No parent wants to hear the words, “Mom, dad, I’m pregnant, or I’m going to be a father.” Children having children drastically alters everyone’s lives – the teens themselves, their parents, siblings, and other family members. While not a popular discussion in regards to education, the Houston Independent School District have realized the need to address the education of these teens, especially young mothers.
Every year, girls attending Houston Independent Schools become pregnant, it’s a fact. A great number of them end up dropping out of high school; they may get a job to support their baby, or may stay home with their parents to care for their child. They may also simply feel ostracized by their schools and peers, and no longer have the desire to attend school. Teen moms who have attended Houston Schools are no exception. These Houston Schools students are in dire need of continuing their education, even if they don’t realize it themselves.
For women who have just given birth, the “baby blues” or full-blown post-partum depression is a dreadful reality. The effects of these conditions may cause moms to be uninterested in caring for themselves or their babies in the best ways that they can. Teen moms (even those attending Houston Schools) may even suffer from this even more. The simple lack of sleep one gets (or doesn’t get) with a newborn in the house definitely contributes to these feelings of the blues or depression. Houston Schools girls who are experiencing these emotions find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning and get dressed and head out the door to school.
For lots of teen moms, a need for affordable or even free childcare stands in the way of them returning to Houston Schools after their babies have been born. Lee High School, and member of the Houston Schools district, has opened a free daycare center for these young mothers who want to return to school but need childcare. All mothers, no matter their age, have the well-being of their children in the forefront of their minds. Houston schools girls whose brains and bodies are still maturing who have just had children experience even more of “brain overload”. Reaching out to them through the schools and other local community organizations is a necessary and vital step in order to keep these girls in school.
Teaming up with the Houston YMCA, along with other local organizations, Houston Schools have been able to offer childcare in order for the Houston Schools teens to continue their educations. If these young women want to go on to college, or enter the workforce right after graduation, they will need to stay in school. Offering quality childcare that is easily available to these young mothers is vital, and admirable.
Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit Houston Independent School District