Jeb Bush In 1995: Unwed Mothers Should Be Publicly Shamed

[Darmosiel]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/09/jeb-bush-1995-book_n_7542964.html

http://images.dailykos.com/images/159391/small/jeb-bush-frown.jpg?1439685855

It was called: The Scarlet Letter Law http://www.salon.com/2015/06/10/jeb_bush_is_a_compassionless_conservative_his_scar let_letter_law_was_even_worse_than_it_sounds/


Public shaming would be an effective way to regulate the “irresponsible behavior” of unwed mothers, misbehaving teenagers and welfare recipients, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) argued in his 1995 book Profiles in Character.


In a chapter called "The Restoration of Shame,” the likely 2016 presidential candidate made the case that restoring the art of public humiliation could help prevent pregnancies “out of wedlock.”




One of the reasons more young women are giving birth out of wedlock and more young men are walking away from their paternal obligations is that there is no longer a stigma attached to this behavior, no reason to feel shame. Many of these young women and young men look around and see their friends engaged in the same irresponsible conduct. Their parents and neighbors have become ineffective at attaching some sense of ridicule to this behavior. There was a time when neighbors and communities would frown on out of wedlock births and when public condemnation was enough of a stimulus for one to be careful.

Bush points to Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter, in which the main character is forced to wear a large red "A" for "adulterer" on her clothes to punish her for having an extramarital affair that produced a child, as an early model for his worldview. "Infamous shotgun weddings and Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter are reminders that public condemnation of irresponsible sexual behavior has strong historical roots,” Bush wrote.


As governor of Florida in 2001, Bush had the opportunity to test his theory on public shaming. He declined to veto a very controversial bill that required single mothers who did not know the identity of the father to publish their sexual histories in a newspaper before they could legally put their babies up for adoption.

He later signed a repeal of the so-called "Scarlet Letter" law (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/31/us/florida-scarlet-letter-law-is-repealed-by-gov-bush.html) in 2003 after it was successfully challenged in court.


Bush's ideas about public shaming extended beyond unwed parents. He said American schools and the welfare system could use a healthy dose of shame as well. “For many, it is more shameful to work than to take public assistance -- that is how backward shame has become!” he wrote, adding that the juvenile criminal justice system also "seems to be lacking in humiliation."



In the context of present-day society we need to make kids feel shame before their friends rather than their family. The Miami Herald columnist Robert Steinback has a good idea. He suggests dressing these juveniles in frilly pink jumpsuits and making them sweep the streets of their own neighborhoods! Would these kids be so cavalier then?

It's worth pointing out that the kind of public shaming Bush described has come under fire recently (http://www.refinery29.com/2015/06/88665/girl-suicide-social-media-shaming) in response to the growing trend of parents humiliating their children on social media to punish them. A 13-year-old girl died by suicide (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/izabel-laxamana-girl-takes-life-5839048) last month after her father posted a video of himself cutting off her long hair on YouTube because she had disobeyed him.
YouTube and social media, of course, did not exist when Bush wrote his book in 1995. But the former governor makes clear that "society needs to relearn the art of public and private disapproval and how to make those to engage in some undesirable behavior feel some sense of shame."


Bush did not respond to a request for comment.


UPDATE: 6/10 -- Steinback, the former Miami Herald columnist, told HuffPost that "until today, I was unaware that Governor Bush had cited my column on public shaming of juvenile criminal offenders in his 1995 book."


"My column made reference only to young offenders who often harbor a mistaken romance about jail and prison, and might consider incarceration a perverse badge of honor," he said. "I suggested that sentencing them to wear frilly pink jumpsuits and performing a public duty such as street sweeping in their own neighborhood might serve as more of a deterrent than jail time. I made no mention of using such a tactic with unwed pregnant teens. In fact, I would consider such a policy utterly horrific. Pregnancy is not and should never be treated as a crime. Unwed girls in such circumstances are most likely experiencing considerable personal and psychological stress and anxiety that would only be exacerbated by shaming them publicly."

[Mac-7]

One of the reasons more young women are giving birth out of wedlock and more young men are walking away from their paternal obligations is that there is no longer a stigma attached to this behavior, no reason to feel shame.

The Teletubby Bush is 100% correct.

[Mister D]

The Teletubby Bush is 100% correct.

Isn't that obvious?

[Mister D]

In fact, the point of a social stigma is to discourage certain behaviors.

[Mac-7]

Isn't that obvious?

Not to liberals.

[Peter1469]

We had mothers of girls in my High School who refused their daughters public baby showers. They still loved them, and had private parties. It just was not socially acceptable then.

[Howey]

We had mothers of girls in my High School who refused their daughters public baby showers. They still loved them, and had private parties. It just was not socially acceptable then.

Welcome to the 21st century!

[Darmosiel]

The Teletubby Bush is 100% correct.

And the reason this shaming law was found to be unconstitutional and a violation of civil liberties is lost on you.

Also, that a young woman who was shamed publicly committed suicide...
but that's ok with chuckleheads like you also.

Along with no mention of the father's sexual history being published...

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/31/us/florida-scarlet-letter-law-is-repealed-by-gov-bush.html

''Only a male-dominated legislature could possibly pass a law that facilitates adoptions by requiring public humiliation of women,'' Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said.


''You've got to have a real narrow vision to congratulate the governor for signing a repeal of a statute that, as a result of a lawsuit we were involved in, the courts struck down as unconstitutional,'' he said. ''The legislature shouldn't have passed it in the first place.''


A judge in Palm Beach County Circuit Court ruled last year that requiring rape victims to publicize their names and sexual histories was an unconstitutional violation of privacy. And last month, a state appeals court ruled that it was also unconstitutional for the state to require women and under-age girls to disclose their sexual histories even in cases of consensual sex.


The Scarlet Letter law required women to run advertisements disclosing their names, ages, height, hair and eye color, race and weight as well as the child's name and birthplace and a description of the possible father.


It also required the women to provide details of the dates and places of sexual encounters that might have produced the child. Women were required to run the advertisements once a week for a month in the community where the child may have been conceived.


The publication requirement, which took effect in October 2001, was criticized by women's groups in Florida and nationally as draconian and humiliating.

[Mac-7]

And the reason this shaming law was found to be unconstitutional and a violation of civil liberties is lost on you.

Also, that a young woman who was shamed publicly committed suicide...
but that's ok with chuckleheads like you also.

Along with no mention of the father's sexual history being published...

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/31/us/florida-scarlet-letter-law-is-repealed-by-gov-bush.html

''Only a male-dominated legislature could possibly pass a law that facilitates adoptions by requiring public humiliation of women,'' Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said.


''You've got to have a real narrow vision to congratulate the governor for signing a repeal of a statute that, as a result of a lawsuit we were involved in, the courts struck down as unconstitutional,'' he said. ''The legislature shouldn't have passed it in the first place.''


A judge in Palm Beach County Circuit Court ruled last year that requiring rape victims to publicize their names and sexual histories was an unconstitutional violation of privacy. And last month, a state appeals court ruled that it was also unconstitutional for the state to require women and under-age girls to disclose their sexual histories even in cases of consensual sex.


The Scarlet Letter law required women to run advertisements disclosing their names, ages, height, hair and eye color, race and weight as well as the child's name and birthplace and a description of the possible father.


It also required the women to provide details of the dates and places of sexual encounters that might have produced the child. Women were required to run the advertisements once a week for a month in the community where the child may have been conceived.


The publication requirement, which took effect in October 2001, was criticized by women's groups in Florida and nationally as draconian and humiliating.

More sex between teenagers results in more unwed mothers, more children without fathers born into a life of poverty and crime.

If making girls and boys experience condemnation and shame avoids some of that society is better off.

[Darmosiel]

More sex between teenagers results in more unwed mothers, more children without fathers born into a life of poverty and crime.

If making girls and boys experience condemnation and shame avoids some of that society is better off.

The law also included women that were raped.

Beyond that posting personal information in a public format is a violation of civil rights.

It never ceases to amaze me how little regard Conservatives have for civil rights.

[Howey]

More sex between teenagers results in more unwed mothers, more children without fathers born into a life of poverty and crime.

If making girls and boys experience condemnation and shame avoids some of that society is better off.


Or they could be taught proper contraception by their lazy parents.

[Mac-7]

Or they could be taught proper contraception by their lazy parents.

Most kids know what to do.

But those unwed teen mothers and abortions performed by planned parenthood show that kids don't always use protection.

[whatukno]

Most kids know what to do.

But those unwed teen mothers and abortions performed by planned parenthood show that kids don't always use protection.

Like Bristol Palin?

[PolWatch]

I think all males found to be fathers of illegitimate babies should be sterilized. Share the responsibility.

[Mac-7]

Like Bristol Palin?

Yes.

if that is supposed to put me on the defensive it failed.

Her story reminds us that the only sure way to prevent pregnancy is abstinence.

[Captain Obvious]

Clearly the OP is a smear piece and I have no love for the wafflemaster but I don't know shaming is the right way to socially deal with this stuff.

Not accepting it as a norm is IMO. There is a difference.

[Howey]

Yes.

if that is supposed to put me on the defensive it failed.

Her story reminds us that the only sure way to prevent pregnancy is abstinence.

Which she preached.

[Peter1469]

Clearly the OP is a smear piece and I have no love for the wafflemaster but I don't know shaming is the right way to socially deal with this stuff.

Not accepting it as a norm is IMO. There is a difference.

Shamming is too far. Forgoing public approval seems reasonable.

[whatukno]

Yes.

if that is supposed to put me on the defensive it failed.

Her story reminds us that the only sure way to prevent pregnancy is abstinence.

LMAO! She went around the country and did paid speaking engagements for abstinence! Hell, she made over 300 grand for those speeches!

THEN GOT PREGNANT OUT OF WEDLOCK AGAIN!

[Howey]

Most kids know what to do.

But those unwed teen mothers and abortions performed by planned parenthood show that kids don't always use protection.

They know to stick something in something. They don't know the ramifications because their idiot parents think abstinence is the only answer.

[Captain Obvious]

Yes.

if that is supposed to put me on the defensive it failed.

Her story reminds us that the only sure way to prevent pregnancy is abstinence.

Your personality is probably the best form of birth control evah!

http://www.quickmeme.com/img/ad/adffe4bac88f8583d0fe6e788accff9352393b3d4d154b9513 d009aa208d988d.jpg http://www.quickmeme.com/img/ad/adffe4bac88f8583d0fe6e788accff9352393b3d4d154b9513 d009aa208d988d.jpghttp://www.quickmeme.com/img/ad/adffe4bac88f8583d0fe6e788accff9352393b3d4d154b9513 d009aa208d988d.jpg

[Mac-7]

I think liberal/progressive culture which dominates society will continue to bombard teens with the Have-More-Sex message so there will be no shaming in America ever again.

[Mac-7]

Your personality is probably the best form of birth control evah!

http://www.quickmeme.com/img/ad/adffe4bac88f8583d0fe6e788accff9352393b3d4d154b9513 d009aa208d988d.jpg http://www.quickmeme.com/img/ad/adffe4bac88f8583d0fe6e788accff9352393b3d4d154b9513 d009aa208d988d.jpghttp://www.quickmeme.com/img/ad/adffe4bac88f8583d0fe6e788accff9352393b3d4d154b9513 d009aa208d988d.jpg

At least I don't have to buy my sex at porn sites on the Internet like you do.

[whatukno]

At least I don't have to buy my sex at porn sites on the Internet like you do.

Yeah! He get's hookers like a man!

[Mac-7]

They know to stick something in something. They don't know the ramifications because their idiot parents think abstinence is the only answer.

Or their lib parents think teen sex is inevitable so why not just let their children run wild like they did.

[Captain Obvious]

http://images-cdn.9gag.com/photo/23257_700b.jpg

[Mac-7]

Yeah! He get's hookers like a man!

Ok, if you say so.

[AeonPax]

More sex between teenagers results in more unwed mothers, more children without fathers born into a life of poverty and crime. If making girls and boys experience condemnation and shame avoids some of that society is better off.
`
Keep up with the latest; Surprise! Unwed Birth Rates Are Going Down (http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2015/05/11/the_number_of_unwed_women_giving_birth_is_in_decli ne_not_that_you_d_know.html). And guess what? None of this is happened because of the right wing fanatics. Also, FYI, "Unwed" mothers is an aggregate number which includes women who have children with the common law partners.

[Captain Obvious]

`
Keep up with the latest; Surprise! Unwed Birth Rates Are Going Down (http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2015/05/11/the_number_of_unwed_women_giving_birth_is_in_decli ne_not_that_you_d_know.html). And guess what? None of this is happened because of the right wing fanatics. Also, FYI, "Unwed" mothers is an aggregate number which includes women who have children with the common law partners.

Studies are showing that if you teach kids to use protection, funny thing, they do.

Trying to teach kids not to have sex is like trying to teach the dog to stop shitting.

I never understood this douchebaggery. So tell kids they're going to burn in hell if they have sex before they get married, at the time where they're sexual nuclear warheads, and we wonder why divorce rates are off the charts.

Fucking stupid society we are.

[PolWatch]

Studies are showing that if you teach kids to use protection, funny thing, they do.

Trying to teach kids not to have sex is like trying to teach the dog to stop shitting.

I never understood this douchebaggery. So tell kids they're going to burn in hell if they have sex before they get married, at the time where they're sexual nuclear warheads, and we wonder why divorce rates are off the charts.

Fucking stupid society we are.

Let's all pretend that our children won't even think about having sex.....sounds like a plan to some.

[Mac-7]

`
Keep up with the latest; Surprise! Unwed Birth Rates Are Going Down (http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2015/05/11/the_number_of_unwed_women_giving_birth_is_in_decli ne_not_that_you_d_know.html). And guess what? None of this is happened because of the right wing fanatics. Also, FYI, "Unwed" mothers is an aggregate number which includes women who have children with the common law partners.

And STD's are rising.

Go figure.

http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/04/10/high-price-minorities-pay-when-it-comes-stds

[Mac-7]

Studies are showing that if you teach kids to use protection, funny thing, they do.

.

Yes, most of the time.

ALMOST every time.

Till they forget.

[AeonPax]

Or their lib parents think teen sex is inevitable so why not just let their children run wild like they did.


Yeah...those libs...... Bristol Palin Pregnant Again! She Admits She’ll Be An Unwed Mother Once More (http://radaronline.com/celebrity-news/bristol-palin-pregnant-again/)

[Captain Obvious]

Let's all pretend that our children won't even think about having sex.....sounds like a plan to some.

I was really close to my mom, she wasn't a prude. I was sexually active when I was 15 and she asked me if I was and I told her. She didn't get batshit crazy either, just told me to be careful.

[Captain Obvious]

Yes, most of the time.

ALMOST every time.

Till they forget.

Jealous?

[AeonPax]

And STD's are rising. Go figure. http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/04/10/high-price-minorities-pay-when-it-comes-stds (http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/04/10/high-price-minorities-pay-when-it-comes-stds)
`
What does that have to do with unwed mothers? I read the article and was struck by one of the basic tenets of conservatism, abstinence: "How Abstinence-Only Sex Ed Is Driving Up STD Rates (http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/04/03/how-abstinence-only-sex-ed-driving-std-rates)"

[Safety]

I was really close to my mom, she wasn't a prude. I was sexually active when I was 15 and she asked me if I was and I told her. She didn't get batshit crazy either, just told me to be careful.

She didn't tell you girls are the "debil" or not let you play foosball?


https://youtu.be/xlWgF8dqneg

[Mac-7]

Jealous?

Jealous of unmarried girls with std's or surprise pregnancy?

no.

[Captain Obvious]

She didn't tell you girls are the "debil" or not let you play foosball?


https://youtu.be/xlWgF8dqneg

No, but she did make a kick-ass grilled alligator tail.

[Mac-7]

`
What does that have to do with unwed mothers? I read the article and was struck by one of the basic tenets of conservatism, abstinence: "How Abstinence-Only Sex Ed Is Driving Up STD Rates (http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/04/03/how-abstinence-only-sex-ed-driving-std-rates)"

You don't need to remind me that pop culture of sex and drugs is drowning out all messages about morality or personal responsibility.

Chaos is winning.

[kilgram]

The law also included women that were raped.

Beyond that posting personal information in a public format is a violation of civil rights.

It never ceases to amaze me how little regard Conservatives have for civil rights.
Because it does not violate any natural rights. Only the natural rights must be respected :)

At least from their point of view :)

Liberty, freedom of women? What the hell are you talking.

For something conservative are known as reactionary. Many of them are showing it in this thread and I only read the five first comments :) (And I am not going to go further to don't get more disgusted with humanity).

[Darmosiel]

And STD's are rising.

Go figure.

http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/04/10/high-price-minorities-pay-when-it-comes-stds

And as States defund Planned Parenthood STDs, HIV and certain kinds of cancer
(ovarian and cervical) will also rise.

But as long as women are publicly disgraced for having sex...
the GOP (angry old white man's club) is happy.

[PolWatch]

Some people don't realize that the 97% of PP services are concerned with preventing abortions by birth control & general health services. They will figure it out eventually....won't make much difference then.

[Captain Obvious]

Some people don't realize that the 97% of PP services are concerned with preventing abortions by birth control & general health services. They will figure it out eventually....won't make much difference then.

I realize that which is why I'm not really don't support defunding it.

[Mac-7]

And as States defund Planned Parenthood STDs, HIV and certain kinds of cancer
(ovarian and cervical) will also rise.

But as long as women are publicly disgraced for having sex...
the GOP (angry old white man's club) is happy.

Unless ObamaCare is a total failure women can get screened for cancer at real hospitals using their health insurance.

[exotix]

In fact, the point of a social stigma is to discourage certain behaviors.Must've not worked so that's why they raised the stakes to legita-rape.

[Captain Obvious]

Unless ObamaCare is a total failure women can get screened for cancer at real hospitals using their health insurance.

No idea what your point is.

The ACA has nothing to do with that.

[exotix]

More sex between teenagers results in more unwed mothers, more children without fathers born into a life of poverty and crime.

If making girls and boys experience condemnation and shame avoids some of that society is better off.Most serial-killers experienced that shame.

[Mac-7]

No idea what your point is.

The ACA has nothing to do with that.

ObamaCare allows women to go to real hospitals for healthcare so abortion mills like planned parenthood are not essential.

[Captain Obvious]

ObamaCare allows women to go to real hospitals for healthcare so abortion mills like planned parenthood are not essential.

Amazing, great for women that they can now visit real hospitals finally.