Several schools and education programs have been designed to address and help prevent teen pregnancies. However Gloucester High is facing something that I do not think anyone really expected or prepared for happening.
The school in Massachusetts realized that there was a problem when an unusually high number of girls began visiting the school clinic as early as October of last year to take pregnancy tests. Some of the girls returned several times and actually even acted a little disappointed when they discovered that they were not pregnant.
By summer vacation seventeen girls ages 16 and younger were pregnant. After a few questions, it was discovered that the girls had made a pact to get pregnant on purpose and raise their babies together.
One of the saddest circumstances is that one of the fathers is a 24-year-old homeless man.
The girls were very excited to find out that they were pregnant and some state that they even responded by giving each other high fives and planning baby showers for one another.
The high school fears that maybe it has done too much to help the teens. There is a free daycare center on site and the mothers are encouraged to stay in school. It is said that students with strollers can be seen wandering through the hallways. Perhaps the attempt to help the young teens with their education has only hurt.
The school attempted to help with the problem after over 150 girls had taken a pregnancy tests, a local pediatrician began giving birth control regardless if he had parent permission.
Some feel that the lack of direction at home has given the girls a desire to have someone to love and give them love. This they are attempting to gain through having a baby. The school is considering handing out contraceptives next year. However if the girls want to get pregnant, it is unlikely that they would use them.
More Sex Education Discussion
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