Current System Unfair To Pregnant Thai Students

[webfact]

UNWANTED PREGNANCIES

Current system unfair to girls

By CHULARAT SAENGPASSA

THE NATION

Lack of understanding and support is leaving many staring at a dark future

While most youngsters celebrated Children's Day on Saturday, some prematurely pregnant students grappled in vain for a solution to their problem. These students were barred from continuing study at their schools because they got pregnant.

Although Cabinet has already approved the Reproductive Health Protection Act, the legislation has not been completed yet.

Only after the act takes effect will pregnant students gain access to legally prescribed help, including the right to continue their education during pregnancy and the right to resume their studies after the baby is delivered.

A Matthayom 6 student was recently forced to leave her school in Khon Kaen because of an unexpected pregnancy.

Had she been allowed to continue, she would have been able to finish her secondary education within months and get a proper certificate, making her eligible to apply to a university later on.

However, her school told her to leave and gave her the Matthayom 5 certificate. It also refused to maintain her student status, which could have allowed her to study at home and take the Matthayom 6 exams when the time comes. The reason for such treatment, the school said, was the serious mistake committed by the girl set a bad example for other kids.

So far, such treatment is in fact not mandatory.

In Loei, two Matthayom 4 students often played truant and became pregnant. They were forced out of their school. Fortunately for them, though, their parents were very understanding. They took care of their grandchildren so that their daughters could go back to school after having their babies.

Premature pregnancy is indeed a major problem among Thai students. Without proper understanding from parties concerned, the children find it hard to deal with it. Some girls turn to illegal abortions, while others simply drop out of school and find work to support their babies.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai said hundreds of thousands of schoolgirls were at risk of unwanted pregnancies. Among girls aged 13 to 22, 84 per cent of pregnancies were unwanted.

Many youngsters raised the issue of premature pregnancy during a question-and-answer session with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Children's Day. The premier vowed to discuss the matter with his Cabinet before assigning relevant authorities to draw up solutions.

Before her retirement as secretary-general of the Office of Basic Education Commission, Khunying Kasama Varawarn pushed for the initiative to help children who drop out due to slow learning ability, drugs, fighting and rape-induced pregnancy. In 2008, five schools in Khon Kaen, Phetchaburi, Chiang Rai, and Nakhon Ratchasima, began to welcome these "dropouts" back to school. At these schools, pregnant girls enjoyed more relaxed class attendance, time for study and uniform requirements.

In Phetchaburi, the Nong Chumsaeng Wittaya School has taught about 600 students - many of whom had unwanted pregnancies or premarital relationships - with understanding and compassion.

"We reach out to children who find it hard to scrape by," the school's director Maitree Srisakulthai said.

He said if these children did not receive help, they could easily be attracted to drugs and crime.

"Our school does not focus on academic excellence. We seek to equip our students with life skills," Maitree said.

Such initiatives, indeed, should be encouraged further, especially now the Reproductive Health Protection Act has yet to be implemented.

Last July, the New Straits Times reported that a Malaysian state was considering establishing a school for pregnant teenagers, to curb an alarming epidemic of "baby dumping".

The chief minister of Malacca state, Mohamad Ali Rustam, said the school was one strategy being considered, including encouraging pregnant girls to marry. Only married teens would be allowed to attend the school.

"For unmarried teenagers, they also can be part of the school but with one condition - they must marry the baby's father," Ali said.

He said new measures must be introduced because cases of baby dumping usually happened among the Muslim community, as teenagers were desperate to conceal pregnancies. Some of the girls had also been disowned by their families.

Ali said girls did not seek abortions, as this was prohibited by their Islamic faith.

-- The Nation 2011-01-10

[LuckyLew]

Once again Thailand is so far behind civilized society

Sex education wold be a good place to start

Wat happens to the boys who get the girls pregnant?

[AZBill]

Once again Thailand is so far behind civilized society

Sex education wold be a good place to start

Wat happens to the boys who get the girls pregnant?

They return to their jobs in Parliment

[ChiangMaiFun]

Once again Thailand is so far behind civilized society

Sex education wold be a good place to start

Wat happens to the boys who get the girls pregnant?

This is the point - the boys - the answer? NOTHING because Thailand is a million years behind making the boys responsible for their semen - those poor girls... I do pity them but they are stupid too - education, education, education and there are University girls throwing their life away over a quick shag with an irrresponsible tonka.

[jaltsc]

"Premature Pregnancy"...Does that mean she became pregnant before the act?

"Unexpected Pregnancy"...Does that mean that pregnancy is not equated with unprotected sex?

From the way school authorities approach this matter, one would think that all of these pregnancies were results of immaculate conceptions, since no male has ever been associated with the pregnancy. This is a sign of an irresponsible culture...And please don't start this "Don't use western standards to criticize Thai society". The west has its own sub cultures within the overall population who shirk the responsibility of fatherhood. In America we call them "irresponsible scumbags" even though within their own sub culture they are considered heroes for spreading their seeds far and wide. Not any differently than a dog. Sound familiar?

If one believes that rules are made for the benefit of those making the rules, I am sure if one looks at the policies associated with school age pregnancies, those rules were formulated by males, some of whom are most likely responsible for many of the pregnancies they now condemn. I am sure if females were allowed to formulate these policies they would look entirely different. More like one would expect from a Buddhist society rather than a culture that appears to adopt its standards from the medieval Catholic Spanish inquisition.

[Anyse]

They are already going to pass a law wherein these young ladies will be permitted to remain in school. Why not put out a "Memorandum of Understanding" for all schools, telling them that they may no longer throw out these young ladies? It's so simple!

[junglist]

Once again Thailand is so far behind civilized society

Sex education wold be a good place to start

Wat happens to the boys who get the girls pregnant?

They return to their jobs in Parliment

niceeeeeeeeee

[PaulHamon]

Premature pregnancy... lol.

[elshaheen]

Because women are viewed as second class citizens in some parts of Thailand. A man can do no wrong and never does wrong.

[ChiangMaiFun]

Premature pregnancy... lol.

is it linked to premature ejaculation?

[softgeorge]

Premature pregnancy... lol.

The average age of the 1st menstrual cycle (Menarche) is 11.75 yrs but may very slightly in different regions. From medical perspectives it is often considered the cenral event of female puberty, as it signals the possibility of fertility. (Puberty when a child's body matures and becomes an adult body capable of reproduction) So basically premature pregnancy would have to occure prior to this.

[reason1]

Yesterday the BBC reported that one third of UK teenagers experience sex before the legal age and 50% without any contraception. It is not just Thailand's problem it is the modern world of TV Internet porn

[JohnAllan]

"Unexpected pregnancy". That says it all .....

[JohnAllan]

Yesterday the BBC reported that one third of UK teenagers experience sex before the legal age and 50% without any contraception. It is not just Thailand's problem it is the modern world of TV Internet porn

And the courts in the UK, some years ago, exacerbated the problem by overriding the rights and responsibilities of the girls' parents.

[Misterwhisper]

"In Loei, two Matthayom 4 students often played truant and became pregnant. They were forced out of their school. Fortunately for them, though, their parents were very understanding. They took care of their grandchildren so that their daughters could go back to school after having their babies."

Hm, Mathayom 4. That means they were about 14 -15 years old. Now, were those students "often truant" or "often pregnant" or both? And what happened to the probably equally young inseminators (i.e. fathers of the children)? Got away as usual, eh? And how "understanding" does one have as a responsible parent? Did those parents educate their daughter about effective birth control after the first grandchild from a daughter that has hardly shed her own baby fat? Probably not, because more than likely they don't know anything about birth control themselves.

The injustice is of course that those girls were "forced out" of their school and it goes to show the archaic norms to which this society still adheres. It's ALWAYS the girl's fault and the stigma is entirely hers. Meanwhile, most school administrators and/or teachers would blush with shame if they were asked by a young student about sex and/or birth control. It's still largely a taboo subject. One sometimes wonders where those 65 million Thais came from, making this country one of the most densely-populated on Earth. All perhaps grew as "makhaleephon", the fruit of a mythical tree that grow in the shape of a human being. When ripe, they fall to the ground and simply walk away. Ask any monk about "makhaleephon", if you don't believe me. it's reminiscent of our version, i.e. a stork delivers babies to one's doorstep, albeit [most of us] have stopped believing in that tale when we were about 8-10 years old, because that is usually the age when formal sex education starts.

[elshaheen]

"In Loei, two Matthayom 4 students often played truant and became pregnant. They were forced out of their school. Fortunately for them, though, their parents were very understanding. They took care of their grandchildren so that their daughters could go back to school after having their babies."

Hm, Mathayom 4. That means they were about 14 -15 years old. Now, were those students "often truant" or "often pregnant" or both? And what happened to the probably equally young inseminators (i.e. fathers of the children)? Got away as usual, eh? And how "understanding" does one have as a responsible parent? Did those parents educate their daughter about effective birth control after the first grandchild from a daughter that has hardly shed her own baby fat? Probably not, because more than likely they don't know anything about birth control themselves.

The injustice is of course that those girls were "forced out" of their school and it goes to show the archaic norms to which this society still adheres. It's ALWAYS the girl's fault and the stigma is entirely hers. Meanwhile, most school administrators and/or teachers would blush with shame if they were asked by a young student about sex and/or birth control. It's still largely a taboo subject. One sometimes wonders where those 65 million Thais came from, making this country one of the most densely-populated on Earth. All perhaps grew as "makhaleephon", the fruit of a mythical tree that grow in the shape of a human being. When ripe, they fall to the ground and simply walk away. Ask any monk about "makhaleephon", if you don't believe me. it's reminiscent of our version, i.e. a stork delivers babies to one's doorstep, albeit [most of us] have stopped believing in that tale when we were about 8-10 years old, because that is usually the age when formal sex education starts.

A few years ago, I lived in an apartment complex near Central Rattanathibet, Nonthaburi, Thailand and near the Ministry of Commerce. I would see young girls walking around 12 – 14 with no breast development showing, but with a very big belly (Pregnant) walking around the parking lot and hanging out at the apartments Internet Café with the boys.

After a few months, you would see their mothers holding a newborn infant in their arms or in a baby stroller. Later on, their little girl would come home from school dressed in her school uniform. As soon as she arrived, she went straight to the Internet Café. About 4 months later she was sporting a new belly. Like clockwork.

None of the boys from the Café or give a dam_n. Saying it was not their problem.

I then asked the apartment manager about this and one Farang resident there. Both said it happens all the time and the boys won’t support or care for the girl or baby.

[reason1]

Excuse me but isn't the trailer Ad "7 Tips to Get Pregnant" somewhat unfortunately misplaced as the point of the posts is the reverse 7 Tips on how to AVOID getting Pregnant is more appropriate

[johncat1]

I am a teacher at a Government Mattayom school in Issan, and my school's approach to this problem is one of help and understanding.

If a girl gets pregnant she is given a year's break from her studies to take care of herself and her baby in it's first few months, this also saves any embarrassing moments at school for everyone.

She is then allowed to return to school to continue with her studies, although she is a year behind she can still finish her education and go to University.

As to the father ? Well, people assume it is another young person responsible, but often it is a much older THAI man, sometimes a family member.

I have been told stories of Thai men hanging around outside schools and Universities approaching students for sex ( usually 16 years old and older ).

Although I have never seen this, many Thai women teachers have told me about this ( maybe from experience )

So it is not always possible for the girl to marry the father anyway.

Unfortunately as many people have said Thai men can do no wrong, a Thai woman is still treated as a second class citizen.

[ChiangMaiFun]

Karma? anyone who abandons a child has it coming... big time

[johncat1]

Re: The chief minister of Malacca state, Mohamad Ali Rustam

Only married teens would be allowed to attend the school.

"For unmarried teenagers, they also can be part of the school but with one condition - they must marry the baby's father," Ali said.

I think this guy needs some lessons in basic commonsense.

1.What if the girl is too young to marry ?

2. What if the father is a married man ?

3. What if the father is a family member ?

4. What if the father is a teacher, politician, policeman, Monk, etc etc ?

5. What if this person has disappeared like many men do when they find the girl is pregnant.

etc etc etc etc etc.............................................

SORRY Mr. ALI YOU ARE TALKING OUT OF YOUR ASS !!!

[johncat1]

School directors can make their own policy about pregnant students BUT they are afraid of rocking the boat and are too busy covering their own <deleted>.

So they take the easy way out and follow antiquated government guidelines

Don't forget Thais are like sheep ..................They follow but they never lead !!

They are already going to pass a law wherein these young ladies will be permitted to remain in school. Why not put out a "Memorandum of Understanding" for all schools, telling them that they may no longer throw out these young ladies? It's so simple!

[Credo]

It will be interesting to see how this works in practice. Thai society is very conservative, and, not always as understanding as we would like to think it is.

I will divert from pregnancy to give you an example. We had a young girl (Prathom 3) who suffered from cancer. As I recall, it was terminal, but she attended school and was rather healthy. Some parents heard about her condition and she was forced to wear a face mask, sit separately and not eat or play with her classmates. If not the other parents said they would remove their children from the school.

I shutter to think about what will happen with a 15 year old pregnant girl in the classroom.

I don't want to see anyone denied an opportunity for education. I just am not so sure this is going to accepted.

As far as sex goes, that has been going on for a very long time. Anyone growing up the 60's, if they look back, will find that todays kids are a lot tamer than that time.

[dighambara]

Once again Thailand is so far behind civilized society

Sex education wold be a good place to start

Wat happens to the boys who get the girls pregnant?

They return to their jobs in Parliment

This is and age old situation regarding human nature and won't change soon. Meanwhile, the Thai schools don't have a clue. Plus, this attitude helps to keep women barefoot and available to service tourists at the resorts.

Television could address this and other problems related to simple education; condom use, driving rules, etc., but the government wants the resorts full of willing girls and there is much more interest in the useless 'soap operas' that are so popular.

As a friend recently noted; 'tourist money goes in the pockets of the Bangkok wealthy - the resort business owners, while the greater amount of foreign income - money from foreign residents goes into the pockets of the people; houses, cars, food, education and entertainment (TVs, videos, games, etc.).

Hence rules favor keeping women available as sex slaves and not in being educated.

[sirchai]

"In Loei, two Matthayom 4 students often played truant and became pregnant. They were forced out of their school. Fortunately for them, though, their parents were very understanding. They took care of their grandchildren so that their daughters could go back to school after having their babies."

Hm, Mathayom 4. That means they were about 14 -15 years old. Now, were those students "often truant" or "often pregnant" or both? And what happened to the probably equally young inseminators (i.e. fathers of the children)? Got away as usual, eh? And how "understanding" does one have as a responsible parent? Did those parents educate their daughter about effective birth control after the first grandchild from a daughter that has hardly shed her own baby fat? Probably not, because more than likely they don't know anything about birth control themselves.

The injustice is of course that those girls were "forced out" of their school and it goes to show the archaic norms to which this society still adheres. It's ALWAYS the girl's fault and the stigma is entirely hers. Meanwhile, most school administrators and/or teachers would blush with shame if they were asked by a young student about sex and/or birth control. It's still largely a taboo subject. One sometimes wonders where those 65 million Thais came from, making this country one of the most densely-populated on Earth. All perhaps grew as "makhaleephon", the fruit of a mythical tree that grow in the shape of a human being. When ripe, they fall to the ground and simply walk away. Ask any monk about "makhaleephon", if you don't believe me. it's reminiscent of our version, i.e. a stork delivers babies to one's doorstep, albeit [most of us] have stopped believing in that tale when we were about 8-10 years old, because that is usually the age when formal sex education starts.

A few years ago, I lived in an apartment complex near Central Rattanathibet, Nonthaburi, Thailand and near the Ministry of Commerce. I would see young girls walking around 12 – 14 with no breast development showing, but with a very big belly (Pregnant) walking around the parking lot and hanging out at the apartments Internet Café with the boys.

After a few months, you would see their mothers holding a newborn infant in their arms or in a baby stroller. Later on, their little girl would come home from school dressed in her school uniform. As soon as she arrived, she went straight to the Internet Café. About 4 months later she was sporting a new belly. Like clockwork.

None of the boys from the Café or give a dam_n. Saying it was not their problem.

I then asked the apartment manager about this and one Farang resident there. Both said it happens all the time and the boys won't support or care for the girl or baby.

Mother Theresa. You're back.....:jap:

[sirchai]

School directors can make their own policy about pregnant students BUT they are afraid of rocking the boat and are too busy covering their own <deleted>.

So they take the easy way out and follow antiquated government guidelines

Don't forget Thais are like sheep ..................They follow but they never lead !!

They are already going to pass a law wherein these young ladies will be permitted to remain in school. Why not put out a "Memorandum of Understanding" for all schools, telling them that they may no longer throw out these young ladies? It's so simple!

The reason for such treatment, the school said, was the serious mistake committed by the girl set a bad example for other kids.

Can't call a 17- or 18 year old 'kid'.........:jap:

[elshaheen]

Premature pregnancy... lol.

The average age of the 1st menstrual cycle (Menarche) is 11.75 yrs but may very slightly in different regions. From medical perspectives it is often considered the cenral event of female puberty, as it signals the possibility of fertility. (Puberty when a child's body matures and becomes an adult body capable of reproduction) So basically premature pregnancy would have to occure prior to this.

In the U.S. children have to thank Cornel Sanders and KFC for their part and the milk industry. The put growth hormones into their chicken so the children start to grow breasts and bleed earlier. There was a girl who got pregnant at age 9 and gave birth to a child. God, that must have been painful giving birth.

[asiawatcher]

1. I can't see how pregnancy affects ability to learn

2. I would leave the pregnant student in the class as an example as to what happens if you play up

3. I would hold the male partner responsible and the family of the male partner to take responsibility for the child and its financial maintenance until 16 at least in equal contribution

4. I would whip the ass of the education department immediately to commence sex education for all students past 12, male and female

Yes Thailand denies anything to do with sex at every turn, Me-anois, Giks etc., and no such things as prostitutes - just ask them, but when a student becomes pregnant, they all cry foul, banish her from school and without education, she has no choice but to give the baby to her parents to look after whilst she goes dance around a pole or falls under any one of the previous named categories using what she thinks is, her only asset, to survive. Sad - very sad indeed how authorities here do not wake up.

[hungryhippo]

Once again Thailand is so far behind civilized society

Sex education wold be a good place to start

Wat happens to the boys who get the girls pregnant?

It's the old men in government and schools that are banning pregnant women from education. Not the kids that mistakenly knock each other up, please focus on the correct problem.

[webfact]

Related topic:

Mass Fetus Find Stokes Thai Abortion Debate

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