No Girl Left Behind

[Sage Ninja]

http://nogirlleftbehind.99k.org/index.html

the answer to every girls spinster status. Seriously. This all seems a bit dated.

The Nature of the Crisis
At the beginning of this century, Christian parents had a dream. A dream that their sons and daughters would one day would stand and join hands with other parents' sons and daughters at the altar of matrimony. This dream was deeply rooted in the American dream. It was born from the Founders' desire to insure domestic tranquility, to promote the general welfare, and to create more perfect unions.


But this dream has still not come true. The hour has come, in which we must face the inconvenient truth of what is becoming known as "The Marriage Crisis." The crisis is this: There are young people of both genders who wish to be married and are not. (Why this is a crisis needs not be explained.)
Statistics prove the proportions of the crisis to involve "a surplus" and "a very large number" of people out-of-wedlock. Such numbers cannot be ignored, by many. And yet some refuse to see that there is a crisis at all. To those in doubt, consider these signs indicating an epidemic of singleness spreading out of control:

Many young women are sitting at home with brimming hopechests, waiting for young men who never come.
Many young men over age 20 are still not married, indicating that most young men are not interested in pursuing marriage.
Some girls are being asked for multiple times, while some are not being asked for at all.
Many young men seem to choose wives according to a different standard than many (overlooked) young ladies would like.
Some people are treated as more eligible than others, causing a sense of rejection and potential emotional injury.
It often seems that more young men are getting married than young women.
In short, the current courtship system is driven by a general unfairness, resulting in marriage only for a privileged few. But all of our children want to be married! Our daughters' hopechests are full, and our sons are making money. They are all very eligible -- yet they are becoming more single by the year. When in history have we ever seen people having such a hard time getting married? The natural little complications and risks associated with the marital process have escalated to the point of a national crisis. This crisis requires immediate and drastic action. Now is the time to act!

Every Girl's Right
All of our daughters are special. They have grown up knowing that they are precious flowers, worthy of knights in the shiniest armor, and expecting suitors and eventually marriage in God's perfect timing (or by the age of twenty, whichever came first). But something has gone terribly wrong! Our daughters are losing their dream, as they see some flowers get picked... and they themselves are being overlooked and left behind. Too many young men are seeing the value only in some girls, instead of the intrinsic value in every girl. Yes, some young women may lack the maturity, or personality, or attractiveness, or skills, of others, but they are all special and all deserve equal attention.


Most importantly: because marriage is the norm, all young women are naturally entitled to marriage. The denial of this right is an injustice; a wrong that must be righted. No girl should suffer the prospect of spinsterhood, simply because her qualities run too deep for anyone to see. No girl should have to fear that the problem is with her; she needs affirmation that the problem is with the leaders, the current courtship system, and the young men. No girl should be left behind, simply because others refused to take action.

It IS Time for Action
Bad things happen when good people do nothing. Fortunately for the futures of our children, there are things that can be done to stimulate the marriage economy! All we need is for everyone to come together and agree on a course of action. A few unobtrusive measures would need to be taken, to accelerate matters and provide incentives for greater activity, and to insure fair treatment and equal opportunities for everyone. We are sure that thinking people everywhere will agree that a some changes to our current, ineffective/failing, approach would be for the greater good.

[ooglafina]

Well, I qualify as a spinster most likely. They don't seem to calculate into their equation that most "spinsters" are that way by choice. I've been working in free legal clinic that deals mostly with divorce and family issues. And trust me, the things you hear will definitely make you think twice about marrying. At least without being really, really, really sure.

I don't get point 4 where they say that young men don't pick girls based on criteria that most girls would want. Well, boo hoo. It's up to them isn't it?

I'm from a Christian home school community and I can say with great certainty that we aren't all sitting around wringing our hands because nobody will marry us. We're off getting educations and jobs and if we're not married it's because we don't want to be.

[gobo]

Ooh, yay! More people thinking that America belongs to christianity. :roll:

[Candy Kappa]

life is not all about marrige, why not live a little. No one will find you inside your home, go out and party or join clubs. Find the man/woman yourself, bang her\his head and grag it home.

don't wait, live!

[discordiatookie]

Find the man/woman yourself, bang her\his head and grag it home.


Pretty sure that's illegal, bud.

[Candy Kappa]

Pretty sure that's illegal, bud.

caveman reference

[ToTheNines]

I don't get it... what do they want people to do about it?

[shuriken]

THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW! yeah I'm totally gonna go get myself some ice cream...
yeah this is just dumb. There is no need to force marriage upon people that do not WANT to get married. It is a right to get married as much as it is a right to not get married. I would rather live with my couple happily then marry someone and divorce them a year later you know? But seriously though, some people need to stop worrying about others and take care of themselves.

[Koi]

Most likely me, but what is wrong with being single? I swear the girls that hope for marriage are most likely very dependent, and need some self confidence.

That just makes me a little sad inside that people consider being single a problem.

[Leonardo Mystic]

I want to get married someday, but I'm not going to get married to just anyone. Until I find the one I'm looking for, I'll be remaining single. While I'm not exactly thrilled about it, it's a compromise that will make it worth the wait in the end.

[The Stryker]

http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww286/DiscoBryan/LQ.png

[Venom]

life is not all about marrige, why not live a little. No one will find you inside your home, go out and party or join clubs. Find the man/woman yourself, bang her\him hard and wake up groggy at home.

don't wait, live!

That's how I read initially read it. :P

[Candy Kappa]

That's how I read initially read it. :P

I like it :lol:

[BubblyShell22]

This is so stupid. Not everybody has to get married. Yes, it is a woman's right to get married, but maybe some people don't want it. Heck, I'm twenty-seven, and I'm not married yet. I'm just not ready, but I want to get married eventually. Right now, I'm happy being with my BF and spending time with him when I can. Even if I hadn't met him, it wouldn't be a big deal. I'd be happy either way.

[plastroncafe]

I love the URL alone: noGIRLleftbehind.
Not Woman, or Female. Girl.

That alone lets you know what the webmaster there thinks about women.

[Katie]

I want to get married someday, but I'm not going to get married to just anyone. Until I find the one I'm looking for, I'll be remaining single. While I'm not exactly thrilled about it, it's a compromise that will make it worth the wait in the end.

There's no such thing as the perfect man or woman (and I'm pretty sure Leonardo isn't springing to real life anytime soon....) anyone who thinks that if they are wait, some fairytale knight will show up needs to grow up.

What you can do is find someone great and realize that you don't need perfection to be happy. That's maturity for you.


also, I'm scared that the article implies that men over the age of 20 not being married is somehow a problem. Jesus.....really? some women are being asked multiple times and some aren't being asked? WTF? I'm terrified that there are people who actually follow this crap.



Edit: I read again. they should call this "The parents of Ugly Daughters support Group" 'cause that seems like what it's about. I believe they are pushing for arranged marriages


Edit again: the "solution" from their own website:




We present our proposed solution to the Marriage Crisis: the No Girl Left Behind initiative. No Girl Left Behind is designed to prevent oversights, injustice and discrimination, and to promote a stronger and more humane marriage economy. No more people out-of-marriage!

Rules must be Implemented

In matters of love, as in so many other arenas, the Free Market has failed. The unfairness of a capitalistic system, as applied to courtship, has hurt our children. It is a shame to this progressive nation -- the land of equality and opportunity for the little guy-- that in the year 2010, people are still being unfair. The time has come to build a brave new social world for our children. The time has come to to fight for the future of our posterity, and to fight for a posterity to give a future to. America's youth aren't getting any younger. It is time to give our children Prospects They Can Believe In.

To this point, different families in the courtship scene have been holding to different rules and standards than other families, creating a disorderly free-for-all. The wild west of our free market-based marriage system has bred too many options, too much chaos, and too much possibility for some people to fall through the cracks. No wonder we have such a mess on our hands! Young men are clearly not responsible enough, fathers not permissive enough, mothers not persuasive enough, and daughters not visible enough, on their own. No Girl Left Behind will emphasize the following points:

1. More Motivation for Courting

In order to see our young people striving as desperately for marriage as we would like, we need to ensure that they feel the pressure of the widespread marriage crisis as acutely as we do. On the flip side, we must also continually be impressing on them the personal duty they have to marry as soon as possible. Even after this current crisis is past, there is no reason to de-emphasize any of these points.

2. More Fairness in Choosing

Since many girls and young men have unfair advantages on the field, we must narrow these discrepancies somehow. To try to homogenize the personal character and upbringing of our young people goes against our recent homeschooling traditions, and is therefore far too difficult to attempt at the moment. However, we can and must get everyone onto the same page regarding our courtship formula. These rules must be universally held to for fairness to be achieved. Only then will our daughters be truly equal in the eyes of all young men, and all have a fair shot at being quickly chosen.

3. A Higher Authority to force Marriages

Of course, there are limits to the amount of motivation and fairness that young people will voluntarily adopt. Too many families have been raising too many children with too many different ideals and goals. At the end of the day, some individuals will need external pressure far greater than mere motivation.

If the parents will not enforce our goals, we must turn to our pastors, and if our pastors are not willing to take drastic measures, we will have to find even higher authorities that will. These are deperate times, and while this is the most contraversial aspect of No Girl Left behind, we are confident that eventually parents will come to realize that these wonderful ends do justify the slightly uncomfortable means.


They are proposing a Bill to congress; registration for everyone over 18 who isn't married; fines for guys over 18 who aren't married; quotas for marriages in states; harrassment of pastors, congress, and other elected officials; and gossiping openly about "what's wrong with So-and-so, why isn't he/she married". they are also advocating the creation of a "Department of Complaints" where you could vent about why your precious little suzie isn't getting enough attention from the boys......... LOL


Quotas:


To prevent any girl being left behind, no girl shall be asked for multiple times until each girl in her district has been asked for once. Every young lady asked shall be given 10 business days to respond (if she files late, it shall be assumed that she has accepted). If it is deemed that too many applications have been rejected, the young lady must wear a scarlet "P" to indicate to future suiters that she is picky.

To prevent some young people from attracting more attention than others, there shall be, A) Handicaps imposed on the unfairly advantaged, and B) Subsidies granted for the unfairly disadvantaged. (e.g. The inequitably attractive girls would be prohibited from wearing makeup; financially disadvantaged young men would be granted fiscal/fiduciary federal subsidies; etc.)

To prevent some families from spending more on their courtship campaigns (viz, travel opportunities, online exposure, social engagements, or wardrobe) than others can afford to, federally mandated courtship spending limits would be imposed on all campaigns. (These standardized requirements would be outlined on Form J2748B, copies to be submitted to the Marriage Bureau, all subject to random annual audits)

To prevent young men or ladies from forming unfairly high expectations for marriage applicants, the marital standards of parents, sons and daughters should be regulated, and an approved, standardized set of fairness guidelines shall be imposed. This would ensure a general leveling, prevent judgmental attitudes, and guarantee acceptance for everyone, down to the lowest common denominator.

[gobo]

Thanks for sorting out the highlights for us, Katie. I was done with it after the first paragraph. Now, I can see just how laughable this garbage is. Are we sure this isn't a publicity stunt by The Onion? :lol:

[ooglafina]

Legal implementation of courtship sounds like a waking nightmare to me. I had to sit through whole seminars about it in high school.

[plastroncafe]

I'm kind of curious when moderate Christians are going to publicly denounce the actions of their more lunatic fringe.

[Machias Banshee]

Wow... splinter groups like this kill me. A 'typical' christian (if you could call us that), aren't so... what's the word... eccentric, I guess. I wouldn't touch legal enforcement of marriage with a forty foot pole. Some people marry later on in life. Not everyone marries their high school sweetheart....

[Leonardo Mystic]

I want to get married someday, but I'm not going to get married to just anyone. Until I find the one I'm looking for, I'll be remaining single. While I'm not exactly thrilled about it, it's a compromise that will make it worth the wait in the end.
There's no such thing as the perfect man or woman (and I'm pretty sure Leonardo isn't springing to real life anytime soon....) anyone who thinks that if they are wait, some fairytale knight will show up needs to grow up.

What you can do is find someone great and realize that you don't need perfection to be happy. That's maturity for you.

Um, did I say that? No, I didn't. You assume too much. I do have priorities that I will not settle for anything less than them, but I'm not looking for perfection. What I am looking for is a good decent guy. I don't want some gangbanger, cheat at every turn, dishonorable, and wife-beater man.

Is that being immature? I don't think so. It's called being cautious so I don't end up as another divorce stastic or domestic abuse. I've seen too many marriages and relationships around me dissolve where the men show their true natures of being absolutely despicable. I'd like to save myself that trouble, thanks.

[Sage Ninja]

I think Katie's critique was refering to the mind set of the people who wrote the article being immature and narrow minded. Not you :)

[ToTheNines]

LXUSaVw3Mvk

[Candy Kappa]

that's one bizzare music video, the kid looks like he barely discovered the wonders of Pokèmon, the video looks like a Adam Sandler romantic comedy and the song is weird

[ooglafina]

Well, thankfully he'll be a has-been in a few years.

[Koi]

Would enforcing Christian couple, be another way of anti homosexuals? I mean a Christian couples would want male female coupling/arrangements. So it is kind of a way of weeding out those who are into the same sex in a way. In my humble opinion anyway....

[Candy Kappa]

do they want to give fines to guys over 18 and unmarried?

and registrate unmarried persons over 18


that's extreme

[gobo]

LXUSaVw3Mvk
I saw the Hershey bar and thought it was something funny. So, I hit play. ... Now, I wanna hit you. :evil: I've never scrambled so fast to shut down my browser.

[BubblyShell22]

I think all of this is just dumb. Why force people to get married? Isn't this supposed to be America where we're free to make our own choices?

[plastroncafe]

I think all of this is just dumb. Why force people to get married? Isn't this supposed to be America where we're free to make our own choices?

One would think.
But then again, the conservative movement in this country isn't exactly well-known for supporting the idea that people can, and should, make decisions on their own.

[Spitfire]

MjFzfT4TrZo

[BubblyShell22]

Yeah, this is turning into something a bit more extreme than that act though.

[Charlotte_Sometimes]

I personally don't believe in marrage. Seems it's just a somewhat legal method to own another human being like some kind of proporty.

It's incredibly dated and just not necessary anymore.

Real love is beyond legal contracts and shackles.

[***First of Two Latin Kings***]

I personally don't believe in marrage. Seems it's just a somewhat legal method to own another human being like some kind of property.

Well, that is the whole point of women in my humble opinion :tlol:

[The Stryker]

Well, that is the whole point of women in my humble opinion :tlol:

http://i41.tinypic.com/of4rp5.jpg

[plastroncafe]

I personally don't believe in marrage. Seems it's just a somewhat legal method to own another human being like some kind of proporty.

It's incredibly dated and just not necessary anymore.

Real love is beyond legal contracts and shackles.

You may not believe in marriage, but I assure you such a thing actually exists. I've seen it.

As for its necessity, clearly you've never been turned away from a hospital for not being the legal next of kin of your "lover". Or been denied health insurance. Or unable to adopt children. Or been denied survivor benefits.

Marriage is what we make it, and that doesn't have to be what it was.

[BubblyShell22]

Just because you're married, doesn't mean that you're someone's property. Marriage is about love and commitment and about being together. Yeah, it used to be that way, but it doesn't have to be that way now. All couples should have joint decisions and not have it be where the man makes a decision without consulting his wife. It does still happen sometimes, but not all the time.

[Storm Wolf]

As for its necessity, clearly you've never been turned away from a hospital for not being the legal next of kin of your "lover". Or been denied health insurance. Or unable to adopt children. Or been denied survivor benefits.

Marriage is what we make it, and that doesn't have to be what it was.

Marriage is essential in that way. Society/government (or whatever) hasn't yet acknowledged couples in any other term. Most (if not all) insurance will not cover your "significant other". Hospitals will not give you any information on your (boy/girl friends) condition. you have to be next of kin. Doctors even frown upon you being at an appointment if your a good "friend".

If you see marriage as "shackles" then you need to see the happier cooperating type of marriage. Marriages are no longer dealt with dowries and these days marriage is no longer considered you "owning" the person.

Marriage is no longer an arrangement (here in America anyways.). It's a personal choice. Sure....there are some women (men even) who desire to get married and don't, but i think general populace who don't get married just didn't want to. Nothing wrong with that.

All this about getting married before 20? WTH? some people don't even meet the person they want to marry until well after high school. Not a single guy i met in school I'd even invite to my birthday party....let alone marry.

If you ask me....the person who wrote this was a parent who was ticked off because little Suzie is 30 and still living with them. They haven't found a man to pawn her off on yet.... and if she gets to much older they have the fear of being stuck with her. :P

[Candy Kappa]

fun note on marriage.
In Norway a law was passed (some years ago) that you can only be married in two places, either in a church (or house of religion choice) and City hall. So no "at the sea" ceremony or other "magical" places.

My father fixed it when he and my step mother got married a couple of years a go: 10 min in city hall and then a family (unofficial) ceremony on a place that have some meaning for the family.

[Jelly Bean]

wow, my dad was just talking about this at the dinner table two nights ago. I think it's stupid, but he thinks it might be agood idea.

[gobo]

I think it's stupid
Close... It's actually ludicrous. This is like encouraging spousal abuse due to the pressure of needing to make a decision on who to spend the rest of your life tethered to just in order to avoid extra taxes.

[***First of Two Latin Kings***]

I haven't read everyone's comments on this, but when I see something like this coming from the "Christian" crowd is doesn't surprise me. I don't think that these people are crazy or even "stupid" per se, but what I think people here need to remember is that most Christians don't believe in evolution/natural selection and all that. In fact, Christian ideology is the polar opposite. If you look at it from a Darwinistic perspective, girls who are unattractive really have it the worst as far as a permanent pairing is concerned. You see quite a few guys who aren't all that with women who ARE, but you RARELY ever see a man who is super attractive with a woman who isn't. Why? Because when it comes to looking for someone to settle down with/make babies with, men are MUCH more concerned with physical beauty than anything else, whereas women look at the entire package-- intellect, sense of humor, ambition, etc. So a mediocre guy has a better chance of landing a hot chick than a mediocre chick does of landing a hot guy.

These people not only don't believe in Darwin's theories, but they seem to be trying to militantly combat them :tlol: I say good luck. If there's one thing this country no longer needs to worry about, it's the Christian minority.

[Powder]

When it comes to looking for someone to settle down with/make babies with, men are MUCH more concerned with physical beauty than anything else, whereas women look at the entire package-- intellect, sense of humor, ambition, etc. So a mediocre guy has a better chance of landing a hot chick than a mediocre chick does of landing a hot guy.


I've found it to be quite the opposite nowadays.

[ToTheNines]

I've found it to be quite the opposite nowadays.

Same here.

[***First of Two Latin Kings***]

Come on, guys. Women aren't NEARLY as shallow as we are when it comes to the physical.

[plastroncafe]

Social Darwinism has precious little to do with Darwin.

[gobo]

Women aren't NEARLY as shallow as we are when it comes to the physical.
Sorry, dude. Girls can be just as shallow as guys. But, if I find a physically attractive woman who is a total pain in the ass, it ain't happening. Do you really not agree with that statement? Guys may let the physical be the first impression for them, but who is going to settle for a coyote in fox's clothing?

[Ninjinister]

Come on, guys. Women aren't NEARLY as shallow as we are when it comes to the physical.

You don't know a lot of chicas.

[Powder]

Clearly CJJ has no idea what he's talking about and should have his keyboard rights revoked. :trazz:

[oldmanwinters]

Imma gonna take my one-shot observation at this and then pull a super peel-out ala Sonic CD.

As a student of American Christian religion (and an unashamed adherent), evangelicals of late have not been able to construct a consistent theory of church-state relations. On the one hand, most staunchly oppose a big government and federal regulation upon the individual state, local church, and personal levels. But, on the other hand, many of those same people believe particular policies should be legislated simply because they believe it will be in their best interests.

The NoGirlLeftBehind project isn't even on the radar of most evangelicals, from what I can tell. While a push for a legal definition of marriage is a hot issue for evangelicals, creating legal penalties for the unmarried would be a difficult (and almost impossible) sell among even the most conservative Christians.

[Cure]

Come on, guys. Women aren't NEARLY as shallow as we are when it comes to the physical.

Maybe, socialize more?

[BubblyShell22]

I think it goes both ways on shallowness and not just one way.

[Katie]

I kind of like that this thread has shifted a bit to the shallowness of people because I 100% believe that this was the root cause of the formation of this group.

Little Suzie was homeschooled and never got out and had normal socialization with her peers but had a crush on Tommy next door. She talked about him all the time and stared out the window at him and was devostated when Tommy was seen making out with that other girl who wears make up and has an unfair advantage over Suzie in both personality and looks. Suzie cried for days and days about how ugly she was and how everything her daddy had told her about how any guy would be lucky to have her was a big fat lie. In short, Suzie gets a dose of reality. Of course daddy gets upset and starts this fringe movement.


Both men and women are biologically programmed to seek out certain traits in a mate. Females are just as concerned about looks I assure you. (Looking for the square jaw, broad shoulders, even shape that suggests good genetics). But women also have a secondary set of biological programming that draws them to someone who is a good provider so we get hung up on earning potential and money and stuff.


Just like dudes go gaga over giant boobs and youthful looks (female traits that show fertility), girls got stuff they check out too. Don't think for a second that girls are any less shallow.

[BubblyShell22]

I definitely agree with that, Katie. And it definitely looks like the parents had issues with Suzie still being in their home and wanting to get rid of her.

[Sage Ninja]

pardon my ignorance but is "Suzie" some how synonymous of a plain chirstian girl that no one wants? LOL

[Candy Kappa]

pardon my ignorance but is "Suzie" some how synonymous of a plain chirstian girl that no one wants? LOL

I think Suzie is the female version of "Little Billy"... or something

[Katie]

pardon my ignorance but is "Suzie" some how synonymous of a plain chirstian girl that no one wants? LOL

I just feel better when it has a name. "Suzie" was a dog I knew once. Seemed fitting for my theory

[BubblyShell22]

I don't know of any Suzies like that, but it makes sense with the theory behind this. Poor girl isn't getting any male attention so let's make it mandatory for girls to get married so they can get husbands.

[Jelly Bean]

Little Suzie was homeschooled and never got out and had normal socialization with her peers but had a crush on Tommy next door. She talked about him all the time and stared out the window at him and was devostated when Tommy was seen making out with that other girl who wears make up and has an unfair advantage over Suzie in both personality and looks. Suzie cried for days and days about how ugly she was and how everything her daddy had told her about how any guy would be lucky to have her was a big fat lie. In short, Suzie gets a dose of reality. Of course daddy gets upset and starts this fringe movement.

I wish I could contribute more to this conversation but just curious why is it always assumed that if a girl is home schooled she is going to be ugly?

[愛]

I wish I could contribute more to this conversation but just curious why is it always assumed that if a girl is home schooled she is going to be ugly?

She never learns the concept of being socially accepted only by using makeup and other various vanity techniques, I guess.

[NameGoesHere1066]

She never learns the concept of being socially accepted only by using makeup and other various vanity techniques, I guess.

huh, I don't know. I don't think being home schooled or sheltered christain kid is automatically going be unattractive or lacking in social skills. When I was in middle school there was these two kids brother and sister in my home room that were home schooled up until 8th grade and nighther of them had any problem fitting in. The girl was actually very pretty too and a few boys liked her. Whats funny is that alot of the kids in my class would go to them for help with work because of what we were learning they already knew. :lol:

[Katie]

I'm not assuming every homeschooled kid is ugly.....only it seems like this movement was started by the father of a girl (little Suzie) who probably wasn't that adept at dealing with other kids.

She probably wasn't allowed to wear make up. She probably was told that she was so beautiful and special that guys would be beating the door down to marry her. She was probably told that it was her duty to marry early and pop out babies. And, like in my example above, she probably had some interaction with a boy/guy who wouldn't give her the time of day and crushed her.

Not saying all homeschools have this supposed background. Just seems like a plausable theory for the formation of this group.