Posted on 03/22/2006 6:30:06 AM PST by mathprof
"Brilliant! Are you seriously suggesting the same 'schools' that can't manage to teach basic literacy should begin medical referrals and pregnancy monitoring?"
You don't think they are already doing this?
Really...it doesn't take much to give a girl a piece of paper and say "call this number." or for the school nurse to make a call for the girl. It isn't like school nurses are swamped with work.
There's a difference between looking down on someone and raising your eyebrows at something they've said.
And mine are up like Spock's when I hear anyone (not just pregnant teenage girls either) complaining that they aren't getting catered to. It's the wrong attitude.
Pregnancy isn't any easier physically on married women who are out of school, and the world doesn't come to a screeching halt for them either.
"Pregnancy isn't any easier physically on married women who are out of school, and the world doesn't come to a screeching halt for them either."
Colleges and employers help out their pregnant students and employees - I don't know why it is a bad thing for highschools to help out a pregnant kid.
A little kindness - a little compassion- never hurt anyone.
No one said it was.
It is the attitude of the girl that I didn't like.
As for employers helping out, I'd say it depends on the job and what would be considered a reasonable accomodation in that particular place of employment.
I managed a very busy retail shop. The job required being on one's feet helping customers nearly all day. We needed all hands on deck most of the time. If we weren't selling, we were restocking the shelves. I could not change the nature of the job simply because of someone's advancing pregnancy (and there were four pregnancies during my time there). There was no "desk job" to which I could transfer someone who was uncomfortable. That position didn't exist, not even for me.
The ONLY thing I could do was to try to give the pregnant ones more breaks, stick a chair under them whenever possible, and to come to an agreement as a group to try to shoulder more of the running around and lifting ourselves. But it would not be reasonable to expect to do *no* physical labor in a job that requires it, pregnant or not.
"It is the attitude of the girl that I didn't like."
I guess it doesn't bother me so much because I know that many of her classmates snuffed out their baby's lives at the local clinic. Because of that I guess I have no problem trying to accomodate a whiny pregnant girl.
If it helps her continue her schooling and helps her get a start on life, then it will help the baby.
"I'd say it depends on the job and what would be considered a reasonable accomodation in that particular place of employment. "
Sure it does...of course the women have a choice as to what type of environment they want to work in.
"The ONLY thing I could do was to try to give the pregnant ones more breaks, stick a chair under them whenever possible, and to come to an agreement as a group to try to shoulder more of the running around and lifting ourselves. But it would not be reasonable to expect to do *no* physical labor in a job that requires it, pregnant or not."
Luckily, it sounds like these were healthy women who didn't have problem pregnancies.
If they did have problems, they would have had to find a different job - or go on disability.
Such an environment is different than a school environment.
Teachers and administrators are there to help the kids.
When kids have problems - it is their job to help them.
This is true whether the kid has a medical problem, a disability (physical or learning disability) or even emotional problems.
For example...a kid with a learning disability will sometimes have an aide help him understand test questions and help him write down the answers.
A kid with bipolar disorder will report to the nurse throughout the day and receive medication.
A kid with emotional problems will receive counseling from the school psychologist.
I don't know why some folks on this thread get hot and bothered at the notion of a pregnant student getting a helping hand.
This is not an environment like your store....the adults are working there because they are expected to help these kids, and Lord knows,pregnant teenagers are going to need all the help they can get. They have a tough road ahead of them.
This is a test. This only a test. (first post)
Coming through loud and clear.
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