Renewing the Family and Defending Life

WHEN I WAS 10!

When I got into Grade 5, at 10 years old, I moved schools. I was in Maria Montessori, and since my brother moved to the Ateneo, I moved there as well. It was such a big change for me. From a school system which encourages free learning - learning at your own pace - I moved into a very structured learning system. I had to wear a uniform, I had class schedules with set times, and these all affected me and my grades. My grades dipped, I didn't want to socialize and I always wondered why I had to move to the Ateneo. I eventually got the hang of things (after having grades in the 60s and 70s), and was able to recover.

Things were so much more simple in 1985.

Now, there is a chance for 10 year old kids - grade 5 students - to not only deal with studies, classmates, family, changes, failing grades, but to deal with things unheard of at my time. Now, they have the chance to go to 7-11 and see couples choose which flavored condom they want - banana or orange. Now, they have the chance to turn on the TV and see commercials that ask them if they "are ready" to have sex. Now, they have the chance to watch TV shows (Betty La Fea Manila Version, in particular) with pictures on the wall saying "Girls Night Out" and a row of condoms beneath. Now, they have the chance to learn about sex, abortion, AIDS, HIV in school by people who are not related to them. Now, 10 year old kids have the chance to be 25 years old.

I stopped and thought. When I was 10, would I want all this in my brain and on my shoulders? Aside from all the things that come with being 10 (like playing, climbing trees, having fun), would I want to sit in a class and listen to someone tell me about sex, condoms and abortion? Would I want to watch my favorite cartoon and see commercials with scantily clad women pushing sex to their boyfriends?

NO!

And I don't think you'd want that for your ten year olds either. Let them be 10 years old. Let them be curious, without us fearing for what they will find. Let them be pure, just as they should be.

Contributed by:

F. Xavier X. S. Padilla
Missionary