>Okay, I guess I'm going to be the dissenting voice here.

And me, Teresa.

We have had similar programmes here - and the UK has the dubious
distinction of having the highest teen pregnancy rate in Europe.  Much
wringing of hands every couple of months by government and so on...to no
avail.

I have never seen any decent evaluation of the dolls (ie do they, or do
they not, increase or decrease the teen pregnancy rate?)

I agree that the presentation of babies as a burden and a chore is
artificial and not very pleasant.  It could also work against bf, and is in
any case it does not offer a very positive case for it.

Yes, many teens do have a starry-eyed view of babies and motherhood. So do
many older women. So what?

The reasons why teens become pregnant are far, far more complex....often,
it's to do with self-esteem, poor life choices and prospects, their own
mothering, sheer recklessness, a mistake, poor judgement....do we really
think 24 hours with a doll can combat all of that? Or even any of it?

Sorry - off-topic.

Heather Welford neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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