We usually hear that we should honor our parents, but I propose that we also honor our children.  Our children deserve to feel that they have worth.  They deserve to be treated and respected as an equal.  They deserve to be raised the best way possible so that we can leave the world in good hands.  They deserve the best possible teachers and champions we have to offer.  They deserve you.

What is honor?  Honor is respecting our children.  Honor is acknowledging our children’s inherit value.  Honor is teaching our children they have worth.  Children need to know by our words and actions that we think they are unique and special.  When we honor our children we are teaching them how to honor themselves.  If we do not respect our children, how can they respect themselves?  How can they respect others?

How do we honor children?  We do not honor children by objectifying them.  We do not honor children by subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) communicating that they are useless and worthless.  We honor children when we take an interest in what they tell us.  We honor children when we help them make and achieve worthwhile goals.  We honor children when we love them and respect them as equals in human dignity.  We honor children when we show them in word and deed what it means to be a good person.

Why?  Because children need to know they have worth and can make a difference in society. 

There are too many problems that stem from children growing up not knowing what proper behavior is for an adult.  Children learn by our actions how to react to challenges and disappointments.  They learn from us how to structure their lives and to be productive citizens.  What are you teaching?  Children learn by our actions how to love themselves.  When children respect themselves, they are encouraged to act their best and be their best.  Children learn from our actions how to honor and love other people.  We are raising the future parents, future teachers, future leaders and future citizens of the world.  So let’s make sure that we are modeling to children the qualities that really will make the world a better place.

So what does this mean?

Put away our selfishness and stop thinking of ourselves first.  This means we need to really look at our children.  This means we need to look around at the neighborhood children.  How can we honor them more?  The children in our homes, neighborhoods, cities, states, country and countries of the world need champions – be that champion.

Our children are the future.  We need to raise them with an eye to that future and not just on ourselves.  How will my actions affect children – the future adults of all nations?   We don’t need to spoil them or prevent them from facing the consequences of their actions, but it is the time to start honoring them.  Let’s love them and teach them to love themselves and those around them.

Pregnancy is unethical.  Bet you didn’t know that.  Anna Smajdor, an ethicist at the UK’s University of East Anglia, believes that being pregnant for nine months  and then delivering  the child is too risky, painful and socially restrictive to subject women to it any longer.   Dr. Smajdor believes that large junks of public funding should be immediately directed towards the creation of artificial wombs.  She wonders how men and women can ever be equal if women continue to be subject to pregnancy.

Dr. Smajdor is a leading proponent of ectogensis – “the growth process of embryonic tissue placed in an artificial environment,” or an artificial womb.

 ”I suggest that there is a strong case for prioritizing research into ectogenesis as an alternative to pregnancy. I conclude by asking the reader the following: if you did not know whether you would be a man or a woman, would you prefer to be born into Society A, in which women bear all the burdens and risks of pregnancy, or Society B, in which ectogenesis has been perfected.”

In Dr. Smajdor’s world, pregnancy is a disease that medical technology must engineer away because a civilized society would not subject women to it.  “Either we view women as baby carriers who must subjugate their other interests to the well-being of their children or we acknowledge that our social values and level of medical expertise are no longer compatible with “natural” reproduction.”

I decided to talk to women and do my own little unofficial survey on this topic.   So I went straight to the top – so to speak.  I approached my boss, Carol Soelberg, President of United Families International and natural mother of 13 children.  As I explained Dr. Smajdor’s ideas and asked for her opinion, a range of emotions from dismay to disgust quickly went across her face.  Then she quietly said,

“She doesn’t speak for me.  Don’t take from me the joy and the privilege of pregnancy – the chance to give life to a child.  That woman doesn’t speak for me.”

Enough said.

Sometimes the disgusting content comes looking for your child in the form of pop-up ads, as was the case with a young Colorado child who was using a coloring app when she accidently clicked on a porn ad and got an eyeful.  Purchasing the app maybe the only way you can protect your child from this type of assault.

What about Smartphone filters?

Net Nanny is releasing filters for the Android devices the first of Feburary  and then for the iPhone and other Apple devices in March. They have free-trials available. More info here.  There’s also the free filter for iPhone that you can get at K-9 Web Protector.  There are numerous other products available to protect your child, but do your homework.  Many of them meet with mixed reviews.

We at UFI make no claim in understanding the ins and outs of Smartphone use, but we want to remind parents that protecting our children from questionable content is something that deserves our full attention.  If you readers have ideas on good filters and other suggestions on this topic, help us all by sharing.

Katie Hinderer, a freelance writer and social media enthusiast writes,

 ”I think a large part of the movement’s growth is due to the use of social media and the determination of several outspoken and creative young people. Last summer I had the privilege to meet Lila Rose, the courageous and tenacious leader of Live Action. Honestly I have never met a young woman who was so well spoken, articulate and convincing. She is entirely behind ending abortion in this country and she won’t stop until she sees that day come.

Lila’s group was the first to go undercover into Planned Parenthood clinics to uncover the unsafe and illegal practices. Since then, the group, run almost entirely by young professionals and college students, has taken the internet by storm and given many like-minded young people a place to communicate and become empowered.

The group continues to investigate Planned Parenthood and, more importantly, push for an end to abortion. It offers resources so that all young people can know the facts about abortion. Its Facebook group has more than 250,000 likes and its Twitter account has about 6,100 followers. It’s YouTube videos have been viewed almost 3 million times.

And if Live Action and its followers weren’t enough proof, all you need to do today is open your Facebook page and read through the newsfeed. Mine is filled with prolife statements and links. Things like:

• ‘It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.’ – Mother Teresa
• ‘A person’s a person no matter how small.’ Let’s END Abortion.
• ‘The care of human life and happiness and not their destruction is the first and only legitimate object of good government.’ – Thomas Jefferson.
• Saving babies, one cheer at a time along with thousands of others!!! – at Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
• ‘He who denies that human life begins with conception does not need to contend with religion, but science. To deny this certainty of biology is not to express a lack of faith, but a lack of basic knowledge of human genetics, something that is even known by the general public.’
• ‘I’ve noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born.’- Ronald Reagan
• ‘There are two victims in every abortion: a dead baby and a dead conscience.” – Mother Teresa
• I’m pro-life because I’m pro-woman.
• Attended the March for Life today with an inspiring, passionate group of men from Gonzaga. So proud to be here.

It gives me hope to see so many people, especially so many young people, standing up for life from conception to natural death. It gives me peace to see that this is a fight we are entering proudly and determinedly. And it gives me courage to speak out more often in defense of human life.”

FCC v. Fox is being hailed by many as the most important case to come before the Supreme Court since 1978.  The case addresses a question of utility: Is it still desirable for the FCC to regulate the content on U.S. airwaves?  The answer is a resounding “no”.  Many who know me would be surprised at my answer, based on my socio-political-religious views and affiliations.  However, solid reasons form a sound argument for leaving the FCC out of the question of the content of our airwaves.

In 2001, I moved to Phoenix, AZ.  I made a conscious choice to stop watching television, as I was occupied studying for the CPA exam, and I knew that did not need any distractions.  About six months later, while visiting home, I was with some friends who decided to watch an episode of Seinfeld.  While I had never followed Seinfeld with any regularity, I had enjoyed it on occasion.  Whether my absence from television had cultivated within me a greater sensitivity to vulgarity, or whether the Seinfeld’s content had deteriorated a measurable amount in my short absence, I do not know, nor do I recall what content was particularly offensive.  I do recall, however, being shocked at what was allowed on television.

I kept off the television scene, partly due to my experience at home, but even more so because I rejoiced at the increased productivity and greater quality of life I enjoyed in consequence of abstaining from mindless television shows.  Occasionally, though, at a family member’s or friend’s house, I will catch a bit of a sitcom, and find myself in a much greater state of shock than I experienced in 2001.

The point is this: We are already saying bad things on television, and we are already dressing skimpily, and we deceive ourselves in assuming that we maintain some modicum of decency by merely shunning a handful of words that burn our ears.  We strain at gnats and swallow camels.

So parents, what do you think?  Do you agree with Gary?    If so, are you willing to remove TV, completely, from your home?

You might be interested in answering UFI’s poll question of the week.  You can do so by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom of the page where you’ll find the poll on the right.

“If the U.S. Supreme Court rules that the FCC cannot police the airways for indecency, are you prepared to completely prohibit TV viewing in your home?”     Go here to respond.

The largest and original “March for Life” will be held on Monday of this year (January 23, 2012).  If you live in the Washington DC area, you’ll want to part of this awe inspiring march.  Click here for a schedule of events.  Many states and large cities host one as well.  Google “Right to life” in your state to get specifics.

We wanted to share with you a great video created by Students for Life as part of their “Turn the Tide 2012” Campaign.  The video brings forward the faces and voices of those who have been impacted by the scourge of abortion.  Most importantly, it shows how the pro-life movement is slowly but surely winning the abortion battle.

Here’s the question we asked our readers:

“Is it helpful to the pro-life cause to run graphic pro-life ads during events like the Superbowl?”

Here’s how they responded:

52 Percent                   Yes

23 Percent                   No

25 Percent                   Can’t decide

OK – I admit it, I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook. I can’t imagine that I am the only one out there who feels this way. As I have gathered many friends from the seven states I have lived in, I am beyond thrilled to have a ‘one stop shop’ to catch up with all of my friends. I have been able to reconnect and hear about the latest updates, whether a birth, marriage, death, or perhaps just a recent family outing. Facebook also provides the opportunity for open dialogue to take place about current events or social issues.  It is interesting for me to learn more about my friend’s views, and I have the opportunity to share my thoughts and beliefs.

Unfortunately, though, all is not well in Facebook land.  This past week I was unpleasantly surprised to view an indecent picture that a childhood friend had posted for all to see. As most of us are aware, pornography on Facebook has become a serious issue, and it can appear unexpectedly by a Facebook friend. I honestly did not believe that one of my friends would post something like that – but I was wrong.

The story does not end with pornography. Did you know that is has been reported:

Facebook is cited in 1 out of every 5 divorces in the United States, according to the Loyola University Health System. Furthermore, 81 percent of the country’s top divorce attorneys say they have seen an increase in the number of cases using social networking evidence during the past five years, according to a recent survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). Last but not least, Facebook is the unrivaled leader for online divorce evidence with 66 percent citing it as the primary source, the AAML said.

So, do we do ‘an all or nothing’ approach and be forced to give up all that is good on Facebook?

I say no! – but we have to be smart about it.  Here are four recommended ideas to keep a family-friendly Facebook page:

1. The first step should be the advice given by some religious leaders and counselors, and that is to use your computers in open spaces.  If computers are used with other people around, you will be less likely to say or do inappropriate things.
2. Let someone else that you trust, such as a spouse, parent, or friend know your sign on and password. In my case, my husband can access my account.  Unfortunately, we are all human and can be tempted to make wrong choices once in a while. My marriage and belief in family values is important to me; so I want to put safeguards in place.
3. ‘Unfriend’ any of your friends that post inappropriate items that are not conducive to a family-friendly Facebook page.
4. Only allow your children on Facebook if you are one of their friends and can see their Facebook page.

In the case of my childhood friend posting an indecent picture, I sent him a message that said that I needed to ‘unfriend’ him because my goal is to have a family-friendly Facebook page that anyone in my family could view, and explained to him that the picture he posted was offensive to me. I wished him the best with his future and then ‘unfriended’ him.  Even though our friendship goes back for decades, I expected that he would be upset, not respond, and we would go our separate ways.

Two days later though I received a message back apologizing for posting the indecent picture and said that he had thought long and hard about his actions and realized that he had been caught up in what society thought was cool and acceptable. He thanked me for sharing my feelings and went on his Facebook page and apologized to all of his contacts for the offensive material and promised to keep a family-friendly page. He also mentioned that my comments made him think more about the example he wants to set for his own children and evaluated the man he really wants to be.

Now, I imagine that all stories wouldn’t turn out quite like this as some friends would get upset and never correspond again. To me, though, it is worth the chance. I am pleased with the outcome and that he respected me enough to value my opinion. I think much of the society gets caught up in the acceptance of pornography that they forget that it is not only unacceptable- but it tears families apart and degrades women.  If we don’t speak up against it – then who will?

Click here to see some sobering pornography statistics.

Take a look at these two pro-life ads.  They have almost identical wording and images, but the impact is quite different.  We do not mean to denigrate the efforts of the Wisconsin pro-life organization Bay Area Pregnancy Services, but by several media accounts their billboard created controversy and some confusion as to whether or not the ad was actually meant to encourage women to avoid abortion or to have an abortion.

Now take a look at the ad piece below.

Now that is some great “messaging!”  We could not locate what entity created the piece, but we’d like to give credit. Contact us if you know.

We, who have worked in the pro-life community for years (like decades!), are way behind in our understanding of popular culture and what has appeal.  We need your help – all you hip and cool young people, get involved.  Put your creativity to work!  It is essential that the pro-life community gets the message right – lives depend on it.

The appellate court logically said, “The State’s interest in respect for life is advanced by the dialogue that better informs the political and legal systems, the medical profession, expectant mothers, and society as a whole of the consequences that follow from a decision to elect a late-term abortion.”

Texas’ new law not only requires doctors to conduct a sonogram before performing an abortion, showing the woman the image of her unborn child, but they also play the fetal heartbeat aloud and describe the features of the fetus at least 24 hours before the abortion.

Lawmakers in favor of the bill say it merely allows women to make a more informed decision, and that heart sounds and sonogram are “educational aides.”

Opponents argue that women deciding to undergo an abortion do so with much thought and serious reflection. Perhaps, but statistics  show that many women use abortion as their form of birth control.  When four, five, and six abortions are performed on the same woman, what else can it be called?

We at United Families International hope that Texas will lead the charge on this battlefront.  What a sweet victory!