What Is The Solution To Teen Pregnancy?

This week, the entire island was consumed with the topic of pregnant teens. In particular how should the secondary school handle the situation?

The first question that came to my mind was, is it the schools responsibility to punish a student for getting pregnant? Or should the onus be on the parents and guardians?

After much thought, I've concluded that while the major responsibility is definitely the parents, yes indeed, the schools must put some measures in place to deal with teen pregnancy and to deter other students from walking that path.

However, while the focus this week seemed to be on punishment, I believe whatever policy is put in place should deal with first and foremost ensuring that the child's education does not come to an abrupt end. Then secondly, teaching the child to assume responsibility for its actions and giving the child the necessary tools to make intellectually sound decisions to minimize the possibility of a second pregnancy during their teen years.

That being said, I don't agree with any course of action that suspends education for the duration of the pregnancy. I foresee so many teens choosing this option only to not return to the classroom after the duration of the suspension. Particularly those who by the time of delivery, have reached school leaver's age.

Many will say that if it's the teen's choice not to return, so be it. But that flippant attitude is foolhardy. An uneducated, teen parent will become society's problem. The social welfare system can attest to this.

I also believe that ensuring that education continues, teaches the teenager responsibility. Getting pregnant does not diminish responsibility to schoolwork. That teen should now learn how to maintain their school workload while dealing with all the issues and effects of pregnancy. By the time the baby arrives, the parent should have some idea on how to manage time and maintain their responsibilities while under stress; a life lesson that will surely come in handy during a lifetime of parenting.

I do understand the principle behind not allowing them to attend regular school. The school must safeguard its reputation and maintain its standards as best as possible and a pregnant teen may not set the best possible example for the younger, more impressionable students. Hence, the option to allow the teen free access to classes at the college and after regular school hours at the secondary school, is to me, a feasible plan.

This is of course providing that teachers are available and willing to teach the teen after hours and that the college offers classes at this teen's education level. I would like to assume that the teachers were consulted and their willingness to participate in this plan as well as their compensation for their extra hours of work was discussed.

I wonder if anyone has considered a third option; the option of home schooling. The child can be given the necessary course work and assignments and can even have classroom interaction either by an online setup or by simply video recording of the lessons. This option allows the child to remain on track with its education and eliminates the problem of teachers having to teach extra hours.

Whether or not expectant teen fathers should bare the same consequences as the girls was also debated and I firmly believe they should. Fair is fair. The only difference between the boys and girl is that the girl must carry the evidence of her misdeed for nine long hard months.

I noticed a few missing elements from the proposals this week. No mention of any counseling or support mechanisms was discussed. The pregnant teen and expectant teen father must receive counseling. If having a baby when you are yet a child is not a counseling worthy moment then I don't know what is. All parties involved must receive support. Coping with a pregnant teen must be a tough task for parents and they will need help on how to cope with this. The teens will also need help and support on how to be a parent and what to expect. This would not necessarily fall under the school's portfolio but rather community or social services. The two must work in conjunction with each other towards the most positive outcome for all parties including the unborn child.

Finally, no mention was made of dealing with the bigger issue. Pregnancy isn't the real problem sexual activity is. The teen that ends up pregnant was just unfortunate enough to get caught.

So while all the protocols and policies for teen pregnancy are all well and good, it's almost like bolting the stable after the horses have all run away. A policy needs to be put in place to deal with sexual activity in teens.

Many times parents and teachers are well aware a teen is having sex and the teen receives a slap on the wrist or worst yet every one turns a blind eye.

Why wait till a pregnancy occurs to heap hell and damnation on the child's head? Isn't that sending the message that sex is ok just don't wind up pregnant? Preaching abstinence clearly isn't working so what's the solution?

Photo Credit to TBD

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Penny Small is a freelance contributor to MNI Alive. She is a Pharmacist by profession, currently residing in the Caribbean.