IMAP-North America – In a webinar on March 25, 2025, the International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) discussed the importance of strong, loving families as the foundation for a healthy and stable society, especially at a time when online seductions abound. Mr. Pierre Beauregard, IMAP coordinator for Canada and age verification legislation advocate, served as moderator.
The first panelist, Dr. Robert Kittel, co-chair for UPF-Asia-Pacific, laid out the devastating social and economic impacts of teen pregnancy. Dr. Kittel presented a comprehensive view of the importance of marriage and family values across different religions and cultures. He argued that these values, particularly the family’s role in training youth to be unselfish and to delay gratification, are crucial for societal well-being. He highlighted the benefits of intact married families for children's outcomes and proposed a "whole of culture" approach to address declining marriage rates and moral decay in society.
The next panelist, Ms. Amelia Lindemann, director of the School of Love, emphasized the importance of teaching children about relationships and sexuality in the home. She talked about the various influences on children's understanding of sex, emphasizing the significant impact of social media and pornography.
Ms. Lindemann argued that parents should be the primary source of sexual education for their children, as this promotes connection and counters misperceptions. She suggested that parents need to stay curious about their children's lives, be present, set a good example, and become a reliable resource for questions about sex. She emphasized the importance of discussing sex within the context of love, intimacy, and long-term happiness, as opposed to the message of instant gratification found in media and online sources. Her YouTube channel School of Love, provides many helpful resources for parents.
Ms. Cheryl Wetzstein, senior advisor to the Times Global Media Group, responded to the presentations, emphasizing the importance of staying connected to God and highlighting the history of the pornography industry. She noted that the industry was on the decline in the early 1990s but made a comeback with the advent of the internet, a story she covered extensively during her tenure as a journalist at The Washington Times.
All three panelists next discussed the challenges of protecting children from pornographic content, highlighting the challenge of passing laws in this area. They emphasized the importance of parental guidance and character education in schools and communities to equip youth to find their way though the misinformation.
The panel discussed the importance of promoting healthy sexuality and marriages within religious communities, particularly in Christian circles, as well as promoting character education in schools. The discussion also touched on the need for open communication about the harms of pornography and the importance of guiding children towards true love and lasting relationships. The participants expressed hope for the future, and closed with a call to action for parents, encouraging them in their role of guiding their children towards a brighter future.
