Should public High School provide day care?

Question

I was talking with some friends and we had debate whether or not the high school should provide child care for teens that decide to give birth. There was so many different opinions I thought it would be cool to ask it to you all.

Answer 1

First off, it would be best if there was no need for this question. That being said, there is great need for teen parents to get educations to better their lives and the lives of their children. These pregnancies and births cause alot of teen parents to have to drop out of school to support their new families, either because they need the money or they have nowhere they can use for child care. i think that there should be a government program that assists the schools with childcare issues, one that not only helps provide childcare but also employs the teen parents part time, the teen parents take turns during different class periods of the day helping with the care. Maybe it would take a little longer to graduate, but summer school has got to be better than no education. Maybe a program like this could be extended after school and during the weekends to allow these teens to get work hours, some may have other jobs while others use this as a source of income. i'm not saying that it should be totally free to them, they should take shifts during school hours and those that work at other jobs after school hours should have to pay into it(based on income) even if it only ends up being $10 a week. Many of these teens have been kicked-out/abandoned by their friends and families, the last thing they need is to be denied education and be abandoned by the school and government. If anything they have more reason to be encouraged and given the opportunity to pursue education. No i'm not advocating rewarding them for their mistakes, but why punish them any further than they've done to themselves.

Answer 2

That's a tough question. To a certain extent, it would almost seem that the high school would be condoning teen pregnancy by providing care for children born to teenagers out of wedlock. Not to mention the fact that high schools have so many responsibilities dumped on them already, responsibilities that don't even belong to them. High schools are expected to do everything--which leaves them little time to do what they're supposed to--educate.

On the other hand, if providing child care would mean that an unwed teen mother would finish her schooling and get her diploma, it's not a bad idea. It would be a good idea if a high school had a child care class, something that involved students actually caring for children, for high school credit.

Good question... what's everybody else think?

Answer 3

The high school should provided daycare in places with high birth rate, but only if they provide the education required to raise a child. All teen parents using the daycare should have to help staff the facility and take parenting classes and first aide classes. They should also be given the option to take accellerated high school courses to help them graduate and go onto college sooner. Just giving a teen mom free daycare isn't going to make her a better parent. Teaching her and giving her tools for parenting, will help the mother, the child, and the community.

Answer 4

Absolutely not. The rationale behind public schools is that education is a right for everyone. Because it is a public good it is publicly funded (via taxes that we all pay). The cost of providing day care in schools does not fall into the category of paying for education. Facilities would need to be built, professionals would need to be hired and paid, and much needed funds already missing in most public schools will be inadequately allocated. Think about it: we are closing down physical education, music, and art programs at public schools across the country. Paying for day care for pregnant teens isn't where our priorities should be.

Answer 5

i guess it would depend on the school. if there are a lot of teen parents, then i think a daycare at school would be a good idea so young mothers can still attend and graduate. on the other hand, it could create more teens to give birth since they would have the incentive of being able to bring their child to school with them, and might create a distraction amoung students. if there is a school that already has a lot of teen parents and the drop out rate is high, then i would say yes. with todays society, kids are getting pregnant younger and younger, and more and more kids are dropping out because they dont have anyone else to take care of their children, so i would say it the good would outweigh the bad.

Answer 6

Yes! Let's face it.. some teens do have sex. It is part of life as we know it these days,and no matter how much you try to educate teens that it is better to wait until you are older, the fact is that there are going to be some that still have sex, both protected and unprotected. And in a lot of cases , these kids do not have the financial or emotional support of their families to help with the costs of having children. Is it really in the best interest of these kids to have them drop out of school to get jobs to support their children, when they could stay in school to further their education so that when they graduate they can get a good job and make a better life for them and their children.

Answer 7

Honestly, I think it would be nice. But, I don't think it should be offered. Simply because we have enough problems with funding schools as it is. Adding something like a day care for teens children. I think that's just taking the states burden a little to far. The fact that so many teens are having kids that the mere suggest of a daycare in schools is asked, to me is just sad in its self.

Answer 8

Some public high schools do provide day care as well as after school programs. The parents need to petition the schools system and the state to get them to implement a program or any programs for that matter.

Answer 9

Yes they should with the schools that have high rates of kids drooping out they want people to be successful but if they happen to get pregnant and drop out they have a lesser chance but they need to set ground rules also that if they have a daycare then the girls have to stay in school and not just the day care for personal use age to go out and do as they want to do

Answer 10

I think it would be a good idea, and here's why.....Students are not the only people there that have Children. It could also be part of the learning for the girls who think they want children at a young age. Put the High School Girls in charge and grade them on what they do. It's just an idea.