Kids having kids: Palin's 17-year-old daughter is pregnant

John McCain's vice-presidential running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, has confirmed today that her 17-year-old daughter Bristol is pregnant.

Sarah Palin, a noted opponent of abortion, says Bristol (shown) intends to keep the child and marry the father.

The following statements were issued today by Sarah Palin and her husband Todd, and by Dr. James C. Dobson of Focus on the Family:

************************* Statement from Sarah and Todd Palin

We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us.

Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned.

We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents.

As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.

Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family.

We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi's privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates.

************************* Statement by Dr. James C. Dobson, Focus on the Family

In the 32-year history of Focus on the Family, we have offered prayer, counseling and resource assistance to tens of thousands of parents and children in the same situation the Palins are now facing.

We have always encouraged the parents to love and support their children and always advised the girls to see their pregnancies through, even though there will of course be challenges along the way.

That is what the Palins are doing, and they should be commended once again for not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances.

Being a Christian does not mean you're perfect.

Nor does it mean your children are perfect.

But it does mean there is forgiveness and restoration when we confess our imperfections to the Lord.

I've been the beneficiary of that forgiveness and restoration in my own life countless times, as I'm sure the Palins have.

The media are already trying to spin this as evidence Govenor Palin is a 'hypocrite,' but all it really means is that she and her family are human.

They are in my prayers and those of millions of Americans.

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