Daycare in high schools

[Dizzy]

I have a question for those that think it should be "free".

Since nothing is free, and in this case "free" would just mean, "us" paying for it

Why do you think it is right to make it as easy as possible for somebody to NOT have to pay for their actions? What purpose does it serve? will it keep them off state aid when they aren't in high school? When many others have made sacrafices and barely made it have done so, why should we be worried about making everything "easier" when they make decisions they aren't prepared to follow through on? Some people have done most of their growing up when faced with challenges, why make it easier? It's not impossible by any means to have a child and finish school

They're basically children, and shouldn't be punished for having a kid.

I think if they want to get an education we should be ENCOURAGING them, not putting more barriers in their way.

We pay more to support adults who don't work and who have poor educations that teen parents.

Get them OUT of the cycle and maybe their kids won't end up in the same position.

 

[eddieq]

I've got very strong feelings about government assistance. I've been in the system and took assistance when my first child was born and my wife lost her job at the same time. Sure it hurt my pride a little, but I'd rather choke my pride down than to have to live on the street with my family. I took a second job at a restaurant working nights busing tables, then eventually serving to make some extra cash just to try and keep the lights on and the heat going. I appreciated every cent I received and worked my ass off for everything else. When we were in line for our well baby checkups to make sure that we were doing it right (required for the program), many of the folks around us would be there with three and four kids, all within a year of each other. Accidents happen, but at some point you have to figure out that condoms are cheaper than another kid. Or, gasp, stop having sex!

There are abusers who treat the system like a hand out. There are folks who legitimately need the help and treat it like a hand up. I have no issue with the latter. I have huge issues with the former. It's the abusers who make it hard on folks who need help, whether they are in that situation through a mistake (i.e. teen pregnancy as we're discussing) or through other circumstances.

 

[drmom777]

What about the fathers in all of this? As far as I can tell, the mothers are supposed to struggle along, unable to stay in school, raising a child in poverty unless they have parental support. They are to pay for their stupidity, big time. In the meantime, the fathers get off scott free and go on their merry way. In many cases, the mother is a child and the father is not, but the mother still bears all the responsibility, even though it is the man that committed a crime.

I think day care is a good option for right now, funded by taxpayers if necessary. Compared to other things taxes pay for, this is a tiny drop in the bucket. In the meantime, find the fathers of these babies, and make them take responsibility. And try to find out what makes a child think it is OK to have a baby. It is recognized that children in the early to mid teen years do not make good adult decisions. They deserve special protection and consideration because of this. Yes it is their failure when these things happen, but it is also always someone else's failure as well.

 

[~Jessie~]

I voted no, because I think if you are responsible enough to have a child, you should be responsible enough to find daycare for your child. When you go out in the real world there it is very unlikely that they will have free daycare for their children at their jobs. They probably won't even have any daycare at their jobs. In college they will not have free daycare for their children. And probably not daycare nextdoor to their classes either.

Personally I think they need to accept personal responsibility for their actions.

In a perfect world younger teenagers (under 18) wouldn't have children.

However, in the real world MANY teenagers have sex, and are still dependants of their parents. Can you please tell me how a 15 or 16 year old child can hold down a job and attend school, all while raising their baby?

If these girls can't get an education, you will be paying for them for their entire lives. So rather than have a student volunteer/funded daycare (or even one where tax money goes towards it), would you rather these girls drop out of school so they can afford $400+/month daycares? Along with buying formula (can't breast feed since they'll be spending 40-50 hours a week in daycare), diapers, food, etc... on top of paying for rent. Your tax money will end up going towards all of this as well, considering most 15-16 year olds will make minimum wage if they're even lucky enough to get jobs.

 

[zoe08]

I believe the fathers should be paying child support. It shouldnt matter if they are minors. If as minors they felt responsible enough to have sex, they should be responsible enough to pay for it. So if the fathers aren't together with the mothers, then they should be paying child support. They should be treated as a 25 year old dead beat dad would.

 

[release the hounds]

so by paying for daycare in highschools, these parent's will then be off state assistance when they grow up? how come I have a hard time believing that. I think we have plenty of systems in place, finish school with your child, drop out and take GED classes, do to highschool part time. I don't really care which is chosen. Many young parents have done just that, faced the challange and came out stronger because of it. I still don't see what good becomes of teaching our kids that they don't have to suffer the consequences of their actions.

 

[Dizzy]

so by paying for daycare in highschools, these parent's will then be off state assistance when they grow up? how come I have a hard time believing that. I think we have plenty of systems in place, finish school with your child, drop out and take GED classes, do to highschool part time. I don't really care which is chosen. Many young parents have done just that, faced the challange and came out stronger because of it. I still don't see what good becomes of teaching our kids that they don't have to suffer the consequences of their actions.

Have you ever spoken with teen mums and seen what they have to face/deal with?

Whether they messed up or not, they have NO hope if people don't lend them a hand or two.

I am generalising, there are a few lucky ones.

I have spoken with them, and spent time at a group for teenage mums who are still in school run by a youth service....

They NEED support, or YOU will be paying for them in the future.

 

[FoxyWench]

i agree that the father is 50% responsible for everythign, whether he wants to be or not and think in cases of teen pregnancy if the mother wants it there should be acess to some kind of DNA test to confirm paternity.
after paterinty is confirmed BOTH parents should be responsible for that child monetarily and emotionally...

i simply dont think that them still being kids gives them the right to get a pat on the back told "it was a bad idea" then have it handed to them.

again...unless she was raped she made a consious decision, 15 or 55...and opend her legs for the guy...the guy made the consious decision to not use protection (though ive known of a few cases of entrapment were girls tell their bf their on bc when there not so they CAN get pregnant even if he doesnt want a kid)
and when both parties make such a desicion they give up their right to being a child anmore and need to do something to EARN what there being handed for the result of their irresponsible actions...

esepecially when protection is SOOOO redily available, heck our nurses office set it up so that there were baskets of various condoms FREE! in each of the bathrooms, unfortunatly too many people DIDNT take advantage of that... i mean there FREE, there there and noones watching you...is it realy that hard to take responsibilty and pick up a couple if your that serious about getting laid?!

 

[drmom777]

By legal definition, a child is less responsible than an adult for her decisions. You really can't give up your right to be a child in this country unless YOU manage to convince the court you can act as an adult.

 

[release the hounds]

most likely we will be paying for them anyway, so I don't see any trade off

My parent's were in high school when they had me. They toughed it out. They fought through so much adversity and even went to college. My dad worked while my mom worked and went to school. They had help from friends and family in the form of emotional support, financially they're still paying for things from back then.

It's tough, it isn't impossible. They have options, just like they had options before they became parents.

I'm not against helping people that need it. I think we have some good programs that could be better if we could get rid of the abuse. The last thing I think we need is MORE, especially when it seems that it's more about putting the burden on someone else for another poor decision and teaching our kids it's OK.

 

[Renee750il]

Don't forget, condoms are only a slightly over 80% effective . . . IF USED OPTIMALLY.

I can't believe that anyone would think that having daycare available (like Breeze described) completely mitigates the consequences and harsh realities of having a child for a teen mother. We're talking about day care that allows a girl to go to class and graduate, not a free babysitting program so she can go to prom or partying on Friday night.

Let's give kids a chance at getting out of the vicious circle, even if it is a slim one.

 

[SarahFair]

I still don't see what good becomes of teaching our kids that they don't have to suffer the consequences of their actions.

The babies that are born do not need to suffer..It was not their choice..

My parent's were in high school when they had me.

Times have changed...
Alot of the time if a 15 year old comes up prego they arent going to be hired. If they are hired they will be making what 5.50 an hour working only about 12 hours..

My sister works 8 hours a day at 8 an hour. She made 500 in 2 weeks. That would barely pay for 2 weeks of daycare. Lets ad in formula...thats $40 a week. Diapers another 10 a week..Cloths 10 a week..then the things like gas drops tylenol passies etc 15 a week. It adds up alot faster than people think..

 

[FoxyWench]

teen pregnancy is not something you can give them a slap on the wrist for and say "oops"

its not like they stole a lollipop or cheated on a test...

how is petting them on the head, telling them "you screwd up its ok we'll help you out" and giving them free daycare teaching them to take responsibility for their actions?!

im not against daycare in schools, im not agsint providing DISCOUNTED daycare for teen mothers...
i am agsint handing it to them for completly free...
just like i think its a terrible idea for the the grammies of these babies to offer to take care of that child all the time for nothing for silly things like "oh i need to go hang out with such and such tonight..." or "oh will you look after the baby this evening, pete's having a party" or "oh i need you to look after baby this afternoon i have chearleading practice"
just like i think "i didnt do my homework last night cause my baby was cranky" shouldnt be an easy way to get a passing grade...

they should have to either pay something for it (again even if its $50.00 a week or something) OR should have to volunteer time working in said daycare to cut the cost of hiring others to do it...same goes for teen fathers!

 

[SarahFair]

"oh i need to go hang out with such and such tonight..." or "oh will you look after the baby this evening, pete's having a party"

Hey...Kyle and I did this.
I mean I stayed home with Beau all day and his mom would come home from work and shed always be like well if yall want to go hang out with some of yalls friends go ahead..hes fine here.
We didnt do it every night but we still went out.

 

[bubbatd]

I just hope that there aren't copy cats from the Gloucester group ! So stupid !!! Accidents are one thing , but planning as a teenager is stupid !!! Also , how many sperm donors actually step up to the plate and support ??? Please kids , be careful ! Wait for your babies when you are mature ! I'm proud of our single Mom's here ....I'm sure it hasn't been easy !

 

[setter-chick]

we have a daycare in our school but its for the Child Psych class to watch them...

 

[Adrienne]

I think that anything that helps a person further their education is beneficial to us as a society. Better to have something in place for the people who do have kids young then to have them not be able to complete their education and become a drain on society.

 

[bubbatd]

^^^^ I agree , but the way to do this is not get pregnant !

 

[Squishy22]

Give me a friggin break. Encouraging kids to have kids? HARDLY. And if thats true, well the kid has issues to begin with. A person is going to get prego no matter what if they wanted to. There not going to say to themselves... "well, my school doesn't have a day care so I change my mind on getting pregnant." YEAH RIGHT!

Knocked up kids need an education, period. They have a child to support now, and that child deserves a parent who had the chance to continue their education. Doesn't anyone think of the CHILDS needs now days? Sheesh.

I'm not even "torn" on this one. The answer is clear.

 

[Adrienne]

^^^^ I agree , but the way to do this is not get pregnant !

True but at least there could be a "fail safe" for when it does happen!