Eggbert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stereotype of teen fathers is that they are self-centered,

selfish, and unreliable. However, research shows that young

fathers go through the same emotional struggle and confusion

that young mothers do. Contrary to the popular image, they

want very much to do the “right” things, such as maintaining

their emotional commitment to the mother, providing financial

support, and choosing not to abandon their babies.

But the odds are against them. Service providers may

ignore a teen father’s feelings. The girlfriend’s family may

be hostile. The father is usually left out of decisions such as

whether or not to carry the baby to term. He may not be told

when the baby is born or that the child has been adopted. His

own family may pressure him to withdraw from the situation

or “buy” his way out of it. He rarely has the financial or

emotional resources to act on his good intentions.

Social service programs that include teen fathers help

them to stay involved, become competent fathers, and accept

the consequences of their actions. These programs enhance

the young adolescent’s moral development.

As children grow older, their moral standards and values

change. A young child’s ideas of right and wrong are based on

the desire to win approval and avoid punishment or criticism.

In adolescence, moral standards are no longer solely determined

by self-interest but increasing by general principles and abstract

values such as justice and fairness. Adolescents consider the

intent as well as the consequences when judging whether an

act is right or wrong.

Moral conduct is influenced by the ability to reason, the

ability to consider long-range consequences, the ability to

control one’s behavior, and the ability to empathize with others.

Parents and peers are also important influences.

Moral feelings, such as pride or guilt, are emotional reactions

to our own behavior. People do not always behave in ways

that are in line with their own sense of what is right or wrong.

Inevitably, when a person betrays his or her own moral code,

self-respect suffers. People that hurt others have a hard time

liking themselves.