JulieLynn
veteran
Reged: 06/03/05
Posts: 1211
Loc: KY gal in Indiana
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Teens' Pregnancy Pact Shocks Town
CBS News
(June 19)
It's news that has people talking in the sleepy fishing village of Gloucester, Massachusetts, reports CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller.
"I think it's awful," one woman says. "They're kids having kids."
Seventeen girls at Gloucester High School not only got pregnant, but according to some, it was no accident.
"Pregnancy was the desired outcome," school superintendent Christopher Farmer says.
"So they did it on purpose?" Miller asks.
"That's what it sounds like, yes," Farmer says.
School officials discovered the pregnancy pact after some girls seemed disappointed that their pregnancy tests from the school nurse came back negative.
"They will have a baby as part of their life to give them status," Farmer says. "motherhood gives them status."
Status in Gloucester is hard to come by. The once thriving fishing community has seen jobs drift overseas. Economic depression has left many teens trying to fill the void.
"It sort of gives you the impression of being an adult, an independent. It may give you an opportunity for unconditional love and attention from the baby and also that you give to the baby," Dr. Elisabeth Guthrie, a pediatric psychiatrist, says.
According to the superintendent, all the girls were 16 or younger. Most of the fathers weren't in high school and at least one of them was a 24-year-old man.
Amanda Ireland, mother of 3-year-old Haley, just graduated from Gloucester High. She says she's tried to warn her peers about the tough road ahead.
"Don't, don't try to get pregnant," she says. "People say, 'I know what it's like because I have siblings.' But you really don't. No one knows until they actually go through it. And it's a lot of work."
School officials have their work cut for them. They are now considering a plan to provide birth control services in the high school next fall.
Their biggest challenge is how to change the mindset in some of the girls who come here.
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Have a great day!!
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matart1
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 09/01/05
Posts: 2798
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what a bunch of stupid, stupid immature little girls...
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Life is a long lesson in humility.
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Misslisa1017
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/18/06
Posts: 2056
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They just have no clue, it's so sad. This is like when my son and his ex got pregnant on purpose. They weren't thinking at all. They just plunged foward into the decision, and then when my son didn't get a job immediatly at he bidding she left him and moved on to another man and replaced him as a father figure. :::::::::sigh::::::::::
At least now they are working out the parenting roles. But why? What are these kids thinking? I know I went wrong somewhere. I know I'm going to do a lot more talking with my 11 yr old.
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asurvivor
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/14/05
Posts: 3410
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Doesn't surprise me at all to read this!!!!! I remember watching a talk show like 15 year ago and girls were saying then they wanted babies so they would have someone to LOVE! And someone TO LOVE THEM BACK.
This is exactly whats wrong with this world. children having children without realizing the full impact and RESPONSIBILITY of raising a child. These kids get stuck with parents who are immature, uneducated, and unmotivated. With that you get children being raised without WISDOM, COMMON SENSE, and good strong family BELIEFS. Let alone parents who work in lieu of WELFARE!
I think it sick the way people have kids these days! Adults and children ALIKE. No one has a purpose for having kids they do just because they can. They have no vision of what they want for their children bc they never had a vision for themselves so the quality of children being raised IS IN THE TOILET.
I can bit ch about this for hours but it won't stop children from having children so I'll end it now!
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Sherron
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Reged: 11/25/06
Posts: 20056
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"No one has a purpose for having kids they do just because they can. "
Well, that IS drastically different than the times when girls had kids at the same age so they could be utilized as farm help... that wasn't all that long ago... we tend to forget that waiting to have children, even until your 20's, is a fairly recent trend... one that I happen to agree with, but it's not like it's never been done that way before...
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JRS
old hand
Reged: 06/25/07
Posts: 827
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While I take note of your (obvious) passion on the subject and I don't disagree with you - I take some exception to the generalization.
I was a teen mom ('child having a child')- not ALL teen parents are as you describe. I have exceptional children and I am a decent parent I feel. I won't say I never made a mistake or wrong/irresponsible choice - but most everyone that meets my kids are very impressed by them so I couldn't have done all that poorly with them.
Oh and I have NEVER been on welfare
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Sherron
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Reged: 11/25/06
Posts: 20056
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"I won't say I never made a mistake or wrong/irresponsible choice "
The majority of us HAVE made this mistake (teen $ex)... only the minority has had to pay the price in full (teen pregnancy)... if you've had $ex as a teen, you really have no right to be judgmental about teen parents...that's all THEY did as well...maybe some weren't smart about, maybe they were, but since no bc method is 100%, it doesn't matter... anyone having $ex is taking the chance of pregnancy...
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Miranda
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 20822
Loc: North of Mexico
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No Sherron these girls we out to intentionally get prego-it was no accident.
Some teens have sex and use protection. Some teens intentionally go out to get prego for whatever reason. Not the same kettle of fish.
And as adults, yes we can judge them for their inability to make rational decisions. Now the taxpayers get to foot the bill for them and their kids for years to come.
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13.1...because I am only half crazy!
Edited by Miranda (06/20/08 11:39 AM)
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Sherron
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 11/25/06
Posts: 20056
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"And as adults, yes we can judge them for their inability to make rational decisions"
And you're right, teens are KNOWN for their stereotypical inability to make rational decisions. Some kids decide to drag race down main at 3am, others get wasted, these girls chose to try to get preggers... ALL TEENS MAKE POOR CHOICES on some level or another; some are unfortunate enough to make poor choices with a "biggie"; and some of those are unfortunate enough to have to suffer the full consequences of these poor choices...
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Relayer
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 03/13/07
Posts: 9506
Loc: Moorglade Mover
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Where are these girls parents? What a bunch of idiots.
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GO CUBBIES!!!!
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