For those who say teachers should JUST teach . . .

[Wishing on a star]

Minnisota actually brings up a good point...

If you are thinking of jumping in personally, with no other resources... how will you feel if there are some very serious consequenses to your actions!!!

What if the parents start to demand an abortion... And, the girl knows this, and this is why she is stalling until she is to far along..

What if the girl becomes despondant, and takes drastic actions...

What if she runs away, and seriously endangers herself and her unborn child?

You are not a Counselor,
You are not a physician or Nurse,
You are not an administrator,

Why would you even consider jumping in and involving yourself without referring this situation to the other professionals in your school system?

 

[damo]

What if it turns out that she really isn't pregnant?

 

[phillybeth]

My first thought was actually CPS as well if the child was under 18. As a mandatory reporter, a teacher might be required to report if they suspected a lack of proper medical care for a known medical issue. Prenatal care would certainly count. What if something happens to the girl or the baby? I'd talk to my Principal.

A call to CPS does not mean the child automatically gets removed from the home, it means they get social services intervention.

Exactly my point.
Age of the particpants can be an issue, but unless you know for sure exactly how old the baby's father is, I would let CPS handle it. They are used to dealing with these situations.

My department handles it according to state law- under 18 and more than 2 years age difference between the participants, or under 14 regardless of the age difference, makes it at least stat rape.

 

[phillybeth]

In other words... A sixteen year old girl and a nineteen year old guy, engaging in consentual sex, would not constitute statutory rape.

It would be stat rape in my state. And if paternity is proven with DNA, the father will be registered as a sex offender.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

It would be stat rape in my state. And if paternity is proven with DNA, the father will be registered as a sex offender.

Good grief! MORE fuel on the fire! I don't agree with this at all.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Then, unless the OP knows for a fact that the boyfriend is over 20, she has no grounds.

And, even if she does have 'just cause', she should go thru the proper school system channels.

Why on earth would any teacher not see these limits to their authority?

 

[RitaZ.]

As a mandatory reporter, a teacher might be required to report if they suspected a lack of proper medical care for a known medical issue. Prenatal care would certainly count.

I don't think that would apply in this situation. If the girl's pregnancy hasn't been confirmed/diagnosed by a medical doctor, then how could this be a "known medical condition".

 

[daisyduck123]

I haven't read past page 1 of this thread but I'd like to say:
"I'm a teacher & I don't recall ever having sworn an oath of confidentiality with my students. Our classroom is not a court of law, not a doctor's office, it's a classroom". I would check with my principal & if she gave the go ahead, I would tell the parents. My principal would then probably sit in on the conference.

 

[4greatboys]

No I would not tell the parents. Its not your place, its hers. I agree with word getting out you betrayed her confidence then other students who may need someone to talk to will not turn to your.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I don't think that would apply in this situation. If the girl's pregnancy hasn't been confirmed/diagnosed by a medical doctor, then how could this be a "known medical condition".

I'm not sure about other cities, but in NYC, it doesn't have to be "known".

If I suspect anything, I have to call ACS, period. I don't have to confirm anything. I don't need to have proof.

If CPS finds out I SUSPECTED something was wrong and did not report it, they can press charges against me.

When I took my training with ACS, I was pretty much told to throw common sense out the window and cover my ***.

As a parent, I'd want the teacher to come to me first.

 

[jodifla]

It would be stat rape in my state. And if paternity is proven with DNA, the father will be registered as a sex offender.

That's NUTS! Register someone as a sex offender because he had sex with his girlfriend!

Oh, and that would just be great of this couple actually had plans to make a life together with their new baby. Throw the father in jail...how bright.

The teacher should just state the facts. As an earlier poster said, any mom will figure it out if she lays the groundwork.

 

[Sleepy]

I would however mention that she has been very sick, even getting sick in class and hope they put 2 and 2 together.

Sounds like a very good idea. That flu has been going around, but she seems to have had it for several weeks and maybe she needs medical attention

 

[clh2]

Hmmm... You don't KNOW that she's pregnant; that's just what she told you, right? Perhaps you could tell them that you suspect that she MAY be pregnant ("She always seems queezy in the mornings..."), or less directly that you think she may not be feeling well and may need to see a doctor.

If it were my daughter I'd want to know.

I agree with suggesting she may need to see a doctor. Make sure you know the ages involved with the students, i.e. over 18, under 18. Also - before you discuss statuatory rape with the parents and you "have" to report it - make sure you know what makes that up. In WI, I believe there are very specific certain ages that would indicate stat. rape, versus anything that might be considered consensual.

I would also have a guidance counselor or principal/vice principal present. For your own peace of mind - you don't want the parents or the daughter to mix-up anything that is said.

 

[disykat]

I don't think that would apply in this situation. If the girl's pregnancy hasn't been confirmed/diagnosed by a medical doctor, then how could this be a "known medical condition".

The girl told her she was pregnant. So she "knows" about it. If a child tells you something that could affect her welfare, you have to report - not prove it.

 

[disykat]

Then, unless the OP knows for a fact that the boyfriend is over 20, she has no grounds.

And, even if she does have 'just cause', she should go thru the proper school system channels.

Why on earth would any teacher not see these limits to their authority?

No one has even vaguely suggested she not go thru school system channels -not even the OP. I'm quite sure the OP will follow her district protocol. It does not take any "authority" to make a report or repeat what someone said to you. No one needs "grounds" to do these things.

A teacher could end up in serious hot water if they "withheld" this kind of info from parents. They have no confidentiality clause like a priest or a doctor. Even if they chose to keep the secret that was told them, they could be in legal trouble if the pregnancy became a danger to the girl or the fetus - because they are mandatory reporters.

A very serious damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

 

[raammartin]

What a sticky situation. If I was that mother I'd want to know, but at the same time I might be upset that someone other than my child told me. ?? What do you do ?? Good luck, I'm sure you'll make the right decision or whatever decision seems appropriate at that time. Let us know how it all goes for you!

 

[PaulaSue]

Honestly I would want to know. It is not just the girl to worry about now, baby's best interest is more important, IMO.

Good Luck with what you decide.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I'm quite sure the OP will follow her district protocol. It does not take any "authority" to make a report or repeat what someone said to you. No one needs "grounds" to do these things.

Watching this thread today, that is what has concerned me the most.

Even my son's tiny tiny (160 students) Private High School has a procedure in place for this situation. There would be absolutely no question at all of a Teacher even thinking of polling a Public Internet Bulletin Board for opinions on what she *should* do.

I'm just that this thread even exists.

What she SHOULD do is start the paperwork to follow the steps her school mandates that she takes. I can say (knowing that it happened with a Senior Girl last year) that any school meeting would take place with the TEACHER, Principal, and School Social Worker/Nurse/Psychologist or whoever legally handles this matter in the room.

Given the replies here, I feel pretty safe in commenting that Teachers just don't have the training on when and what to tell parents.

So --- leave it up to the people who do.

 

[jodifla]

Yes. If she's underage it is illegal, and technically rape, child abuse, and sexual assault. I work for a police department and we get lots of 3rd party reports of this nature for 16-17 YOs that are pregnant.

This is despicable. Unless the sex was a predatory event, how does it help?

Luckily, it's not the law in every state...just backward ones like yours.

So, when do you get to have sex in Pennsylvania?

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Because of the admttedly few instances where young women don't ever admit to being pregnant and abandon babies, i would tell the parent.
AS in "I think your daughter might be pregnant" Teacher hasn't seen a blood test so can truly say "think".
It has to be very hard to tell a parent yourself as a teenager and having the secret out and getting help would be a tremendous relief. This assumes her parents are decent people which they probably are.
If the parents seemed as if they might harm the student, then i would involve others to protect the student.