NationStates Jolt Archive

Teenage girls will be offered a GCSE-level qualification in being a young parent.
Those who are 'considering becoming pregnant' or are so already will learn about caring for newborn babies, breastfeeding, family finances and how to deal with toddler tantrums.
Family campaigners have condemned the move as 'irresponsible' in a country which already has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe.
They warn that the qualification will send out the message that having a baby while still at school is an 'achievement'.
And they fear it could encourage pupils to see underage sex as the norm and confer 'respectability' on having babies at a young age.
Under the plan, Edexcel, the country's biggest exam board, will recognise teen parenting courses already coordinated by the National Community Learning Partnership.
There is no lower age limit, and some girls who have been on the courses were just 12.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1170117/The-GCSE-course-teenage-girls-thinking-having-baby.html

I think that's a fairly sad reflection on the society we live in. But it's really quite funny. Do ya really think you should be able to get a qualification in this?

So its an NVQ level one. A practical course, only nominally worth the equivalent of an academic course. There's a wide range of NVQs, covering the most obscure areas, so quite why young parents shouldn't have a course teaching them some of the skills of being a parent I'm not sure, especially when they are lacking in life experience and maturity.

I'm sure the Daily Fail would rather have them have no idea what they're doing, and see higher numbers of deaths through neglect, so they can then run around hysterically saying something must be done.

It's just another thing the government wants introducing that people can get an easy A in.

So its an NVQ level one. A practical course, only nominally worth the equivalent of an academic course. There's a wide range of NVQs, covering the most obscure areas, so quite why young parents shouldn't have a course teaching them some of the skills of being a parent I'm not sure, especially when they are lacking in life experience and maturity.

I'm sure the Daily Fail would rather have them have no idea what they're doing, and see higher numbers of deaths through neglect, so they can then run around hysterically saying something must be done.

They shouldn't get a qualification in it though. It's unfair on kids that do't get knocked up.

It's just another thing the government wants introducing that people can get an easy A in.

I don't really think it makes them look good.

They shouldn't get a qualification in it though. It's unfair on kids that do't get knocked up.

Right...a level one NVQ is basically worth jack shit in real terms. Its nominally worth some D or E grades at GCSE, practically, its not going to give you any advantage in applying for jobs or further education, unless your applying for something directly related to it. Are there jobs where being a decent teen mom counts as a qualification?

Its a bit like the cycling proficiency test in primary school. You get a badge and a certificate, you've passed. But thats not going to go on job applications, and if you put it on there, I doubt it would really encourage a potential employer to choose you.

Mind, given the topic is teenage pregnancies, I probably shouldn't have used an analogy involving a bike.

Right...a level one NVQ is basically worth jack shit in real terms. Its nominally worth some D or E grades at GCSE, practically, its not going to give you any advantage in applying for jobs or further education.

Its a bit like the cycling proficiency test in primary school. You get a badge and a certificate, you've passed. But thats not going to go on job applications, and if you put it on there, I doubt it would really encourage a potential employer to choose you.

Mind, given the topic is teenage pregnancies, I probably shouldn't have used an analogy involving a bike.

It's worth one A* to C grade or two D to E's. I don't think it should be taught at school. They should increase spending on sex ed. Then they could cut the number of teenage pregnacies.

It's worth one A* to C grade or two D to E's.

"Youngsters undertaking the courses will achieve a level one qualification, equivalent to G to D grade standard at GCSE"

I don't think it should be taught at school.

"The courses are currently held in special training centres or pupil behaviour units by charities such as the YWCA but will be massively expanded now they have been accredited and could even attract Government funding.

Schools with several pregnant pupils would be able to offer the courses themselves on the premises, provided they could attract qualified midwives and tutors to deliver them. But pregnant schoolgirls will usually be referred to a training centre to study for the course a day a week.

They currently aren't being held in schools. The article admits that they'll usually be sent to a training centre. Schools might (read: in exceptional cases) be used as a base for teaching by qualified midwives and tutors where there are a number of pregnant pupils interested in taking the course. That doesn't sound too ridiculous for me. Where there's the need and a lack of provision, schools can fill the gap.

They should increase spending on sex ed. Then they could cut the number of teenage pregnacies.

Should they spend more on sex ed? What do you want...virtual reality headsets and simulations? They tell you the do's and don'ts at school, and then teenagers, being immature, find the whole thing terribly amusing, and then, being horny, do stupid shit anyway. I'm not entirely sure throwing more money at sex ed would really help reduce numbers that much.

They currently aren't being held in schools. The article admits that they'll usually be sent to a training centre. Schools might (read: in exceptional cases) be used as a base for teaching by qualified midwives and tutors where there are a number of pregnant pupils interested in taking the course. That doesn't sound too ridiculous for me. Where there's the need and a lack of provision, schools can fill the gap.
So it will be tought in scools.


Should they spend more on sex ed? What do you want...virtual reality headsets and simulations? They tell you the do's and don'ts at school, and then teenagers, being immature, find the whole thing terribly amusing, and then, being horny, do stupid shit anyway. I'm not entirely sure throwing more money at sex ed would really help reduce numbers that much.
They give out free johnnys at some clinics to teens. This should be advertised more, or they sould give em out at scools.

So it will be tought in scools.

In a few limited cases, where there is a need for it. Problem?

They give out free johnnys at some clinics to teens. This should be advertised more, or they sould give em out at scools.

Good idea, but I bet the Daily Fail and other such newspapers would kick up a complete shitstorm about that, making it a vote loser. SCANDAL: SCHOOLS ENCOURAGE KIDS TO HAVE SEX.

So the Daily Fail think teenage pregnancies are a scandal, leading to poor parenting. But they don't want them to be given parental lessons, or approve ideas like the one above which might reduce it. This is why I have a problem with their sensationalist articles on the topic. They don't want it solved. It sells papers.

Good idea, but I bet the Daily Fail and other such newspapers would kick up a complete shitstorm about that, making it a vote loser. SCANDAL: SCHOOLS ENCOURAGE KIDS TO HAVE SEX.

So the Daily Fail think teenage pregnancies are a scandal, leading to poor parenting. But they don't want them to be given parental lessons, or approve ideas like the one above which might reduce it. This is why I have a problem with their sensationalist articles on the topic. They don't want it solved. It sells papers.

That's why I hate the press- it has to much power over spineless polititions. Do ya remember when the kicked up a fus about se ed being tought to really young kids? That was a good idea.

That's why I hate the press- it has to much power over spineless polititions. Do ya remember when the kicked up a fus about se ed being tought to really young kids? That was a good idea.

Yup. I hope sex ed for the young is more developed now, mind, as I remember really not getting it at all when I was 7 or 8 and they showed a video involving happy cartoon bunnies having a special kind of hug.

about time. teen parents exist, and having nothing in the way of experience, planning, understanding the responsibility, etc, can't be helping them or their children. of course it would be better if we didn't have so many teenage pregnancies, but the problem exists and this seems like a good way of helping deal with it


Good idea, but I bet the Daily Fail and other such newspapers would kick up a complete shitstorm about that, making it a vote loser. SCANDAL: SCHOOLS ENCOURAGE KIDS TO HAVE SEX.

So the Daily Fail think teenage pregnancies are a scandal, leading to poor parenting. But they don't want them to be given parental lessons, or approve ideas like the one above which might reduce it. This is why I have a problem with their sensationalist articles on the topic. They don't want it solved. It sells papers.

QFT.

Not a bad idea. Controversial would be requiring a GCSE in parenting before spawning.

Mind, given the topic is teenage pregnancies, I probably shouldn't have used an analogy involving a bike.
Heheheh.

Good one. :P

Yup. I hope sex ed for the young is more developed now, mind, as I remember really not getting it at all when I was 7 or 8 and they showed a video involving happy cartoon bunnies having a special kind of hug.

:eek: Tha's kinda scary.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1170117/The-GCSE-course-teenage-girls-thinking-having-baby.html

I think that's a fairly sad reflection on the society we live in. But it's really quite funny. Do ya really think you should be able to get a qualification in this?

Teenage pregnancies aren't going to stop. Rather than leave them to their own devices and let them screw-up the lives of even more kids, it's perfectly sensible to teach them how to be proper parents. Why there's so much outcry over this, when the very same people complaining about it have been calling for 'parenting classes' for yonks, is beyond me. It should also be considered that the fact people are attending these courses doesn't imply that they have a child already, are pregnant, or considering becoming a teenage parent, it just means they might like to have a child 'some day' and would like some pointers beforehand.

I just wish something like this had been in operation when my younger sister got herself preggered.

I think that's a fairly sad reflection on the society we live in. But it's really quite funny. Do ya really think you should be able to get a qualification in this?

Not a bad idea - not about the qualification, but about making youngsters understand
1) what are the consequences of unprotected sex
2) what they are likely to go through when they will be adults.

It should also be considered that the fact people are attending these courses doesn't imply that they have a child already, are pregnant, or considering becoming a teenage parent, it just means they might like to have a child 'some day' and would like some pointers beforehand.
Hear, hear.

Moreover, there's plenty of situations where young teens could be in charge of a baby without being their parent.