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Give Me a K-I-D? Give Me a break
Two, four, six, eight! Who does Hempstead appreciate? The school
board, that’s who.
In a flurry of media attention, the entire nation is learning about
the recent dismissal of one fourth of the Hempstead High School
cheerleading squad. That’s right, four of the sixteen most
perky, preppy, pom-pom wielding pupils were pregnant.
Okay, maybe the administrators were concerned for the health of
the mothers; all of that jumping around, excitement and shouting
can’t possibly be in the best interest of an expectant female’s
health, not to mention doing the splits periodically. Or possibly
more concern was for the safety of the budding human lives thriving
in the protection and nourishment of strong, healthy wombs. After
all, the safety of human life is really the most important issue
in this situation, isn’t it?
I guess not. Apparently, upon having an abortion, one of the four
cheerleaders was readmitted to the squad, leaving her bloating buddies
behind in shame. If only they had the money or desire for abortions,
they could be cheering the team on to victory once again. Sounds
ridiculous, doesn’t it? A bit callous, perhaps?
Actually, what we’re dealing with here is the concentration
of several social, moral and political issues occurring in an unfortunate,
yet very realistic situation.
The social issue involved is whether or not high school girls should
be having babies in the first place. Even though there was a time
when pregnant 17- and 18-year old women were considered acceptable,
they were more likely to be married, and therefore less overwhelmed
with responsibilities.
However, in current times, young, high school age mothers are far
less likely to have a responsible mate, thus incurring incredible
pressures on immature, uneducated and probably unemployed young
women. Because the state usually needs to involve itself with financial
aid in these cases, along with many other psychological and sociological
problems of teenage mothering, high school pregnancies are not considered
a good idea.
The moral issue is a simple one, but still the root of heated controversy.
Whether the stance is religious based or due to the social and familial
responsibility necessary, high school kids shouldn’t have
sex.
The Hempstead School Board decided to deal with this moral issue
by dismissing these immoral students from elected positions. I assume
this would include a competent class treasurer, a popular homecoming
queen, and so on.
The idea was to show classmates that there are no rewards for those
students who are with child. A squad member’s father was quoted
as saying, “They aren’t cheerleaders any more, just
cheers.”
Expectant mothers, according to the high school’s moralists,
don’t deserve to be in leadership positions. Even when the
students themselves chose the individuals in the first place. Perhaps
the administrators should elect the cheerleaders and homecoming
queens?
To top is all off, apparently an abortion is just the ticket to
get your elected position back. It seems as though the school system
doesn’t mind so much if you’re pregnant, as long as
you continue to appear moral and terminate the pregnancy.
The other breach of justice is that the partners of these girls
are able to walk around with smiles on their faces, keeping their
elected positions as long as the girlfriends don’t squeal.
Even then, a paternity suit would be necessary for proof.
Politically, we have an enormously complicated mess to sort out.
We all pretty much agree that high school pregnancies are better
off being prevented; we just have to decide how to accomplish such
an endeavor in this widely, and wildly diverse culture.
There are three methods of eliminating high school pregnancy problems:
· Make students not want sex. Forget it. Desire is as natural
as a rutting bull, and teenagers feel it.
· Allow students to desire sex, but make them afraid of it.
This is somewhat effective in particular social groups. Speeding
straight to Hades on brakeless roller blades is an all time favorite.
Contracting painful, disgusting or deadly incurable diseases is
equally scary to others, as well it should be.
· Provide teenagers with the knowledge and protection they
need to make their own decisions. Although it’s difficult
for some to believe, sex has an enormous appeal, particularly to
young people. And teens will continue to have sex until hell dips
below zero.
We must insist on giving teens the knowledge they need through sex
education and counseling – and the protection they need through
careful distribution of prophylactics and other forms of birth control.
Because someday even yell leaders might get pregnant.
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