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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-24-08 05:17 PM
Original message
Pregnant Mass. teen says there was no pact
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080624/ap_on_re_us/pregnancy_pact

GLOUCESTER, Mass. - One of the girls who became pregnant at Gloucester High School this year denied Tuesday there was any pact among them to have children, saying instead they decided to help each other make the best of their situations.

Lindsey Oliver refuted the principal's claim that a sharp increase in teen pregnancies — 17 compared to a typical four — was in part because several girls planned to get pregnant so they could raise their babies together.

"There was definitely no pact," Oliver told "Good Morning America." "There was a group of girls already pregnant that decided they were going to help each other to finish school and raise their kids together. I think it was just a coincidence."

Oliver, 17, said she became pregnant by accident and that she and her 20-year-old boyfriend, Andrew Psalidas, a community college student, were using birth control.

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Forkboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-24-08 05:35 PM
Response to Original message
1. This whole story would have been better if there was not only a pact to get pregnant....
...but a pact to sacrifice them to Satan too.

:hide:
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Taverner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-24-08 05:38 PM
Response to Reply #1
3. ...And then eat at Olive Garden afterwards
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ProudToBeBlueInRhody Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 11:12 AM
Response to Reply #3
38. While watching porn
:hide:
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tjwash Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 11:26 AM
Response to Reply #38
40. and smoking while pregnant
:yoiks:
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Tommy_Carcetti Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 02:41 PM
Response to Reply #40
69. While listening to the C-Rap of Chuggo. nt
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Beausoleil Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 11:55 AM
Response to Reply #1
44. And tasing the little "bundles" n/t
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Swamp Rat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 02:40 PM
Response to Reply #1
68. LOLOLOL!!!!
:rofl:
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Forkboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 03:11 PM
Response to Reply #68
72. I just want life to be more entertaining all around.
O8)
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Swamp Rat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 03:15 PM
Response to Reply #72
73. me too
:D




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Forkboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 05:03 PM
Response to Reply #73
81. Can't get much more entertaining than that.
:rofl:
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knitter4democracy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-24-08 05:37 PM
Response to Original message
2. So, they did the right thing and decided to help each other out?
Now, that's a good thing. Good, good thing. I'm proud of them for making their own community.
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-24-08 10:51 PM
Response to Reply #2
4. I wonder if the principle will still have a job after this.
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LisaL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:11 AM
Response to Reply #4
6. And I wonder what the reason is for the 4 times more pregnancies
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 12:12 AM by lizzy
than usual. Hello? And please don't tell me it's because they don't have access to birth control. It's not like there was a change in policy regarding birth control, so that can't be it.
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 01:17 AM
Response to Reply #6
18. Source for that assertation.
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LisaL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 05:13 PM
Response to Reply #18
83. Try reading the OP article.
Then, divide 17 (the number of pregnancies now) by 4 (typical number of pregnancies). You get ~ 4-fold increase in the number of pregnancies.
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 11:19 PM
Response to Reply #83
99.  Source for that assertation.Since you can't seem to tell what post I'm replying to, will copy it...
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 11:20 PM by uppityperson
"And please don't tell me it's because they don't have access to birth control. It's not like there was a change in policy regarding birth control, so that can't be it."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3513953&mesg_id=3516122

Try replying to what was asked.
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knitter4democracy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 09:22 AM
Response to Reply #6
27. Girls deciding to keep their babies and not get abortions?
:shrug:
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marshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 10:01 AM
Response to Reply #27
32. They should also consider the option of adoption
More mature parents with a steady income who aren't anxious to ditch the kid so they can hang out at the mall.
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knitter4democracy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 10:30 AM
Response to Reply #32
34. It's not that great an option.
Studies have shown that it's quite traumatic for the mother, though open adoptions (that aren't as popular with adoptive parents) seem to be better.

People who bring that up often haven't been through it themselves and seen how awful the system is or haven't looked into it.
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marshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 10:44 AM
Response to Reply #34
35. I'm more concerned with the welfare of the child
Yes, the teenage mother's welfare is also a very major concern--but it should not be the primary concern.
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knitter4democracy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 11:22 AM
Response to Reply #35
39. Since they're both children, they should both be taken care of.
If the teen mom is traumatized (as most were before Roe v. Wade when most teen moms were forced to give up their babies and never see or talk to them again), it just spreads the pain and evil.

I think the better answer would be to fight for national health care and national child care.
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marshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 11:51 AM
Response to Reply #39
42. That would hopefully stop some of these ill advised pregnancies
Though in this case they were planned, so passing out birth control wouldn't have helped.

When I was teaching high school we had a program for girls who found themselves pregnant. The year the program started there were eight girls in the program. Three years later there were over sixty girls in the program, including some in middle school.

Adoption was NEVER presented as an option to any of these girls, many of whom were having second and third babies. Like these girls they were purposely getting pregnant.

I still recall a conversation I had with one girl--a senior who was pregnant with her fourth child. I asked her if it was difficult to have such a huge responsibility when she wasn't out of high school yet. Her response was "Everytime I get a different boyfriend I have to see what his baby looks like."

My opinion about this is thus colored by my experience teaching and also by my being an adoptive parent myself.
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 11:55 AM
Response to Reply #42
43. They weren't planned. That's the point of this thread! Are we going too fast for you?
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 12:00 PM by gatorboy
:banghead:

Do you stop and read these things or are you too busy getting your opinion prepared to even bother reading the original post?
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marshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:12 PM
Response to Reply #43
45. One girl ALLEGES they weren't planned
But when you consider that the same girls were coming in repeatedly to take pregnancy tests over and over it puts it in a whole new light.

Often in hind sight (and especially under public scrutiny) recollections of things can get murky.
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:13 PM
Response to Reply #45
46. Oh sure it was only one of the original pregnant girls that said it.
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 12:16 PM by gatorboy
I'm sure you have a much more reliable source. Let's hear it! :crazy:

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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 01:04 PM
Response to Reply #46
61. dupe
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 01:05 PM by gatorboy
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 01:05 PM
Response to Reply #45
62. No other source?
Anything? Bueller?

*crickets*
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marshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 01:25 PM
Response to Reply #62
63. Time, for what it's worth, stands by their story
The mayor has stepped in to do damage control, stifle the principal (who was not allowed at the press conference, apparently) and social worker Todd is back tracking on what she said.

I am waiting to see if Time has tapes to back up what is being backtracked on now.

It doesn't seem that incredible to me that such a pact would happen when bascially the same thing was happening 15 years ago at the high school where I taught.

There's nothin' new under the sun.
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 01:55 PM
Response to Reply #63
64. What a coincidence. Your school too???
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 02:14 PM by gatorboy
We're getting alot of that in this thread. Time interviewed the wrong guy apparently. :eyes: :rofl:

C'mon even Kathleen Kingsbury, the reporter for this "story" is saying that using Sullivan as the main source may not have been the best idea.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25345403

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marshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 02:25 PM
Response to Reply #64
65. It was very controversial at the time
Many teachers felt that the program was started to catch unwanted pregnancies and it developed into numerous planned pregnancies. Frankly I'm a little amazed at the shock expressed over this Massachusetts story. It doesn't seem all that extraordinary to me. Maybe things are different now--as I said I was teaching there from 1990 to 1994.
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 02:35 PM
Response to Reply #65
66. I'd love to see a link to this story!
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 02:38 PM by gatorboy
It would show a pattern. It wasn't that long ago so there must be a report about it. What's the name of the school?

Hell, maybe you and Super Soaker Sniper can compare notes, it's happening at his daughter's school as well!
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marshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 02:52 PM
Response to Reply #66
70. Terrell, Texas
The Terrell Tribune (www.terrelltribune.com) doesn't archive stories back that far, and the Dallas Morning News historical archive didn't have anything (but then I didn't read anything about it in the Dallas Morning News at the time anyway).

I don't know what to tell you beyond that. I was there, teaching at the school, talking to the kids, talking to the other teachers. It's what I lived.
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 02:58 PM
Response to Reply #70
71. Damn, no records.
Isn't that always the way?
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marshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 03:19 PM
Response to Reply #71
74. You can call Terrell ISD if you're really interested
The project is still going on, though it's likely under different leadership now. There was so much disgruntlement about it, I'm sure it has undergone significant change.

Teaching in public school can be a real eye opener.
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 03:38 PM
Response to Reply #74
75. Why waste more time?
:shrug:
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marshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 03:50 PM
Response to Reply #75
76. Don't, if you're not interested
Not everything is available to clicked on, especially something more than five or ten years old. If one is interested in getting information, sometimes it requires research.
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 03:56 PM
Response to Reply #76
77. ...
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 03:58 PM by gatorboy
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 03:58 PM
Response to Reply #76
78. ...
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 04:01 PM by gatorboy
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 04:02 PM
Response to Reply #76
79. Like I said, why waste time researching something that doesn't exist?
No one here can prove any of these "pregnancy pacts". And suddenly they're more popular than American Idol. :shrug:

If you don't have the time to prove your story then that's that...
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marshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 04:31 PM
Response to Reply #79
80. I don't know how the MA will play out, but the other is from my own experience
It's not that unbelievable to me, but then I was there to see it first hand. Since it was my first teaching job I had nothing else to compare it to--it just seemed standard to me because the school didn't seem that much different than any other.
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:26 PM
Response to Reply #42
49. What year was that? What country. And no, this wasn't a planned pact.
Did you read the article? Some may have planned it, but others didn't.

When were you teaching, what country, what school?
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marshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:34 PM
Response to Reply #49
52. my experience
When were you teaching,

early 90s

what country,

U.S.

what school?

suburb of Dallas, Texas
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:38 PM
Response to Reply #52
55. There was something wrong there then.
Working family planning in 90's up here in the pacific northwet, we gave adoption as an option. And did many pg tests on the same people since they were irregular and wanted to make sure they knew if they were or weren't pg asap and then could deal with it in whatever manner they decided.

Give birth and keep the child, adopt, abortion, all were and are choices. That is too bad that it wasn't given a choice there then. I hope it is different now.
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knitter4democracy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 07:44 PM
Response to Reply #42
88. I've taught, too.
I've seen the scared eyes of the preggers teen, worried about how this is all going to work out. A teacher I mentored had a student who was forced to get an abortion by her mother or get thrown out on the street. I had friends in high school who got pregnant and were almost paralyzed with fear for the first several months. Not all teens brush it off so easily as that one you mention.

As for adoption never being mentioned, I seriously doubt that their doctors never, ever asked or brought it up. I seriously doubt that not a single friend asked if it was a possibility. I seriously doubt that not a single parent didn't directly ask his or her daughter about whether she'd read the pamphlet he/she had left on her bed.
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:25 PM
Response to Reply #35
48. Your primary concern is NOT a pregnant teen, but the fetus?
Tell me that I read you wrong. "Yes, the teenage mother's welfare is also a very major concern--but it should not be the primary concern."
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marshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:32 PM
Response to Reply #48
51. I'm talking about a birth, not the pregnancy
Presumably all these girls (whether one argues that the pregnancies were planned or not) are carrying the pregnancy to term. You read correctly, but you misinterpreted what I said. Note that I said "teenage mother" and not "pregnant teenager". I'm talking about after the birth, not before.
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:36 PM
Response to Reply #51
54. Ignoring those assumptions, thank you for clarifying.
Saves me time and energy.
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marshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:40 PM
Response to Reply #54
56. Thanks, I agree at this time the primary concern should be the girls
Once they have given birth, not so much.
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knitter4democracy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 09:21 AM
Response to Reply #4
26. Probably. There's a shortage.
At least, from what I've seen there is in our area, and the darndest people stay in the job when they should've been fired ages ago.
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LisaL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:09 AM
Response to Original message
5. So, there is no apparent reason for a large increase in
pregnancies in that school? They have four times increase in pregnancies, but there is no pact and no explanation?
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question everything Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:14 AM
Response to Reply #5
7. Or that, apparently, some of the girls kept going to the clinic to be tested
for pregnancy?

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LisaL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:26 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. Some starting to be tested for pregnancy in middle school,
according to the article I read.
Pact or no pact, why is this school having a large spike in teen pregnancy?
What, the girls are being influenced by the media, such as movie "Juno" and Jamie Lynn Spears being knocked up?

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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:30 AM
Response to Reply #8
9. Maybe because the school isn't getting contraceptives?
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 12:33 AM by gatorboy
:shrug:

C'mon, are you Principal Sullivan? :P
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LisaL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:45 AM
Response to Reply #9
11. If the school didn't change it's policy on contraceptives, so
how would that work, do tell?
And who are you, a mayor?

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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:48 AM
Response to Reply #11
12. Do you approve of the school's policy on contraceptives or something?
Sorry, I'm not getting ya.
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LisaL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:55 AM
Response to Reply #12
13. Let me make it real simple for you.
If the policy didn't change, then it can not be used to explain a spike in pregnancy rate.
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 01:10 AM
Response to Reply #13
14. Do you honestly, believe these girls literally made a pact?
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 01:29 AM by gatorboy
Like the freakin' Goonies? That they were literally "high-fiving" one another? Who does that? No one. Except maybe kids in an episode of "Saved by the Bell".

They're coming out and saying there was no pact. Sullivan is back tracking...What more do you want? It's an embarrassment to journalism that this "story" got as far as it did.

And again, do you agree with the school's policy on contraceptives?
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 01:13 AM
Response to Reply #14
15. Have you been in the
FLDS threads? Your "friend" is quite active there also. Which is amusing, reading this thread.
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ismnotwasm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 01:15 AM
Response to Reply #15
16. Things that make you go hmm
I caught that as well
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 01:20 AM
Response to Reply #15
19. What are the FLDS threads?
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 01:22 AM by gatorboy
I'm dumb. :shrug:

EDIT:No wait. I Googled the internets and just got un-dumbed. Send me a link! :D
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LisaL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 05:14 PM
Response to Reply #15
84. Oh really.
So, do you expect CPS to show up at that school and remove all the children for their own protection?
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 09:58 PM
Response to Reply #84
92. No. You were the one screaming for that.
You must be getting you and I mixed up, or else are projecting. :shrug:
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:20 PM
Response to Reply #13
47. No, but random statistic variation can.
It's not like we're dealing with a large sample here.

If something's absurd on its surface, it should be greated with at least skepticism.

A lot of people really made themselves look stupid with this issue.
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 01:15 AM
Response to Reply #11
17. Please post a source showing the school didn't change it's policy and there
were contraceptives available.
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LisaL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 05:17 PM
Response to Reply #17
85. No one said anything about school policy on contraceptives
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 05:22 PM by lizzy
being changed (to the best of my knowledge). I would think change in a school policy on contraceptives, if such did take place, would have been the first, and most obvious thing to blame. So, pardon me if I think one of those many reporters would have mentioned something about any changes to the school policy on contraceptives.
By the way, I have never claimed the contraceptives are available. Just that I don't think their availability changed from past years.
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 09:59 PM
Response to Reply #85
93. have you a source for that assertation beyond your own assumption?
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LisaL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 10:12 PM
Response to Reply #93
95. No, I don't.
Maybe the fact that I stated "IF the school didn't change it's policy on contraceptives" should have given you a clue.
By the way, I think it's a pretty good assumption, considering I have not seen anything indicating the policy changed recently.
So, excuse me if I will go on assuming that, unless you have any evidence otherwise.
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 10:20 PM
Response to Reply #95
98. You just go right on assuming whatever your little head wants.
Assumptions always get you so far, and no need to find out the facts when it's just so easy to assume. Can't prove a negative? Hey, just Assume!

Because there has not been publication of a change in school policy, you will assume there hasn't. Because there hasn't been publicity about alien abductions and probings not happening, assume that is true also.

And don't forget that all those kids need a good talking to to get them to shape up and to inspire Confidence in the Nurse so they will return again later.

If it makes you happy, just go on and assume.
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:40 AM
Response to Reply #7
10. How does that prove that they wanted to get pregnant?
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 12:42 AM by gatorboy
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Super Soaker Sniper Donating Member (332 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 01:33 AM
Response to Reply #10
20. May not prove anything
but a contraceptive policy is useless if a girl wants to get pregnant. I have two teenaged daughters and while it may not be the most honest way to go about it, I keep tabs on their My Space pages. I am on their friends lists but they do not know it is me. I have gleaned some good information from going on there and gotten some head-ups on a couple of things and also made decisions on who they can hang out with and who they can't.

As is the case in most junior high and high schools there are many girls who have gotten pregnant. What I found absolutely shocking is that most wanted to get pregnant. A contraceptive policy will do nothing in those cases.

The policy in our school is teaching Abstinence. I am a firm believer that Abstinence Education works. Put into practice, 100% Abstinence is 100% effective 100% of the time just like condoms, when used have a stellar performance record in preventing pregnancy.
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 01:50 AM
Response to Reply #20
21. Again you give me no proof these girls wanted to get pregnant.
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 01:55 AM by gatorboy
No proof. Only the word of a man very few seem to trust at the moment.


Hey, at least you admit to being pro-abstinence...See how easy that is, Lizzy? :P
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Super Soaker Sniper Donating Member (332 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 01:58 AM
Response to Reply #21
22. I said I could not prove anything
and without an admission from the girls themselves proving it would be impossible. I was not talking about those girls but about the girls in my daughters' school.

You completely missed the point of my point on abstinence education. If what is taught to kids about abstinence is put into practice by them, it is 100% effective 100 percent of the time. If the school system has a condom policy and the students practice it, there will be at least a 97% success rate. The same for contraceptive education. But if it is not put into practice it will never work.
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 02:07 AM
Response to Reply #22
23. Oh sure, so now you want to argue the point using a situation that we definitely can't prove.
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 02:24 AM by gatorboy
"Yeah, yeah! It happens at my daughter's school too! No lie! Believe it!"...Or not.

Maybe "Time" should've talked to you! :)
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lolly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 02:30 AM
Response to Reply #22
24. Ah, there's the rub
If what is taught to kids about abstinence is put into practice by them,


There is much virtue in "if"

Or in this case, not much.

More and more evidence shows that abstinence only programs have either no effect on teen pregnancy rates, or a detrimental effect, since teens don't learn about ways to prevent pregnancy or STDs, but being teens, go ahead and have sex anyway.
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Hekate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 02:50 AM
Response to Reply #22
25. I get what you are saying, but you have to highlight, bold, & underline the IF...
Back in the 1960s "abstinence only" certainly worked for me in high school -- I was opposed to being forced to give up my firstborn for adoption, which is what would have happened. There was no birth control available to girls of my age, and if my boyfriend had purchased condoms at the drug store everyone in town would have known. My own mother was very open with me about sex and educated me, and that helped my decision-making process a great deal.

But as I later discovered, almost the entire adoption industry in the first half of the 20th century was fueled by high school age white girls, so it seems an awful lot of girls and their boyfriends didn't get the message that abstinence works 100% of the time, and this was well before the so-called sexual revolution.

I'm not exactly sure if you and I have come to the same conclusions about this. In my case, I have been a supporter of Planned Parenthood for over 40 years now on the basis that they prevent abortions by preventing unwanted pregnancies. They do teen education and teen outreach that helps kids decide to delay sexual activity until they're ready for the responsibility, and to know what measures to take to protect themselves from disease and pregnancy when they do decide to become sexually active. Sex ed by middle school, reinforced in high school, should be practically mandatory in this day and age. This is one genie that isn't going back into the bottle.

Hekate
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knitter4democracy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 09:26 AM
Response to Reply #20
28. Sure, abstinence works, but so does birth control.
I grew up in an evangelical church, and I waited for Hubby, but not every person is going to make that same decision. The problem with abstinence education (having taught in Catholic schools) is that they don't teach the kids enough about birth control as well. Studies have shown that teens who go through abstinence ed are less likely to use condoms or be on the pill. That's bad. Since most kids have sex on the spur of the moment, I would think that teaching them how to use condoms properly (male and female) and making sure they have them would be better than just yelling at them not to do it. My mom made sure I knew how to put on a condom and what to do about birth control and how to protect myself from disease, even though our church screamed abstinence every freakin' second we were there.
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Super Soaker Sniper Donating Member (332 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 09:58 AM
Response to Reply #28
31. Abstinence AND Birth Control both work.
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 09:59 AM by Super Soaker Sniper
I am not saying the Abstinence was better or a solution. I am not saying that abstinence education would even work as far as changing a kid's attitude about sex at all. What I am saying about sex education in schools, being abstience or condoms or birth control, any one of them only works if they are put into practice. The whole "you can lead a horse to water" thing. What if said horse insists on being a jackass?

Any program, I don't care what it is, will bring down teen pregnancy rates if it is put into practice. That is the point I am trying to not make, not that one works better than the other.

As far the ones demanding proof about why those girls got pregnant, not every girl who gets pregnant gets pregnant not knowing that a kid could be a consequence. If a girl knows that a pregnancy can result from her actions and does it anyway, then the school is not at fault. How can it be if the consequences were spelled out for them already?
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knitter4democracy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 10:28 AM
Response to Reply #31
33. You're forgetting that they're teens.
Teens are notorious for not understanding or anticipating consequences. You're saying that, since a girl should know that sex can get her pregnant, she should know to abstain. Sure, that works for some, but the reality is, if she decides to have sex in the heat of the moment, she's not thinking about whether she's ovulating or not. She's thinking about sex and the right now. Hell, most adults do that, too.
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Super Soaker Sniper Donating Member (332 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 10:45 AM
Response to Reply #33
36. Since she is a teen,
and knowing she could get pregnant has sex. Knowing she is ovulating is not going to stop her either. No amount of education, no matter what it is, is going to work on all teenage girls. By the very fact that it is aimed at teenaged girls it stand to reason that some failure will result. I have gone through the teenaged girl thing three times. My son was a welcomed relief. With teens, sometimes, about somethings, they are convinced that they are bulletproof. It can't happen to them.

So what if Mrs. Widebottom in health class says that inserting protusion A into orifice B could cause a pregnancy. It won't happen to me because I won't let it! How can you deal with an attitude like that?

In a more perfect world a young woman would absorb this information and if she decided to not remain chaste she would at least give full and deep thought to her actions and take precautions before committing any actions and lower the chance of any negative consequences. But we don't live in a perfect world. Hell, in my 40's I still get a brain cramp and do things I knew had a chance of not working out. If my dumb ass with 40 years of experience and wisdom screws the pooch a teen will just as much.
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Hekate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:54 PM
Response to Reply #33
59. Not sure where to interject this, but so far the focus has been all on the GIRLS....
....who didn't conceive by the Holy Ghost.

Who's catching up with those randy dandy teenage boys and putting a leash on THEM? Besides Planned Parenthood and their teenage outreach, I mean.

Btw, Knitter, I love your Mom. Mine would have done the same with condoms if there had been AIDS when I was in high school (1961-1965). As it was, since I read everything in the house and the Pill was a hot topic in Time magazine, all she had to do was be available for my interminable questions. She was very very good for her time -- I was about 10 when I asked her when the next baby was coming along and she casually let it be known that Dad had had a vasectomy. :toast: Go, Moms.

Hekate

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LisaL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 05:19 PM
Response to Reply #59
86. Not all the fathers might be teenage boys.
One alleged father was described as a 24 years old homeless man.
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Hekate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 08:10 PM
Response to Reply #86
90. It begs the question of what to do with the teen boys. Any ideas? Sex ed? Chastity belts? nt
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 08:10 PM by Hekate
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knitter4democracy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 07:48 PM
Response to Reply #59
89. My mom is a tad unusual.
:)

She always made it clear that there's no stupid question, and these days, now that we're both happily married, we talk about our sex lives in addition to everything else. I know not everyone has that, but Mom's always been bluntly honest with me. I'm trying to do the same for our kids, though sometimes they say the darndest things. I can just imaging what my son said this last year in kindergarten . . .

I agree on the dads. One of the articles said the dad was 20 while the mom was 17. Hello, jailbait! How many of the dads are teens--and just how many are adults?
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question everything Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 11:06 AM
Response to Reply #10
37. If a girl comes to be tested, the nurse should at least talk to her
and provide some guidance. "I see that you are sexually active. Have you considered protection against STD, at least? What are you and your partners using?

When she comes a second time - a more stern discussion.

The school does not have to provide contraception - if this is such a horrible choice - but the nurse can at least provide information.

When more than one girls come several times - as was reported - then something is definitely wrong. I don't know about a "pact" but something does not sound right.

I remember in the 70s there were stories - never found out whether they were true - about teens getting pregnant so that they could be provided with an appartment of their own.

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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 11:49 AM
Response to Reply #37
41. Do you know what happened to the nurses?
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:35 PM
Response to Reply #37
53. having been in that position, working with sexually active teens
"a more stern discussion" doesn't work. More facts, more proof, get the emotions involved, that works more, but still it is not a sure thing. Being stern doesn't work. Most school nurses do give out this info, but there is a problem. Many schools have had to cut wayyyyyyyyyy back on extras like nurses, due to NCLB mandatory testing bs.

Having worked family planning, I'd rather have girls get tested when they are concerned, than assume they aren't pregnant and either stress more, or not deal with it if they are. Some teens, some women of all ages, are irregular and get tested regularly.

Nothing wrong with getting tested, esp if you are a concerned or responsible person. Better to find out sooner than later.

Your 70's story sounds like "welfare queen" gossip. I am sure it has happened, but not widly.
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gatorboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:48 PM
Response to Reply #53
57. The sad thing is, some people in this thread want desperately for it to be a pact.
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 12:49 PM by gatorboy
If only to solidify their position against contraceptives in schools. Because, after all if there was a pact, that means they wanted to get pregnant, if they wanted to get pregnant that means they wouldn't have used contraceptives in the first place and if they weren't going to use contraceptives in the first place, no point in having them in the schools.

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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:58 PM
Response to Reply #57
60. Yes. I see a couple other things also.
Any female that engages in sex should do so ONLY to get pregnant. Any female engaging in sex does so because they WANT to get pregnant. Contraceptive accessibility encourages sex because people thing they can have sex without getting pregnant, sex without responsibilities. And you know how people are, esp those having sex, they aren't going to use those contraceptives, are going to have irresponsible sex and get pregnant. Which serves them right. And anyone who gets a pg test really deep down inside wants to be pregnant. Otherwise they wouldn't have sex.

If having contraceptives accessible doesn't stop all pregnancies, they shouldn't be accessible because obviously they don't work.
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question everything Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 05:08 PM
Response to Reply #53
82. It is not just the pregnancy. It is STD
why is this topic not being discussed?

Haven't we heard recently about the high percentage of teens who are infected?

If a girl keeps coming again and again to be tested, why can't the nurse ask her what is going on?

How much do these tests cost? How come school cut back on nurses but not on pregnancy tests?
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 09:47 PM
Response to Reply #82
91. Why do you assume the nurse didn't?
Why do you assume the nurse didn't discuss STDs? Why do you assume a nurse didn't ask what is going on?

How come schools cut back on librarians but not on books in the library?
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LisaL Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 05:29 PM
Response to Reply #53
87. Nothing wrong with being tested?
What if the girl below the age of consent shows up? Should somebody at least find out how old the boyfriend is? After all, there could be a crime of statutory rape being committed.
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 10:07 PM
Response to Reply #87
94. Well of course they should. And give them a scolding too for their irresponsible behavior.
Edited on Wed Jun-25-08 10:08 PM by uppityperson
Make sure they don't come back if they need help. That's a really good idea. That will help make sure they don't over work the nurse or run out of pg tests or contraception. Perhaps you could do some research and see what the state laws are about reporting possible statutory rape. Then you would know which states to be outraged against.

And no. Nothing wrong with being responsible and getting tested to find out if you are pregnant if you are a sexually active female. Guess you think different.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 02:37 PM
Response to Reply #37
67. No such thing as the 'school nurse' in most localities.
There is one county wide RN who travels from school to school, but when a child goes to the 'nurse's office', it's generally called 'the clinic' and the person staffing it is a 'clinic aide'.

I for one would go batshit crazy if one of those aides tried to counsel my child on birth control. They're simply not qualified. Not in the least.
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uppityperson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:29 PM
Response to Reply #7
50. When my menses were irregular I got tested regularly.
Was using contraception but wanted to make sure. And no, I had NO bloody desire to be pregnant.

Do not assume that people who get tested WANT to be pregnant. Having worked in a family planning clinic, and done repeated tests on some of the same teens, it just aint' so. It can be, but generally not.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 09:26 AM
Response to Reply #5
29. They just had a bumper crop of stupid this year
:nuke:
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spanone Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 09:43 AM
Response to Original message
30. but it did make for good teevee for a few days....
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spanone Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 12:52 PM
Response to Original message
58. but wasn't it a great media spin???? what a pathetic media we have
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Rabrrrrrr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 10:14 PM
Response to Original message
96. There is no such thing as pregnancy by accident.
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theboss Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-25-08 10:18 PM
Response to Original message
97. No pact...but plenty of bangin'
I can't decide if I would have preferred this school or the one where the baseball team ran a train on the chubby teacher.
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