We have an editorial running in Monday's paper about Fresno County's decision to eliminate a program that counsels siblings of teen parents.
Why is this kind of program worth saving? Because it is a one-on-one approach to teaching at-risk children that it's not normal or ideal to have babies when you still can't take care of yourself.
You might assume that younger siblings, seeing how having a baby at a young age can negatively affect an entire family, would think twice about having babies of their own. Studies have shown the opposite -- younger brothers and sisters are more likely to have children before they reach adulthood.
The cost factors of teen pregnancy are an immense burden for our state. But we can't forget that behind all the numbers are children having babies before they are ready -- or able -- to care for them. And that's a burden that we can't afford -- either as individuals or as a state -- to ignore.
The control of pregnancy and birth is a major problem in our society. We need the children to fuel all of our job needs, yet require them, of course, to be good citizens and employable.
Avoiding teenage pregnancies of those who aren't appropriate parents is a superb program that should be retained at almost all costs not only for the family, but for society as a whole.