Recently there was a news report out of Chicago that was very disturbing to me. It was reported there was a high school where out of eight hundred students – roughly 120 of these students were pregnant or already young mothers. That is a staggering number and one that should be cause for alarm. Part of the issue for many girls is that old standard – looking for love and acceptance in all the wrong places.

This had me think about how important a Father’s role is to a young girl. When my father and mother split up when I was young, he also split up with me and was never a part of my life. Like so many young girls, I was forced to figure out things on my own. What a difference a male presence could have made! This was a recent topic on my blog talk radio show – http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Girls-Plan where my guest and I discussed some things a Dad should tell their daughter:

• A Father is the first man you fall in love with. With his absence, that vital part of your heart is usually given to the first boy who makes you feel special and wanted.
• Check out the family life of the guy you are interested in. If he comes from a home without a male presence, where is he getting his information from? Who is teaching him how to treat you? If it is just his friends – RUN do not walk away. Hopefully, he has a covering where there is a community of people and extended family members available to support him and make him accountable.
• What are you passionate about? What are your career aspirations? Now think about having to put all of this on hold to raise a child.
• Get involved in Church, a youth organization, or someplace where people care and will mentor you. At this stage of your development it is important to have this type of covering where someone will have your back and keep you accountable.
• You have your whole life ahead of you – so what are you going to do with it? The person without a plan – plans to fail. High school is only four years out of your entire life so you have to learn to plan for your future now.

Ladies you have to learn to love yourselves. If your Dad left your life on his own free will, it is his loss and you did nothing wrong. Find yourself a mentor – someone who can give you wisdom and support you. Watch your circle of friends – only hang out with people who are going places and have plans. To the Adult community - get involved with organizations like Girls Plan where you can touch the lives of these girls. Volunteer at schools and youth groups. Reach back and get involved. We have a generation of babies raising babies. It is time we start to end this cycle.

Until next time,

Nishaline

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Nishaline Hines, Girls Plan Founder & Executive Director, started Girls Plan in 2004 to reach young women and empower them with information before they make decisions that affect the rest of their lives. A graduate of Liberty University, Nishaline is a native of New York with an extensive background in business management and corporate training. As a Lay Minister and Leader, certified through Beacon University, her education and work experiences are used to enhance each Girls Plan workshop. Her early childhood instruction and mentoring experience serves Nishaline well in reaching young women from all backgrounds. To schedule speaking engagements or for more information, visit http://www.girlsplan.org.