Principal stands by 'pregnancy pact' claim

Non-educators typically have no idea of the potentiallity of the students to form synchronized decision making. Parents are often in denial and the public often has no experience in working with groups that would be larger than that would be on a softball team. I am a recently retired school administrator, the general public has no clue as to the extreme behaviors often presented by students and by some parents. I believed the principal's comments as soon as I heard them because it is very possible with today's teenagers that send pictures of genitalia through media devices and no longer believe that oral sex is actual sex. Nothing is to be unexpected of the power of groups of teenagers, much of it positive but often it is not. This is a very unfortunate situation but I think it is a message to the community that it is time that they put more trust and respect in their school officials and less emphasis upon beating up the principal in the media. It is a symptomatic of a much larger problem, the blaming society, "not my kids, it must be someone else's problem, I'm going to litigate." " I know my kid would not have done it because I give he or she anything they want." The bottom line is, the students get their way most of the time because the parent will make sure to that, but the student doesn't get the appropriate boundaries, and teaching of respect and love at home. Parents often attempt to buy their love and be their friend. STudents don't need another friend, they need a loving and caring adult that knows how and is willing to set the rules and say the word that is becoming extinct from much parenting, the word is simple, "No." These parents and community members are embarrassed because they look bad. Just wait till the kids all have their kids, what kind of parenting will they get, that is up to the community. Don't blame the principal for his valid insight and getting his information from the most knowing sources, staff members and other students. Wake up parents, this is not the way to parent. BEst wishes, I am very sorry to hear this has happened, but there will also be copycat behavior across the world, we need to be prepared. Thanks for listening.

Nothing would surprise me. With all the transmitted sexual diseases so common, I think everyone needs to take a look at sex education in general. Children having children is not a good idea. I feel sorry for the babies that will be born.

That's because these students were dumb enough to advertise what their intentions were. I watched that new show "Baby Borrowers". I hope every single girl involved in that watched it also. They had infants (up to 11 months) for 3 days. Could see that a couple were cracking. One actually blamed the child's mother for her doing a bad job (I won't do this with that ***** watching. I don't even want that kid now). The mother stepped in when she thought it was necessary, and if that chippy was too dumb to realize she was trying to help her and ensure her child's safety, then she should not have any kids ever!

Quote : but there were also 17 pregnancies in a school of 765 in my town

But were the students in your area stupid enough to advertise what they were doing, and were they doing it on purpose? I feel bad for the babies too. Not to mention that we will be paying for them.

I absolutely believe it. It's the parents that are in an uproar that the story is untrue, but they are always the last to see the truth involving their children. My own mother - to this day - smugly tells everyone how she never had a worry about me while I was in school, because I was such a good kid and would never have gotten myself pregnant or involved in drugs, etc., etc.. Well...... I had my first pregnancy scare at 15 and was on the pill from then all the way through to today (30). She probably STILL thinks I'm a virgin, since I've never been married.

There absolutely were girls in my high school that thought having a baby would be a good thing. That it would be fun!

Jodi-353985

"She probably STILL thinks I'm a virgin" Doubtful, she was young once herself. Your 30 not 17 so theres no way she doesn't think your getting layed.

It was a joke - not a serious statement. She knows at this point, as I've had serious relationships, but she does believe I made it out of school intact.

Why not just build a housing unit just for these girls? Then they could all live together and help each other? Have it state mandated with very strict rules. Such as: no parties, no leaving the house (except in case of emergency) after dark, no male visitors , attendance at school is mandatory, etc. Kind of what they should have had at home! Maybe if they had stricter parents, or ones that paid attention to them and what they were up to, most of these pregnancies would have been avoided. There is no conceivable way that the principal or any school staff should be blamed. I'm guessing this didn't happen on school grounds.

I don't see any mention of the ages of the young girls in question. If they are 17, then it could be so they can get welfare and not have to work for a while; I know this goes on where I live. If they are younger, then it could be an extreme behaviour to make up for lack of love in their lives. Or it could be a combination of both. I can't see teenage girls being so thoughtless as to just have children for a thrill, unless they are morally and socially bankrupt. Regardless of the reason(s), I suspect there is both a lack of sex education and parental guidance occurring which is another set of subjects best left alone on here.

Approx 25 years ago, I was at a small rural Colorado medical clinic. It was a school day, but the room was held several teen aged girls. One had a little girl, one had a tiny baby, one was about to give birth, one was beginning to show pregnancy. Other girls were giggling about try to get "preggers" and how you could go to the Dept of Health and Social Services to get money as well as being set up in a home away from parents.

They weren't talking about boyfriends or parents or school... they were simply talking about being "preggers" and getting easy money. I was appalled.

Sounds like some of those girls could be the mommies of today's mommies. The grandmothers of the babies. It wasn't a pact. It was using the system to rebel against parents.

Clearly these children are crying out for attention. Generally when a child isn't getting the love, respect, and discipline they need at home, they look for other ways to coax it out of their parent(s). When I was a young girl, my father passed away and I absolutely despised him for leaving me alone with my mother. We had never really known each other as I was always with my father- the typical daddy's girl. I was in complete denial about him being gone and chose to act out as a way to punish my mother for not taking the time to pay attention to me. She, of course, felt sorry for me for having lost my father so young and therefore, gave into my every wish and demand. There was a complete lack of communication between us and I would go out every night- hanging out places and doing things a girl of 14 or 15 really should not be doing. There was one crucial difference in me that seems to be very rare among today's youth: I had a conscience. After dropping out of school, abusing various substances and having a multitude of sexual partners, I finally realized that all I really wanted was for her to love me and help me. We had a long fight and a longer talk and I managed to straighten my life out completely. I thank God everyday that I never managed to get myself pregnant or end up getting killed. Today's kids are so desensitized by the media and by movies and television and they just don't have that one little part in their brain- the angel on the other shoulder, that will allow them to stop before they make mistakes that aren't reversible, much in the case of these young girls. I think it's very, very sad.

Whats this? A bunch of underage children are getting pregnant? Quick! Call in the swat team, lets storm the high school and cart all the children off! Oh, wait. Thats right. Thats only how we treat people with different beliefs than the rest of us.

I guess these children are "normal" so underage sex and pregnancy is ok.

how do you say "slut"

It doesn't seem to matter if they are still in high school or not. Our nearly 21 year old daughter came home several months ago saying that almost all of her friends from high school were unmarried and pregnant. Even with the counsel, upbringing and value system my husband and I provided she became just like them. I believe these young people have no vision or plan concerning their future. It's also apparent they have no clue what it means to be a parent. I told her I am a grandparent only and have no plans to raise more children--that means no dumping her baby on us when she "needs to go somewhere".

I have a slightly different twist to this story. My daughter (21 at the time) and several of her friends(8 at last count) all got pregnant and/or delivered in 13 month span. When one announced her pregnancy several others jumped on board. Most of these girls are not married or got married after they became pregnant or after the babies birth. I love my grand-daughter and would not for the world wish she was not here...but these girls had no idea what they were getting into. It just sounded like a good idea and who want to be left out.(STUPID, I know). I was a young mother myself, but I see these girls who want to be footloose and fancy free twenty-somethings whose babies, if they did not have helpful and supportive families would not be well taken care of...I hate to sound "old", but where did we as parents and society in general go wrong to raise a generation of young adults who don't think a decision through and then feel entitled to help from others...Just wondered how to assure the next generation is more responsible. Any thought?

Jan M you sound like a tired grandmother. I have two young (1 yr and 2 1/2 yr) legitimate grandchildren whom I love to spend time with, but I get tired (work full time and also care for 83 year old mother). We can help the next generation by not being enablers--see my earlier post.

Honestly, who cares. This story has gotten entirely too much publicity. If these girls want to be teenage mothers, I don't think the entire nation needs to know about it. Control your kids...period.

Honestly, who cares. This story has gotten entirely too much publicity. If these girls want to be teenage mother, I don't think the whole nation needs to know about it. Control your kids...period.

Pabombadier--You're kidding, right? Do you pay taxes? This ought to make you mad as hell! Your federal/state taxes pay for free medical care for the "mothers" and babies. "Control your kids....period" sounds like sound advice from someone who has no children.

I all begins with good or bad parenting. anyone know of the upbringing these girls have.

So the principal of the school says that he believes the girls had a "pact" (I am stunned at the controversy surrounding the choice of this word?) to get pregnant...and this is creating a frenzy.

Whether or not the girls did have an "agreement" (there, is that better?...) the fact is that 17 girls got pregnant, let us not forget by males. And the principal is being blamed for stating an opinion?

It seems to me that he is responsible for his OPINION, which is his right to have.

The girls and their partners are responsible for the pregnancies. Which is the more regrettable, an opinion or seventeen underage pregnancies? As for the responsibility for the pregnancies, that lies squarely with underage children who have been (apparently) taught nothing about morals, responsible choices, consequences, and failing all that, birth control.

I am a teacher in a middle school; honestly, I am sick and tired of being held accountable for everything from behavior to bad weather (not really, just a joke). It is time to put the responsibility back on those who really ARE responsible: children and their parents.

Whether it was a pact or not, the fact is that we now have seventeen babies, who through not choice of their own, are going to cost already overstretched social support programs more money. Maybe we can make a "pact" with the parents that they have to pay for their children and now grandchildren?

So the principal of the school says that he believes the girls had a "pact" (I am stunned at the controversy surrounding the choice of this word?) to get pregnant...and this is creating a frenzy.

Whether or not the girls did have an "agreement" (there, is that better?...) the fact is that 17 girls got pregnant, let us not forget by males. And the principal is being blamed for stating an opinion?

It seems to me that he is responsible for his OPINION, which is his right to have.

The girls and their partners are responsible for the pregnancies. Which is the more regrettable, an opinion or seventeen underage pregnancies? As for the responsibility for the pregnancies, that lies squarely with underage children who have been (apparently) taught nothing about morals, responsible choices, consequences, and failing all that, birth control.

I am a teacher in a middle school; honestly, I am sick and tired of being held accountable for everything from behavior to bad weather (not really, just a joke). It is time to put the responsibility back on those who really ARE responsible: children and their parents.

Whether it was a pact or not, the fact is that we now have seventeen babies, who through not choice of their own, are going to cost already overstretched social support programs more money. Maybe we can make a "pact" with the parents that they have to pay for their children and now grandchildren?