Pregnant! Married! Allowed back in schoo. what do you think?
By Rosy001
@Rosy001 (363)
South Africa
February 13, 2007 5:52am CST
what kind of message do you think this will send fellow students? young girl, falls pregnant, gets married and then insists on attending school to complete her grade.
i feel she shouldnt. i feel it sends out the wrong message and that she's a bad example to those around her.
yes she probably realises she made a mistake but we all make choices, we all make mistakes and we all have to suffer the consequences. i feel that she should attend evening classes or perhaps complete it through correspondance.
how do you feel about the situation?
19 people like this
80 responses
@willocfc (963)
• Australia
13 Feb 07
She should absolutely be allowed to attend school, why the hell shouldnt she? she hasnt done anything wrong! she hasnt committed a crime! I think she is a great example in that she still wants to continue with her education and make sure her child has a better life. How does having a child make her a bad example? Its narrow minded people like you that make the world the way it is today.
8 people like this
@Rosy001 (363)
• South Africa
13 Feb 07
i am by far narrow minded more like being open minded and looking at this in every possible avenue. she lives in a community in a school where falling pregnant is almost the norm. how then does it look to her fellow pupils that she's back and nothing really has changed? already it has sparked an outcry cos even the children from the school feel it is wrong. she's not being punished in that she cannot complete her education, by all means she can. but she has options!hell, they're even now talking of giving children maternity leave. narrow minded?
4 people like this
@kate1356 (697)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I am not sure why you feel the girl needs to be punished. Do you think it is easy for the girl to go back to school and have everyone talking about her (especially in a school where you said even the kids didn't want her back.) I applaud the girl for having the courage to continue her schooling.
9 people like this
@firechick72 (167)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I think it is great that she wants to finish her education she really needs it now.think about it unfortunately now days it is a common thing so not letting her go to school is not going to keep your children away. just pray you raised yours to wait. GOOD FOR HER!
7 people like this
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
13 Feb 07
I believe that every person has their own right to be educated, the problem is that some are already judging the persons mistakes and not how the other would want to correct. Is it justifiable to put her in isolation just to make others feel that they are right? I think they are already dictating her and forcing her to something that she cannot choose to what she wants. And I think that these kids aren't even well-thought on how to treat someone with respect, maybe it be like in the poor girls situation. Is her suffering not enough to be like humiliated more by the ones whom she taught would understand her situation and protect her?
I don't know how things work out on your schools there, but I'm sure it is very different from the most that I've ever heard of..
8 people like this
@Rosy001 (363)
• South Africa
14 Feb 07
we are all from different walks of life. in your country, in your schools, in your communities i'm sure we do things very differently. she is not being treated like she has some dreaded disease. she is not being refused an education. she is only being given more options. these options are being given to her out of care and concern for her, the community and everyone else involved.
the school is well aware of the possibilities of what could happen if she stays at school. hence, there insisting on her taking another option. we are from different backgrounds ..............do not judge too quickly!
3 people like this
@Sawsen (793)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I think she has every right to be allowed to to school. She didn't do anything wrong. I think she's setting a good example by not allowing anything to stop her from going to school. And I think she's even setting a greater example by marrying he father of her child.
@mobyfriend (1017)
• Netherlands
13 Feb 07
No she should not be punished like that. Life will be hard for her as it is raising a child. And what I really miss in this post: what about the father of the child? Is he denied an education too? (supposing he's still in school).
Personnaly I think she shows a lot of responsibility after making one mistake. Finishing an education will improve your chances on the jobmarket so this will also benefit her child.
And don't think she will sent out a bad message. You will only have to turn on the tv and get flooded with those.
7 people like this
@Rosy001 (363)
• South Africa
13 Feb 07
she's not being punished in that she cannot complete her education. the school has given her options to complete it. the father doesn't attend school, he is a few years older.
the problem is that in that school and community it's like a norm for girls to fall pregnant. i think they really are wanting to set a better example to the fellow students
3 people like this
@sweet8684girl (232)
• United States
14 Feb 07
Everyone has the right to an education, pregnant or not. I think it's sending out a good example that she wants to continue her education. Becoming pregnant hasn't changed her mindset that an education is important to her. She's setting a good example to other girls that one can move on from becoming pregnant and it's not the end of everything once you have a baby.
@krebstar5 (1266)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I think that having a pregnant woman in school might work as something that would make other classmates not want to get pregnant. They would get to see her everyday and see how her pregnancy can keep her out of certain events and force her to slow down. I mean, the first time I saw someone suffer from morning sickness, I was like "Oh, that is not for me." Also, the pregnant girl in my school had to stop cheerleading and doing a lot of her favorite activities once she got farther along. By making her take night classes, it is more of an out of sight and out of mind effect. Teenagers should see how getting pregnant can effect their lives. Not be sheltered from it.
8 people like this
@anij34 (317)
• United States
13 Feb 07
My school district didn't have a huge number of girls get pregnant but we had a few out of every grade every year. They would be pulled out by the school system and put into Adult Ed. or Alternative Ed. Then when they had the baby they would be allowed to return to their grade with their friends without having missed any time. They didn't pull the girls out though until they started showing. It never bothered me even if they did stay in school until they had the baby. My parents taught me well and I never wanted to go out and get pregnant just because I saw a pregnant girl.
7 people like this
@Rosy001 (363)
• South Africa
14 Feb 07
you know, back home they do not exactly take the children out of school, it's only if the child feels she doesn't want to go anymore cos of her circumstances. many a time there are children who would like to complete there studies and they then do it through correspondance or evening classes. no one is ever denied an education. the only difference here is that this girl insisted on returning to her own school. in the interim, she's lost most of her friends, the principal and teachers are up in arms about it and even her fellow students do not want here there and are even threatening her being there. i cannot see how brave that is being as all she is doing is making herself more miserable and at the same time is putting her and a baby in a very stressful situation. it doesn't have to be. she has options where her education is concerned.
our communities are also very conservative and strict about situations like these. i guess people who come from different walks of life will not understand this to the 't' as they just see it as people being judged, punished, and not given a fair chance.
3 people like this
@leese29 (340)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I agree with the other poster she shouldn't be punished. The consequences of her actions are now she has a child to take care of. She is still trying to better herself and taking responsibilty. I think it should be encouraged, she has a baby to take care of and getting her education will help. Why should she be stuck in a minimum paying wage job. The baby will also suffer.
7 people like this
@Inklings (1255)
• United States
13 Feb 07
Good heavens, of course the girl should be allowed to finish her schooling -- and she shouldn't be limited to going in the evenings or through correspondence classes. The "consequence" that the girl has for becoming pregnant at a young age is that she gives up the freedoms of youth. She is a parent younger than she probably would have wanted to be, but society has no right to place any punishment on her. She's not a criminal -- merely a young parent.
5 people like this
@peni88 (469)
• United States
13 Feb 07
so what youre saying is that youre condoning a child to drop out of school?she definately should be able to finish school at the school. not night classes or a home tutor. yes she made a mistake but the girl also realizes how important an education is. that would be the message sent to the other students of the school,not if you get pregnant, drop out. you say that shes setting a bad example. how is that if she wants to finish her education? and dont think i dont know anything about this because im going through it right now. my daughter is 4 months pregnant and before you say anything its not my fault. she chose this and it was her mistake not mine. but she is being adult about it. she is also a straight a student.
5 people like this
@limosonia1 (1559)
• United States
13 Feb 07
Although I don't approve of children having children. We can't condem her for having a baby and getting married. She should be given the chance to finish her studies and be able to still make something of herself. Maybe she will be a good example by letting all the other girls know that now she has to work harder and she can't enjoy all the regular things because she has made a mistake. We need to support our kids even when we feel things aren't correct so that we can keep them moving in the right direction.
@fizzytom (752)
• Maribor, Slovenia
13 Feb 07
In the Uk it is the LAW that young people attend school until the required leaving age which is 16, so there would be no discussion - OK it may be a mother and baby unit where the child gets nursery care while the mother studies but better to be in mainstream normal school. It's not like she committed a crime after all.
If anything it may put off girls from getting pregnant when they see that it doesn't get you out of school and you still need to complete your education.
And it's better for the child to have an eduacted mother than one who didn't complete school. Then she maight have more chance of getting a decent job to provide for the baby when she finishes school
7 people like this
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
13 Feb 07
HELLO, this isn't 1950 where the girl is sent off to live with some distant relative till the baby is born to return as if nothing had happened. We have come so far, to now go backwards. I agree that children shouldn't have children but guess what it happens. Maybe the school should have a panel of pregnant young women, and young parents come to the school and discuss it, they did that when I was in school, boy what an eye opener. To say that someone can't continue in school because they got pregnant is just plan stupid. I understand what your saying that she can continue with an alternative completion, but if she is willing to go through the difficulties that she faces then she should by all means, be allowed to do so. Bad example, I think not. Other teens seeing just how difficult of a time she is having with trying to attend school, taking care of a little one, and trying to make ends meet, what a perfect poster for birth control. That's my 2 cents worth.
4 people like this
@sabsta2006 (241)
•
13 Feb 07
i think she should definately be able to go to school! at least shes wanting to finish her education. i had a friend in exactally the same situation, but the doctors told her that there was no way possible for her to fall pregnant, She went ot school finished her exams and then gave birth to a beautiful baby boy! She now concentrating on being a good mother and able to work as well
6 people like this
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
13 Feb 07
I think it is a great desicion will help other realise how they could end up if not careful. Also she should be supported becasue she is getting an education and will not end up on welfare or social assitance. She is also sending a positive message to other young mothers that you can make a mistake but still carry on with your life. Beside we gotta have some kids to attend those daycares that some of the high schools have built to keep young girls in school
5 people like this
@emarie (5442)
• United States
13 Feb 07
i would be proud of my daughter if she wanted to do that!!
when i was in high school in my sophmore year, there was a girl who was pregnant. she went to school, showing, and was one of the best students, took ap classes and was the nicest girl i ever met. i never once thought she was a bad example. actually, everyone loved her. and when she did give birth, she took some time off and then returned, even when the baby was old enough, she brough her to school (the father was a student as well) and of course people loved the little girl as well.
if they think they can handle it, they can. if the school allowes her to join back in, then what the big problem. the fact they he married her shows that they are good examples. if she was single and the father left and she still wanted to continue her education, then even more power to her. what she would be is a GOOD example to those girls. show them that their life isn't over just because of one mistake and you don't have to be ashamed of it. she can actually teach some of the girls a thing or two.
3 people like this
@Ambur25 (1006)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I think she SHOULD be allowed to attend school. She has made a choice, and that choice was to get married, have a baby, but her choice was also to finish school! Do you know how many teenage girls out there quit school and never go back because they got pregnant? Me being one of them. I got pregnant at 17 and didn't think I SHOULD be in school, so I quit. I wish I had stayed. Kudos to this young woman for taking control of her life!!
@Bee1955 (3882)
• United States
13 Feb 07
If she wants to go to school, then she goes to school as long as they allow her to - many schools dont allow obviously pregnant girls to attend, but today might be different. Perhaps she'll give out the message to other girls NOT to do what she did - as she misses all the activities she would have contributed to but now her condition doesnt allow. Look at it positively. She may also change her mind after a few months and take those correspondence courses.
4 people like this
@Elaeblue (144)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I would think that watching her go through the changes pregnancy brings would be a good deterent to the other kids. I dont see how you can refuse to allow this girl to attend school. She has that right. She still has a right to an education and will need one even more because of her situation.
4 people like this
@mattcassethan (226)
• Canada
13 Feb 07
OMG... of course she should finish school, she has all the right in the world to go back to school. I can not believe this day in age that people would think that she does not have the right to. that is crazy. I was still in grade 12 when I had my first child and i got married while in grade 12 also. I am still with the same man MY HUSBAN, and had 2 more children, also finished my grade 12 and went to college, now im a nurse's aid working at the hospital. She has the right to her education, with child or not with child. It seems to be ok for olded ppl to go back to school after thay have been out for many years. there is no SITUATION...... she CAN go to school. no one is perfect.
3 people like this
