Replies to '04/07 Social Taboos: Is This Normal?'

Though I understand your outrage, I think there is a reason Dr. Phil did not confront Margaret. Did you notice her little sneers and self-satisfied smirks? She was spoiling for him to confront  her, as she obviously believes  she knows more than Dr. Phil. If he had, it would have been extremely ugly and she wouldn't have listened. She is closed off against anyone who disagrees with her view. It would have been a waste of time and breathe. Dr. Phil seemed to understand that and tried to work around it in a logical fashion, blocking her in with her own history. She won't admit it, but she got what he was saying.  Dr. Phil's expressions didn't convey any sympathy for her or her girlfriend.  

Why give Margaret and her large girlfriend the fight they want?  I think it would have become a screaming fest with Margaret. She is seething with anger and hatred - its apparent to anyone who looks beyond her mask. She is a rebellious child who is searching for something and acting out. I worked with teenage girls that acted just like her, all of them had been sexually and/or emotionally abused. Makes me wonder about her past...what happened to make her this way? 

Don't get me wrong, as a mother her behavior made my stomach sick. She is juvenile in her approach to sex and there is no doubt she is destroying those kids chances for a normal life - sexual and otherwise. I've seen what this type of "openess" does to children and she will come to regret it - though it will be too late for the kids. But you won't get her to understand by getting in her face. Thats exactly what she expects from people. I think logical, factual evidence and discussion is the only way she will begin to see reality.  

As for CPS, remember they watch his show, too. If they suspect mental and emotional abuse (as is obvious from margaret's own comments), they will have to decide to act. They don't need Dr. Phil to call and tell them. The emotional rape of those children was quite obvious. 

Unfortunately, there are a lot of immature parents like Margaret out there. I felt for those poor children and the life they will lead. Their confusion about sex will lead to exactly what she doesn't want, a pregnant teenager. She seems to forget that condoms don't work that well  and the pill is only effective when you take it every day and even then, there are instances when it fails. I don't believe abstinance from anything is in Margaret's vocabulary.