Pregnancy pact results in lots of teen moms
Rocky wire services
Published June 19, 2008 at 9:12 p.m.
Updated June 19, 2008 at 9:12 p.m.
One high school. One year. Seventeen pregnant students.
At Gloucester High in Massachusetts, the number of pregnant students this school year is four times the rate last year.
What is more shocking, according to a Time magazine article published online today, is that many of the teenage girls entered into a pregnancy pact last year pledging to raise their babies together.
Principal Joseph Sullivan believes that some of the would-be moms, none older than 16, planned to have babies, even high-fiving each other when they found out they were expecting, according to the article.
The school, in the gritty fishing town of Gloucester, started looking into the spike in pregnancies in October when the students came to the school health clinic for pregnancy tests, Sullivan told the national magazine.
"Some girls seemed more upset when they weren't pregnant than when they were," Sullivan told the magazine. The girls, upon hearing the news, started talking of plans for baby showers.
Nearly half the expecting students confessed to making a pact to get pregnant and raise their babies together.
Sullivan said school officials found out that one of the fathers is a 24-year-old homeless man.
"One way to describe it is 'disturbing,"' School Committee chairman Greg Verga, told the Boston Herald.
"I have heard rumors some of these pregnancies were not accidents," he said.
Amanda Ireland, who just graduated from Gloucester High, thinks she knows why these girls wanted to get pregnant, according to Time.
Ireland, 18, gave birth her freshman year and said some of her now pregnant schoolmates regularly approached her in the hall, saying how lucky she was to have a baby, Time reported.
"They're so excited to finally have someone to love them unconditionally," Ireland said.
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June 19, 2008
10:07 p.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Well it looks like someone flunked sex ed clas for sure.
Bet the parents were thrilled to find out they were going to be grandparents.
This is what happens when you don't keep in the know of what your kids are doing.
These girls think getting pregnant is like adopting a pupp it's not.
Because when you grow tired of the puppy you can give to animal control and be done.
With the baby it is yours for the next 18 years.
Also they did not mention if the girls were children of the dole themselves.
Well congratulations your a grandparent.
June 20, 2008
3:42 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
A lot of us are state raised; the better we take care of these children born today, the more productive of a society we become tommorrow. Idiots have children true enough, what is done is done; don't let these babies ever know they were born second class in the eyes and judgements of thier peers. They just might turn around and give you some love in return and become first class citizens. Boys Town has done miricles, Cal Farley's Ranch produced good citizens. Wouldn't society be better served to pay the bill now, for the sake of the future quality of the product? Is a nation's greatness truly judged by how it treats the least of it's citizen's? I don't know, sure it was truly foolish of the children to have children just for sport; but doesn't this mirror the decadence of all of our society as a whole? We as Americans have lost morals in our nations leaders, our churches are bankrupt of thier treasury of morals, schools don't teach morals, many husbands and wifes have no morals, businessmen have no morals, what did you expect the product of this decadence and lack of morals to be? Saints ain't likely. When society becomes the parent; the product is a rudderless ship, and an even greater future liability to the parent: society. No child should be second class, no matter how poor or bankrupt the parent's faculties. Pay now or pay later; we can argue the cause and cure all day, but we need to step to the plate for the kids.
June 20, 2008
7:28 a.m.
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technoidus writes:
what morals? do we have morals in us? Morals of this country is like their diet: "Junk". I believe their parents are either very happy, cuz they're grandparent,hopefully it will last a lifetime or they're careless!! Going to church doesnt mean you're perfect, at least we saw priests in US molesting the kids or being gay. Even church concept became corporate entity, open the tv and you'll see all those people pouring their money to the so called preachers.
Bottom line: it's their life and their choice. If they believe what they did was a good choice, so be it! Otherwise this is gonna be one of the dumbest acts done in the history of us.
June 20, 2008
8:15 a.m.
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jayzee17 writes:
I admire these teens for having children. I'm 15 and I have a kid too. I don't see anything wrong with it. I think it's great that they made a pact to raise their babies together. I wish the girls in my school did that. I have to raise my baby alone! Nobody in my school is pregnant or has a kid, so it's hard. I now have to balance out school and raising a baby on my own. I wish I had someone to raise my baby with. I think more younger girls should become pregnant because then they have someone to love and care about. My boyfriend is 24 and he is proud to be the father of our beautiful baby, Maddie-Briann.
June 20, 2008
9:12 a.m.
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TERESAB writes:
Jayzee17 - If your boyfriend is proud to be the father of your daughter, why are you raising her alone? I certainly wish you and Maddie-Briann the best, but frankly, at 15 and even beyond that, your parents should be the ones loving and caring about you; and you them. It saddens me to realize that so many girls and young women feel such a lack of love and acceptance that they feel they need to have a baby just to get that.
I realize not everyone has the good fortune to have loving and caring parents (or parent), grandparents, or guardians for a variety of reasons; but to those parents, etc. who were and are just to selfish to give their children the time and love they need and deserve - SHAME ON YOU!
When I was 15, I had already realized that although I liked children, I never wanted to have any of my own because I did not want to make the sacrifices necessary to raise healthy, happy kids. At 46, I still do not regret that decision, but I am ecstatic that I have three sisters who did want to be moms (and are all great moms at that), so that my life could be enriched by the joy that my nieces and nephews have brought to me for the past 14 years.
I have nothing but respect for anyone who chooses to be a parent and dedicate themselves to their kids, but it is a sad commentary on the state of things in our society that children, especially girls, feel having children is the only way to get the love they need and deserve. Jayzee, you sound intelligent and well spoken, as well as dedicated to your child - hopefully that will help you through the difficult times ahead.
As for the town of Gloucester, Massachusetts; I give the entire community a big fat "F" for not knowing enough about what their children and teenagers are doing or how they feel to allow this to happen. Every parent, teacher, social worker, doctor, councilor, nurse, police officer, and lawyer - along with every other adult in town should ask themselves what they personally could have done to prevent this from happening and then work to keep it from happening again.
June 20, 2008
9:46 a.m.
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TERESAB writes:
p.s. to happymike44 - You wrote, "Because when you grow tired of the puppy you can give to animal control and be done." Did you know that according to PETA, over four MILLION dogs and cats are euthanized every year in US shelters? If anyone is not sure if he or she is ready for the responsibility of a puppy, I suggest a pet rock.
June 20, 2008
10:21 a.m.
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jayzee17 writes:
Teresab,when I put that I am raising Maddie alone I meant without any other teen parents, like the teen parents in Gloucester. Yes, my boyfriend is helping me raise her and he is a proud parent. I don't think it should sadden you if these teens are happy. Thank you for your kindess =)<3
June 20, 2008
12:21 p.m.
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Jackieg218 writes:
Jayzee, are you living with your folks? If so... your not raising her alone, is she on medicaide? If so...your not doing it alone. Is she in WIC... if so..your not doing it alone.
Why on EARTH would you want to have peers that have made the same choice as you? Do you plan on going to college? Do you know full time day care is going to run you about 200 a week for a newborn? If you have her in daycare and get staite aide to assist with the cost of it, Again... your not doing it alone. Sorry but 15 is just too young to have a kid.
I am glad that since she is already here that you love her and want to do right by her, many others are left to die and I am glad you didnt choose that route. However, 15 isnt the right age to be starting a family either. Society raises them, welfare, WIC, Food stamps etc for young kids... your not in it alone.. the rest of us end up paying for it.
June 20, 2008
2:13 p.m.
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jayzee17 writes:
Jackieg218: No I'm not living with my parents. I am living with my boyfriend. I have many reasons why I would want to have peers that have made the same choice that I have, but you wouldn't understand. Yes, I plan on going to college and I do know how expensive daycare is. However, my boyfriend and I both have jobs to pay for it. Obviously, I don't have a great job because I am 15 and only certain places will hire that young. But, my boyfriend has a descent job to pay for things, and he's 24. As for college, I am applying for scholarship and I have family that will help pay. I understand that you think 15 is too young to have kids, but I don't. My boyfriend and I are raising and paying for our daughter, nobody else. & May I ask. Do you have kids of your own?
June 20, 2008
5:27 p.m.
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Jackieg218 writes:
Jayzee, yes I have kids. I have one biological and 4 step kids (and a grand baby).
I do applaud you for doing this on your own as far as money goes. I personally have a problem with how much welfare, food stamps and what not get used. I struggled on my own (after the divorce)with out help I made it. No it wasnt easy, but I did it, as it sounds you are.
You may be like my mom (she had her first at 17) and did what ever it took to keep him (despite her parents wanting to put him up for adoption) she ended up running away and living on her own just to keep the son she wanted so much. So actually I stand corrected, I guess there are some people who at 15 can do it.
I still wouldnt like to see more 15 year old girls having kids. I stand by that. However Jayzee, I am sorry I pre-judged you.
June 22, 2008
7:26 p.m.
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Garegare writes:
Wow. This was bound to happen after that movie Juno. Except the girls should have practiced babysitting for while don't you think? Like that new show Baby Borrowers. Teens get to look after other people's kids to get a taste for it. Better than just having them and figuring it out later...