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Thursday, January 10, 2008
Maternity leave for high school students?
Do absences really matter when there’s a child at stake?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Pregnant students in Denver have asked their high school for at least four weeks of maternity leave “so they can heal, bond with their newborns and not be penalized with unexcused absences,” reports the Denver Post. (Here is the full story.)
The paper explains that normally Colorado public schools use specialized programs or individual education plans to deal with pregnancy.
“Two counselors from East High School approached the school board last month, saying the policy at their school is unfair and inconsiderate because it forces new moms to return to school the day after being discharged from the hospital or face being charged with unexcused absences,” reports the Post.
“East High School administrators could not be reached for comment over the winter break, but district officials say they are reviewing the policy on absences to make it ‘friendlier’ to new moms, said DPS spokesman Alex Sanchez,” the article says.
The more I thought about this, the more it angered me. Can you imagine being asked to return to an 8-hour day of work after leaving the hospital after giving birth?
First off, you’re generally bleeding heavily and your uterus is still contracting. Your breasts are leaking milk. You’re exhausted and freaked out. And this little person needs round-the-clock care. Who do they think is going to take care of that baby if the mother goes off to P.E.?
We, as mothers, know how physically and emotionally tough the transition can be after giving birth — much less for a young girl who has no idea what she has gotten herself into.
It’s a terrible situation. We need to prevent teen pregnancy, but once it’s happened we have to help these young women take care of themselves and their newborns. And I don’t think giving them some time off from school to recover and bond with their infant is going to encourage some girl to go out and get pregnant.
So now you know where I’m standing on this. Tell us what you think? Should schools give maternity leave? How much time?
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