I think the difference would be that it is important to have an education to be employable as an adult and it is important to have a job to be able to support a family. It is not important or necessary when it comes to your responsibilities as a parent to play football or basketball in high school.

 

Wouldn't having a job to support your child be a responsibility? I could see having an after school job and your child being cared for by family while you work. Or how about baby-daddy working after school while baby mama actually cares for the child instead of someone else in the family having to be responsible for their child.

 

As for not playing a sport being a form of punishment....Is it not a punishment when a child gets a D on their report card and can't play sports as a result?

 

 

Yes. But students are in school to learn and participating in extracurricular activities sponsored by the school are a privilege. This is based on their ability to complete the necessary schoolwork & not violate the rules of the school.

 

Being a teen parent should not prohibit them from participating in athletics from the school's perspective.

The academic minimums for eligibility in sports are in place to make sure students are focused on their primary reason for attending school. The two are interrelated because they are both under the authority of the school.

 

Restricting student participation because he or she is a parent would legally be discrimination IMO. I’m not saying that teen parents should all be handing off their newborns so they can go play basketball, but I am saying it is not under the school’s authority to restrict their participation based on being a parent.

 

:thumb:

What if sports is the only chance for the teen parent to get a college education to make a better life for themselves and their child? Providing they have a good support system.

What if sports is the only chance for the teen parent to get a college education to make a better life for themselves and their child? Providing they have a good support system.

 

Good point.

No way Jose!

Rough situation. If the athlete can juggle parenthood and sports and school more power to them.

It's obvious that a girl is going to become a parent because it is kind of hard to hide a pregnancy. However, there are many teen fathers out there that likely go unnoticed by peers/teachers/administrators. Without knowing every teen father, how is it possible to enforce the rule fairly?

 

FWIW, I am totally against a rule banning teenage parents from extra-curriculars. Just wanted to add another point to the discussion.

It's obvious that a girl is going to become a parent because it is kind of hard to hide a pregnancy. However, there are many teen fathers out there that likely go unnoticed by peers/teachers/administrators. Without knowing every teen father, how is it possible to enforce the rule fairly?

 

FWIW, I am totally against a rule banning teenage parents from extra-curriculars. Just wanted to add another point to the discussion.

 

Good point.

Absolutely not!

I'm just going to say this:

 

When I was in high school, one of my best friends became pregnant our senior year of high school. Not only was she banned from sports, she was banned from attending classes at school or attending any school event. We attended an all girls Catholic high school. Yet the father of the child, who's identity was no secret, finished out his senior year at an all boys Catholic high school, continued to play football, and even attended classes at my school (the two schools had a program where some classes such as AP classes were shared between the schools).

 

With the help of a whole host of friends, my friend was able to keep up with her classwork & tests at home, and was able to graduate....but although technically the valedictorian of the class, not allowed to attend the ceremony.

 

If a teen parent has the support system in place to play sports, participate in extra-curricular activities, work, whatever he/she chooses, they should be able to particpate.

 

Sports, in particular, offer opportunites far beyond the time spent playing for one's high school team. That kid may have an opportunity for a scholarship.

 

Extracurriculars teach many things, among them putting others before yourself, time management, leadership and self-discipline.

 

Having a child shouldn't end one's dreams, even if the pregnancy wasn't intended. It may change the path one must lead to achieve them, or it may change direction completely. But if a teen parent can manage it responsibly, and there support system is in place for them to do so, why should we place any more obstacles in their paths?

A lot of schools have daycares that the students can bring their child to while they are at school. I can't believe that this is even a thread. Most grandparents are helping with the grandbaby, if not raising the child. How can a school deny anyone the privilege of participating if they meet the requirements for participation?

I think the difference would be that it is important to have an education to be employable as an adult and it is important to have a job to be able to support a family. It is not important or necessary when it comes to your responsibilities as a parent to play football or basketball in high school.

 

Wouldn't having a job to support your child be a responsibility? I could see having an after school job and your child being cared for by family while you work. Or how about baby-daddy working after school while baby mama actually cares for the child instead of someone else in the family having to be responsible for their child.

 

As for not playing a sport being a form of punishment....Is it not a punishment when a child gets a D on their report card and can't play sports as a result?

I have known several teen parents who have been able to manage parenting, school and sports. For some of these teen parents if those options weren't available they would have never attended college. One teen parent I knew got a full ride scholarship for sports and went on to college. The child was not neglected, and both parents held down jobs during the summer to help pave a future for their child. I don't believe the school has a right to initiate a ban of such a sort. There is no rule in school that says you are not allowed to have a child. That is an issue that has to be dealt with at a family level, not a school one. If a ban was in place I could see a school facing lawsuits. Maybe I am biased. I went to a school where all the pregnant girls were sent. It was just a fact. I saw alot of them go on to higher education and successful jobs. Unfortunately it is not an ideal situation for a teen, but each person can make the best of their situation.

I'm just going to say this:

 

When I was in high school, one of my best friends became pregnant our senior year of high school. Not only was she banned from sports, she was banned from attending classes at school or attending any school event. We attended an all girls Catholic high school. Yet the father of the child, who's identity was no secret, finished out his senior year at an all boys Catholic high school, continued to play football, and even attended classes at my school (the two schools had a program where some classes such as AP classes were shared between the schools).

 

With the help of a whole host of friends, my friend was able to keep up with her classwork & tests at home, and was able to graduate....but although technically the valedictorian of the class, not allowed to attend the ceremony.

 

If a teen parent has the support system in place to play sports, participate in extra-curricular activities, work, whatever he/she chooses, they should be able to particpate.

 

Sports, in particular, offer opportunites far beyond the time spent playing for one's high school team. That kid may have an opportunity for a scholarship.

 

Extracurriculars teach many things, among them putting others before yourself, time management, leadership and self-discipline.

 

Having a child shouldn't end one's dreams, even if the pregnancy wasn't intended. It may change the path one must lead to achieve them, or it may change direction completely. But if a teen parent can manage it responsibly, and there support system is in place for them to do so, why should we place any more obstacles in their paths?

 

 

Excellent example of how the teen mother is treated differently than teen fathers. I think there can also be a distinct difference between private and public school policies on this issue, especially a private school based on religious principles.

I am with FC and RM. When I was in high school, girls were generally encouraged to leave once their pregnancy was evident. The fathers however went on as if nothing was changed.