Condom on Mall staircase

I know I wrote about prevention, but this is not quite what I expected. It has been said that you have to be careful what you asked for.

My son and I were perusing the Macon Mall last night in search of warm clothes for his ride today on a float in a Christmas Parade. Normally I would have parked at Sears, went in, made my purchases and left. I am not a "walk all over the mall shopping" type of person anymore, especially with a kid in tow who asks for every Batman, Transformers, and Star Wars toy he sees. But since Dad was at work and niece at a sleepover, it was excellent oppportunity for mom and son time. He hasn't had much of that in a long time.

I did park near Sears expecting it would be where I would make my purchases. We walked from that end to the other visiting several clothing stores. Noticing the Steve & Barry Going Out of Business sale and many other shops that have closed since my last visit was the first disturbing revelation. As we approached Dillard's became aware that store was closing also for it had already opened a new store across town. The upper floor in the two-story mall had been sealed closed. Only the lower floor allowed entrance. Having no nearby escalator, the 6-ft wide staircase was the only option to descend to the lower level. At approximately the 6th step down, I almost stepped on the item pictured above. Thankfully son was to my right using the banister. Coincidentally, son was concerned with a painful substance that suddenly appeared in this shoe. He did not notice I had stopped to take the picture.

What puzzles the mind is where did this encounter occur and how did the paraphernalia get discarded in the middle of a staircase in the middle of the mall, appearing to be freshly used?

four pregnancies in three years?

Age 16, pregnant, but "claimed" it was false positive
Age 17, pregnant, but "claimed" miscarriage
Age 18, pregnant, but "claimed" stillborn (possible hoax)
Age 19, pregnant, allegedly

How can we get through to our young women that this is not good?
The ramifications on their health, mental and physical, can be tremendous and irreversable.

It's hard to teach prevention when they are not in your home and under your care. Surrounding influences is master.

pro-life...pro-choice...how about prohibition

For years I have had issues with many Pro-life/Pro-Choice demonstrations. Floating signs, chants, marches, and even violence. Why not deal with the cause of the pregnancies in question?

resulting from assault:
How about free anonymous counseling for individuals to deal with the desires/urges of physical abuse? There should be a focus on rehabilitation rather than increased incarceration of offenders. What solution does just time give?
Eliminate the assault, eliminates the result.

resulting from underage ignorance:
Parents, I mean real ones, even though you may think that your teen, or even, pre-teen child is not old enough to know how babies are made really made, wake up!!! Talk to them. They may know more than you think. It is better for you to tell them rather than letting them learn from experimentation.
Teach your child that actions have consequences. Let your child know that what he/she does can have an affect on the rest of their lives.
Also parents, remember actions speak louder than words. If your child knows you are running through many men/women/both, they will think it is ok for them to do the same. How can you tell them different. You are their most influential teacher.

resulting from adult stupidity:
Now there is only one form of contraceptive that is 100%. For all others, there is a chance of failure. If you are not willing or capable of dealing with a pregnancy, mentally, physically, financially, or socially, don't do the deed.
If a contraceptive labeling states 99.99% prevention, that only means that if used according to their testing, it should work, but if it does fail, the manufacturer can't be blamed.

Condoms burst, pills reduced effectiveness by antibiotics, depo shots 3% failure first year, lost IUD (yeah that's me, but no pregnancy Thank God)...things happen
If a method fails for you, why continue to use it? I've known several women who have multiple conceptions while on the shot. Why continue to rely on it? Why not use a backup method?

I am not claiming to be perfect. I just feel more thought, research, and action need to be taken for all of us.

What are your thoughts?