I was most disappointed recently when I attended a fundraising dinner. The occasion itself was very enjoyable but we took great exception to what the speakers had to say.
Of course, we were quite happy that they want to look after mothers-to-be in Africa and ensure that the babies get first class health care. But I do not think that giving teenagers contraceptives is going to help their lives one little bit. It will only produce more teenage mothers and I know enough about them as I look after some.
These girls have really lost out on life and the baby has robbed them of their youth. Yes, they love the baby and look after it well, but all that should have come later when the right partner would have been chosen, one's financial situation would be better and maturity would have set in.
At the dinner I heard some terrifying statistics. But should we not teach teenagers respect and responsibility instead of offering them contraception? Have we no faith in them?
It is true that the media have tried their best to teach them the opposite of what we would like them to know through all the filth available electronically. But that is why we must show them that the way to lasting relationships is self-control in the teen years. Why risk having a baby when you cannot even afford nappies?
Leave sex till later; concentrate on getting your life together first. I am sure my generation were all sexually normal and had the same feelings as young people do today but we firstly respected ourselves and would not give our virginity away except when we got married. How much simpler life would be if we taught youngsters this message!
An African woman called Eme Oduor, quoted by Zenit, had this to say: "I am a Kenyan woman, a teacher, wife and mother. I fully support the Pope's message that condoms are not the solution to HIV/Aids. With the promotion of condoms in my country HIV/Aids has only got worse. Other governments and organisations just talk for their own political correctness, hidden agenda and to defend the myths they hold in their heads about Africans". That is straight from the heart of Africa!
Another bee in my bonnet is the rising number of "unknown fathers" in Malta. Many girls say they do not know who the father of their child is, so that they can receive their social benefit. What a farce - were they asleep? I would tell the girl that unless she says who the father is she will not receive a cent. This would quickly make her name the father, who would then be asked to support the girl financially and not leave it all to the State.
In America they are trying to introduce the Silver Ring which a girl wears to signify her promise to refrain from sex before marriage. It is actually catching on. They also have abstinence kits to teach the young how to behave. So they must have realised at last that contraceptives don't help and are going back to basics.
The more contraceptives are used the smaller our families are getting and soon we will not be able to support our cultures. Getting married late, thanks to being able to use contraceptives, means less fertility time, fewer children and you are older as they grow up.
All our generation want for our grandchildren is a healthy and happy life and that is why we advocate a different attitude towards their sex lives. Let us not worry about what Europe is saying and have the courage of our convictions. After all, is Europe any happier as a result of so-called progress or are there more separated families and unhappy, lonely people?