Schoolgirls form "pregnancy pact"

[Aontan 0]

17 schoolgirls in pregnancy pact

Friday, 20 June 2008 15:56

A group of schoolgirls in the US state of Massachusetts have reportedly made a pact to get pregnant together.

Time magazine reported that 17 girls at Gloucester High School are expecting babies, which is more than four times the number of pregnancies the 1,200-student school had last year.

Nearly half the expecting students, none older than 16, confessed to making a pact to get pregnant and raise their babies together, according to Joseph Sullivan the school principal.

The father of one of the babies is a 24-year-old homeless man.

According to the Boston Globe newspaper, other men involved in the pregnancies are in their mid-20s.

This fact prompted Mayor Carolyn Kirk of Gloucester to ask about statutory rape charges at last month's School Committee meeting.

None of the girls who made the alleged pregnancy pact or their parents would speak about the reports.

Time Magazine, who reported the case initially, wrote that Gloucester High provides on-site childcare and healthcare facilities for pupils with children.

Story from RTÉ News:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0620/gloucester.html

quote>

Anyone else think this is wrong on so many levels..?

[IDS2 3,346]

Yup...that's like "hey lets go jump the Grand Canyon without a bungee cord!" Who knows who these guys are.

[krbe 193]

Abstinence, I say! How could their parents fail so completely...

[hym 358]

The longer I live the more I question humanity's ability to reason meaningfully.  None of these guys thought about the socio-economic or medical issues that this would cause?  Or how about the fact that the child would have a better chance to survive and do well in life if they had waited a few more years?  I guess it's too much to ask for humans to use their brains.

Honestly?  How the heck can a bunch of teenage girls (and the X number of guys, but that's a different issue) reason this to be a good idea?  Assuming any reasoning at all took place...

[crayzzgoalee 0]

homeless man ha. She was probably the ugly fat one in the group that couldn't get any guys so she paid the homeless man.......

[JanYpe 17]

Originally posted by: hym

Honestly?  How the heck can a bunch of teenage girls (and the X number of guys, but that's a different issue) reason this to be a good idea?  Assuming any reasoning at all took place...quote>

I think they reasoned that this would be their part in the great battle for school rights.

[Voar Tok 4]

Thought I'd post a more detailed story before I say anything else.

Teen ‘pregnancy pact’ has 17 girls expecting

Many moms-to-be at Mass. high school are aged under-16

MSNBC News Services

updated 2:41 a.m. CT, Fri., June. 20, 2008

BOSTON - An investigation has been launched into an apparent teenage "pregnancy pact" that has at least 17 high-school girls expecting babies, four times more than last year, including many aged 16 or younger.

A high school health clinic in the city of Gloucester, Mass., became suspicious after seeing a surge in girls seeking pregnancy tests. Local officials said Thursday nearly half of those who became pregnant appear to have entered into a pact to have their babies together over the year.

"Some girls seemed more upset when they weren't pregnant than when they were," Gloucester High School principal Joseph Sullivan told Time magazine, which broke news of the pact on its Web site.

Some of the girls reacted to the news they were pregnant with high fives and plans for baby showers, Sullivan said. One of the fathers "is a 24-year-old homeless guy," Sullivan told the magazine. Others were boys in the school.

Statutory rape charges?

Superintendent Christopher Farmer confirmed the deal to WBZ-TV, saying the girls had "an agreement to get pregnant."

He said the mothers-to-be are generally "girls who lack self-esteem and have a lack of love in their life."

Carolyn Kirk, mayor of the port city 30 miles northeast of Boston, said authorities are looking at whether to pursue statutory rape charges. "We're at the very early stages of wrestling with the complexities of this problem," she said.

"But we also have to think about the boys. Some of these boys could have their lives changed. They could be in serious, serious trouble even if it was consensual because of their age — not from what the city could do but from what the girls' families could do," she told Reuters.

Under Massachusetts law, it is a crime to have sex with anyone under the age of 16.

The ‘Juno’-Jamie Lynn effect?

"At the very least these men should be held responsible for financial support, if not put in jail for statutory rape as the mayor has suggested," Greg Verga, chairman of the Gloucester School Committee, told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Nationwide, teen pregnancies are showing signs of rising after steadily declining from 1991 to 2005. This trend was highlighted Thursday when Britney Spears' 17-year-old sister Jamie Lynn, star of Nickelodeon's popular TV show "Zoey 101," gave birth to a baby girl, according to People magazine.

"The data seem to be indicating that the declines that we had seen through the 1990s are coming to a close," said David Landry, a researcher at the Guttmacher Institute, a New York-based nonprofit group focusing on reproductive issues.

Birth rates for teenagers aged 15 to 17 rose by 3 percent in 2006, the first increase since 1991, according to preliminary data released in December by the National Center for Health Statistics.

Landry cautioned against attributing the trend to Hollywood following the recent hit movie "Juno," in which a teenager gets pregnant and decides to have the baby, and "Knocked Up," a comedy about a one-night stand.

"The trend emerged before those movies," he said.

In Gloucester, the 1,200-student school administered 150 pregnancy tests to students in the past academic year. The school forbids the distribution of condoms and other contraception without parental consent — a rule that prompted the school's doctor and nurse to resign in protest in May.

"But even if we had contraceptives, that pact shows that if they wanted to get pregnant, they will get pregnant. Whether we distribute contraceptives is irrelevant," said Verga. quote>

It's an interesting situation here.  I think there are definitely going to be rape charges filed because of the fact that some of the guys involved are legal adults.  The difficult part is what to do about legal charges between the the boys involved and the girls who were under sixteen.  There's some sense to be had in filing charges on them too because, well, it is the law and that's technically what should happen.  But then there's the other thing about whether some of the onus should lie on the girls because they were specifically trying to get pregnant.  Ultimately, I don't think anything will happen to the girls because, from my understanding, they aren't legally capable of consenting.

I don't know.  Either way you slice it, it seems that the fault is split (not necessarily equally or even in some cases at all) between the boys and the girls.  As for the people like that 24 year old homeless man - he should have known better and probably deserves whatever he gets.

[saltandsauce 0]

they all got pregnant - TOGETHER!!!!

[fukuda 351]

Guess "pact to get pregnant" is an euphemism

Erm, anyway, rape charges? They pacted it no?

[Voar Tok 4]

Well, the one thing you have to understand is that, at least here in America, anyone under the age of consent is legally incapable of consenting to sex. Even if they planned it, promised the guy that he wouldn't get in trouble, etc. - if someone else found out, he could be hauled off to jail and there'd be very little he could do about it. That, and while the law is the same, in reality, it's much easier to convict a guy of rape than it is to convict a woman of rape even if guy or gal were obviously guilty.

[ILL Tonkso 1,236]

Originally posted by: Voar Tok Well, the one thing you have to understand is that, at least here in America, anyone under the age of consent is legally incapable of consenting to sex. Even if they planned it, promised the guy that he wouldn't get in trouble, etc. - if someone else found out, he could be hauled off to jail and there'd be very little he could do about it. That, and while the law is the same, in reality, it's much easier to convict a guy of rape than it is to convict a woman of rape even if guy or gal were obviously guilty.quote>

Same here, there was a case a few years back where a 19 y/o girl slept with her 15 y/o boyfriend. The family of the boy were furious that the girl didn't get into any trouble, that no one cared when if it was the other way round, the boy would have ended up in prison.

It amazes me as well the fact that a woman raping a man doesn't make the news when a man raping a woman does. Woman rape men all the time, I believe one western nation (Was it germany I forget) has a higher woman raping men statistic than men raping woman.

Now I am all for equal rights between the sexes, but when I saw equal, I mean EQUAL. Pregnancy aside I believe either way, its rape.

Went a little off topic there, sorry, this subject really grinds my gears.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: Aontan

Anyone else think this is wrong on so many levels..? 

quote>

 

I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again:  What is wrong with people?

 

The father of one of the babies is a 24-year-old homeless man.

According to the Boston Globe newspaper, other men involved in the pregnancies are in their mid-20s.

quote>

 

This is actually very common.  It used to be that, when a teenage girl got pregnant, the father was assumed to be a teenage boy.  Statistically, that is not the case.  In most cases, the father is a man in his 20s.

 

I realize the whole “age of consent” issue can be a tricky one.  In many states, the age of consent is 16 and, if one party is 15 and the other is 17, it is treated as statutory rape.  That seems a bit extreme to me.  In my view, that is two teenagers fooling around, not an adult preying on a teen.

 

But, in the case of a 24 year old and a 15 year old, I think statutory rape charges are appropriate.

 

Time Magazine, who reported the case initially, wrote that Gloucester High provides on-site childcare and healthcare facilities for pupils with children. quote>

 

I have mixed feelings about high schools having on-site childcare.  On one hand, it’s a good thing for students to finish high school.  It used to be that pregnant teenagers usually dropped out of school, which started a whole cycle of poverty for both the mother and child.

 

But these girls felt it appropriate to look for each other for support to raise their kids.  On some level, they are assuming that the babies’ fathers are not going to stick around.   Sounds like they didn’t even attempt to find fathers that would stick around.   That says something very sad about society.

[Muck308 55]

Women raping men will never become a bigger deal than vice versa as far as media attention is concerned. And let's be honest, in order for intercourse to ensue, the man has to be aroused. I wouldn't get aroused if someone was trying to rape me. Wow. That's just one of those sentences you never think you're going to have to use.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: Muck308

I wouldn't get aroused if someone was trying to rape me. Wow.  quote>

errr . . . maybe, maybe not.   Correct me if I'm wrong but guys often become aroused when they don't plan to be.  (--- insert Eddie Murphy comedy routine about algebra class here ---)

Granted an algebra class and a rape situation are totally different.   The point is, in most cases, it is not that difficult to get a young male body to respond.

[ILL Tonkso 1,236]

Originally posted by: Muck308 Women raping men will never become a bigger deal than vice versa as far as media attention is concerned. And let's be honest, in order for intercourse to ensue, the man has to be aroused. I wouldn't get aroused if someone was trying to rape me. Wow. That's just one of those sentences you never think you're going to have to use.quote>

Actually the man doesnt need to be aroused at all. They use drugs or get them blind drunk.

[PhilsCafe 8]

The age of consent in Massachusetts is 16. So I don't see how they want to press charges against the men... I mean, if it was a pact, the girls probably wanted to get pregnant, maybe without the guy even knowing. If there were younger girls, of course the men have to be punished.

I don't know, maybe sexual education in school comes too late... maybe kids should be taught about the responsibilities of being parents, contraception, state laws etc. from an earlier age. Because it's a fact that teenagers have sex before the age of 16. In fact, in the U.S. 45 to 48 percent of teenagers aged 14-15 years already had sexual intercourse (according to this fact sheet)...  even if it is unlawful in some states.

EDIT: I just realized from the introduction that none of them were above 16. This doesn't affect my 2nd statement though. Maybe SkiGeek is right though and the law is a little too strict. Why to criminalize nearly 50% of an age group? Some states allow 13-16 year-olds to have sex with up to a 3 yrs older person.

[sedimenjerry 1]

many were under 16 and the others were probably under 18 so it would be illegal anyways

[Voar Tok 4]

Originally posted by: PhilsCafe

EDIT: I just realized from the introduction that none of them were above 16. This doesn't affect my 2nd statement though. Maybe SkiGeek is right though and the law is a little too strict. Why to criminalize nearly 50% of an age group? Some states allow 13-16 year-olds to have sex with up to a 3 yrs older person.quote>

Well, I know a number of states do this, but I'll use Texas as an example since it's the one where I've actually looked up what the law says on it.  Having sex with anyone under the age of 14 is statutory rape straight up.  No ifs, ands, or buts.  Age of consent is 17, which means that anyone 17 and over is technically committing statutory rape if their with someone who is less than 17.  However, once you get to be 14, you can have sex with anyone at least your age and younger than 17, and so long as it is consensual, no crime has been committed.

Now, for anyone who thinks that sounds really complicated, it's actually pretty sensible.  It is impossible to keep teenagers from, to use Ski's wording, fooling around, and so long as it is consensual, it's overkill to be locking them up for it.  Now, it's still kind of tricky when you have one teenager on one side of the consent line and the other one still not old enough yet.

Originally posted by: Muck308 Women raping men will never become a bigger deal than vice versa as far as media attention is concerned. And let's be honest, in order for intercourse to ensue, the man has to be aroused. I wouldn't get aroused if someone was trying to rape me. Wow. That's just one of those sentences you never think you're going to have to use.quote>

Most guys don't treat that as rape, which leads to one of the problems there.  Something like that is usually looked upon as being a rite of passage.

[Deionn 137]

I maybe 13 but I know alot about the world we live in. These girls didn't have any attention or felt that no one ever payed attention to them. The sad thing about: It's true. Adults always look and look away shaking their head at young people. You used to be the same exact way. I don't disagree or agree with these girls for what they did. But it was sure one heck of a way to get some attention. You never know how the babies may come out! They could have good lives and well deserve it! I was born when my mother was 17 so I know exactly what these babies are gonna go through. I lived a very same life as other kids. That's my opinion. Burn me and I burn you.

[Explodingsims 3]

Don't....don't tell me they're blaming this on Celebrity trends...or that the girls were trying to emulate them...

Where did they thing this was a good idea.

I don't think they understand what is involved in motherhood. That they have to devote all their time to their child, and that it is HARD. They think this is going to be a fun, easy time, and that it's going to be just like in the movies or TV, well they are wrong.

Once again, where did this seem like a good idea?

[Muck308 55]

Skigeek; that's an excellent point. But regardless, it requires some form of participation on behalf of the man. Unless... as Illtonkso mentioned, the man was drugged. (Which I didn't know about btw). But rape is an atrocity no matter who the parties involved are. This thread is depressing me. And so are America's school children. Shouldn't you all be reading Lord of the Flies and huffing paint?

[Voar Tok 4]

Ya know, huffing paint ain't much better than becoming a teenage parent.

EDIT: Not to mention that the insinuation there is actually kind of insulting.

[Patricius Maximus 236]

Well, the babies might turn out good and they might not. However, I don't think it is as wrong as it is bizzare. I think it is strange for seventeen 15 or 16 year olds to just decide they're going to be pregnant and raise their babies together. Next, they go and make a 20-something homeless man the father of one of them. I really don't understand it .

Why did they pick a homeless man 10 years older than them? Why did they want to raise the babies together? And what plans did they have for high school or furthur education? And why did they want to do it in the first place?

But then, Humans don't appear to be a very rational species.

[xmike1991 2]

I really wish people would stop blaming movies like 'Juno' for this happening. Id like to think people have more sensability than that. Their childs not gonna go run off and watch it and come out saying i want a baby.

my 2p

[darren 7]

Originally posted by: ILL Tonkso

Originally posted by: Voar Tok 

I believe one western nation (Was it germany I forget) has a higher woman raping men statistic than men raping woman.

.quote>

 

moves to germany

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: Voar Tok

Well, I know a number of states do this, but I'll use Texas as an example since it's the one where I've actually looked up what the law says on it.  Having sex with anyone under the age of 14 is statutory rape straight up.  No ifs, ands, or buts.  Age of consent is 17, which means that anyone 17 and over is technically committing statutory rape if their with someone who is less than 17.  However, once you get to be 14, you can have sex with anyone at least your age and younger than 17, and so long as it is consensual, no crime has been committed.

Now, for anyone who thinks that sounds really complicated, it's actually pretty sensible.  It is impossible to keep teenagers from, to use Ski's wording, fooling around, and so long as it is consensual, it's overkill to be locking them up for it.  Now, it's still kind of tricky when you have one teenager on one side of the consent line and the other one still not old enough yet. quote>

Yes, that is what I was trying to say; it's overkill to lock up teenagers who were having consensual sex.   I'd like the law to recognize an age difference so I think the Texas law makes sense.

Originally posted by: deion30296

I maybe 13 but I know alot about the world we live in. These girls didn't have any attention or felt that no one ever payed attention to them. The sad thing about: It's true. quote>

I believe you have an excellent point here.

Adults always look and look away shaking their head at young people. quote>

Not always but it does happen all too frequently.

You never know how the babies may come out! They could have good lives and well deserve it! I was born when my mother was 17 so I know exactly what these babies are gonna go through. I lived a very same life as other kids. quote>

I have known kids in similar situations who have turned out well.  It's a rough road, though.

Originally posted by: Explodingsims

I don't think they understand what is involved in motherhood. That they have to devote all their time to their child, and that it is HARD. They think this is going to be a fun, easy time, and that it's going to be just like in the movies or TV, well they are wrong.  quote>

Good point.  It will be interesting to see how the new TV show, the Baby Borrowers, turns out.  Basically, it's teenagers playing house with a real live baby.  It may be a jolt of reality.

Originally posted by: Muck308

Skigeek; that's an excellent point. But regardless, it requires some form of participation on behalf of the man. Unless... as Illtonkso mentioned, the man was drugged. (Which I didn't know about btw). But rape is an atrocity no matter who the parties involved are. quote>

It is possible to drug a man and then use an electroejaculator to coerce his participation without his knowledge.  (I imagine you don't want the details on that.  It's used on cattle all the time.)

I certainly agree:  rape is an atrocity no matter who the parties are.

Shouldn't you all be reading Lord of the Flies and huffing paint?quote>

No, no one should be huffing paint, unless they want a quick way to fry their brain.

Originally posted by: Patricius Maximus

But then, Humans don't appear to be a very rational species.

quote>

You got that right.

[panthersimcity4 162]

Wow... and I was just thinking my fellow teenagers couldn't get any stupider.

Do these girls realize how hard it is to raise children at their age? AND go to school? AND have a job to make money for their child?

[patriots_1228 51]

This is so sad it's funny.

And yea, im a bad person for saying that.

[Ntq€310 1]

It's painfully obvious they didnt think this out, it's not like the movies, or like on tv, it's really tough to raise a child and get a good education. it also seems that they were desprete, i mean a homeless guy around 8 or so years older than you. I just wonder where they got the idea " it's good to be a pregnet teenager".

[Goldfish4209 9]

How absurd. It would have been more productive to make a pact to jump on whales in the way of harpoons. No resources wasted on unwanted babies in an overpopulated world.