“The correlation of drop out and teen pregnancy is particularly high for young women with mental retardation. Academic failure and leaving school prior to graduation are strong predictors of early pregnancy (Rousso, 2001).” Fine, 2006
I am pretty shocked when reading this finding, but it seems pretty true. When students drop out from school, they start their lives in the real society. Since lack of sexuality education from school, they are more likely to commit sexual behaviors without protection, which leads to a high rate of early pregnancy. Also, once drop out, custody from parents and teachers is missing, teenagers are more likely to be motivated by their “thick desire” to explore sexuality, which has not been fully discussed and explained in schools. I agree with Fine that the current sexuality education in school has an uneven impact on girls, youth of color, teens with disabilities, and LGBTs. Current sexual education in school does not teach girls how to view sexuality critically and equally. Instead, it leads girls to be more curious about sexuality.
School is a very important place for teenagers, so it should act as a main portal for students to build up a critical view of sexuality.
After reading your article, one question came in my mind,
“Why pregnant girls are not allowed in regular school when they identified?” A child who does something illegal can lose their right to participate in public education, but nobody can say getting pregnant is an illegal or there is no legal specific age to become pregnant. This argument is clearly discriminatory in nature, pregnant girls have the same right to education is everyone else; they need the support of the community during pregnancy, not to be shunned away. Should the boy who made her pregnant also stay home, since he’s responsible for the pregnancy as well? Is there any research that proves if school child sees another child pregnant, she will want the same? Teenage pregnancies must be dealt on a social level by addressing the root cause of that problem in the community, not by ignoring them and refusing their rights to education.
I heard that there is a provision for one to one teaching, staying at home or hospital but why? This is the time they need support and moral boost up for both of them.