are increasingly being recruited into the commercial sex markets," the report says. Runaway children and underage American women are among the most common victims of human trafficking.

"As the culture continues to normalize sexual images and activities, the markets grow," the study says. "The sexualized popular culture ... reduces moral barriers to accessing commercial sex."

The United States, the report says, presents a unique challenge to those combating the sex slave industry: Most Americans are wired.

"If there were no buyers, there would be no sellers, and there would be no victims," the documentary says.

Tags: sex, prostitution, pediophilia, pornography, sex trade, slavery

First Born smarter than younger siblings study finds.

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:00:23 GMT

clipped by: Eaglewings

Clip Source: www.abcnews.go.com

Controversial Study Suggests Eldest Children Have an IQ Edge

Norwegian researchers suggest firstborn children may be smarter on average than their younger siblings. (PhotoDisc)

Given the choice, 9-year-old Carlyle Quinn would spend all day with his microscope, while younger brother Max would opt for the electric guitar.

There's no telling how these brothers living in Brooklyn, N.Y., will grow up. But according to groundbreaking new research, it is very likely Carlyle will have the highest IQ.

The study, published in the current issue of the journal Science, involved more than 240,000 Norwegian men who took intelligence tests when they entered the military. In most families, the scores of the firstborn were three points higher than the second child, and four points higher than a third.

It's not a huge difference, but it might be enough to divide an A student from a B student.

Tags: children, iq, intelligence, child developement

A Case for Fathers: Happy Father's Day Dads!!

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 20:42:55 GMT

clipped by: Eaglewings

Clip Source: www.familyfacts.org

1. Fathers’ religiosity is linked to higher quality of parent-child relationships.

2. Fathers who regularly attend religious services are more likely to be engaged in one-on-one activities with their children.

3. Civically active fathers are more likely to participate in youth-related activities.

4. Fathers’ engagement in their children’s activities was linked to higher academic performance.

5. Among adolescent boys, those who receive more parenting from their fathers are less likely to exhibit anti-social and delinquent behaviors.

6. Among adolescent girls, those who have a strong relationship with their fathers are less likely to report experiencing depression.

7. Close father-adolescent bonds protect against the negative influence of peer drug use.

8. Adolescent girls who have a close relationship with their fathers are more likely to delay sexual activity.

9. Adolescent girls whose fathers were present during their childhood are less likely to become pregnant.

Tags: fathers, dads, fatherhood, relationships, family, sons, daughters

Drug 'em just do not spank 'em

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 20:32:02 GMT

clipped by: Eaglewings
clipper's remarks: Whenever we deviate from Godly principles or sound biblical wisdom our society suffers for it. Here is just another example of a society drunk on its own foolishness disregarding the obvious in favor of an anti-Christian value system. Regardless of the ill effects a public policy may have on our society those who set such policy refuse to acknowledge the failure of such policies. Their reasoning would appear to be anything but Judeo Christian values. Even though those same values, when enacted, lead to a better society they still refuse to acknowledge its benefits. Our own national history is riddled with glaring examples of the benefits of leading a Godly life in society. Yet in today's culture being "Christian" is politically incorrect and thusly forbidden.

So spare the rod and drug your kids has become the acceptable manner in which we discipline our children. Excuse me but I think a good swat on the buttocks works better and swifter then Prozac. But what do I know?

Clip Source: christiannewstoday.com

“It is ironic that while there’s a prevalent anti-spanking culture, many of these same opponents of spanking embrace drug therapy for calming dishonorable, disobedient, and unruly children. It appears that parents are faced with a few choices. They can employ a system of behavior management including spanking, which creates a more responsive child; or they can drug them when they become pre-teens and teenagers, and live in fear of their children. It’s the price society pays for rejecting Creator-based principles.” Dr. DavidSon offers Christ-based guidance on Spanking, Child Abuse, and similar topics on the Christ based Counseling web site.

“The view that spanking promotes societal violence belies the obvious. Since spanking was the base-form of discipline through the sixties, generations born prior to the sixties must be the most violent in the population. It is quite the contrary. I believe the public record demonstrates, it is the generations after the sixties who are more violent.

Tags: spanking, discipline, childhood, child, rearing, children, drugs

PIMPIN OUR DAUGHTERS

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 04:23:24 GMT

clipped by: Eaglewings
clipper's remarks: In the words of Hillary Clinton ' It takes a village' why does it take scientific studies and polls to make us aware of what is going on in our own families and culture? I mean does it really require society to tell us what is wrong with our families? DADS must someone else tell you what is appropriate behavior for your sons and daughters?

As long as there is pop culture and idols are made of television stars our young people will be tempted to look like what they see on TV and in the movies. Perhaps a return to decency and a little old fashion modesty is in order?

Clip Source: www.townhall.com

The American Psychological Association has discovered that too early sexualization of children, particularly girls, is damaging. How about that? Because I have well-developed views on this subject, I almost didn't read the long article about it in the Health section of The Washington Post this week. But I'm glad I did because just when you think you're up to date on cultural decline, you are surprised.

Here is reporter Stacy Weiner on the state of preteen fashion: "Ten-year-old girls can slide their low cut jeans over 'eye-candy' panties. French maid costumes, garter belt included, are available in preteen sizes. . . . And it's not unusual for girls under 12 to sing, 'Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?'" As Nora Ephron memorably put it in another context, "No matter how cynical I get, I just can't keep up."

The Post article and the APA report focus on the increasing rates of eating disorders, depression and low self-esteem among younger and younger girls. Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., for example, is now seeing patients as young as 6 with eating disorders. Girls are worrying about their weight and expressing dissatisfaction with their bodies at younger ages.

Tags: sex, modesty, pop culture, attire, feminism, adolesence, puberty

Listening to Only Christian Music Child Abuse?

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 04:03:37 GMT

clipped by: Eaglewings
clipper's remarks: Me thinks Big Brother is getting way too intrusive. It is time to honor the rights of individuals from illegal search and seizure and from government intrusion into the private lives of its citizens.

Clip Source: www.hslda.org

At the end of January, in Port Huron, Michigan, the Millings family* were minding their own business, homeschooling their children. Suddenly a social worker knocked at the door demanding entry. When the mother refused to let her in, and handed her a piece of paper describing her rights, the social worker crumpled up the paper and said, “I’m not dealing with it.” Then she stated that if she couldn’t come in to examine the children she would get the police. She yelled over the mom’s objections that she wanted to “come in now” and do a strip search of one of the children.

The allegations by the anonymous tipster were absurd. The family was accused of “only allowing their two boys to listen to Christian music.” The tipster said that the children “ate their cheerios dry” and received nearly all their “socialization through their church.” The tipster asserted the children were not in school. Furthermore, the anonymous tipster said the “fourteen- and ten-year-old were seen outside playing without adult supervision” and the mother “pinched and hit her kids in church to keep them quiet.” The last allegation was the reason why the social worker wanted to strip search one of the children.

The Millings were able to get a statement from a local doctor indicating that the children were not abused, and letters from various individuals who vouched for them being good parents.

Unfortunately, the anonymous tipster struck again and made another call. When the social worker renewed her efforts to personally interview and strip search the children, she indicated to Klicka that if she was not allowed to get into the home to do this, she would seek a court order.

Klicka responded with, “You can’t get a court order, because there is no probable cause.” He explained that an anonymous tip does not rise to the level of probable cause and that a court order could not be issued because there was not credible evidence. The social worker closed by saying she would seek a court order by Friday.

Tags: ccm, christian, christianity, home schooling, rights, legal, separation of church and state