Double-Standard?

[GotZoom]

Pay special attention to the last paragraph.

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Pregnant Student, Banned From Graduation, Walks

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A pregnant student who was banned from graduation at her Roman Catholic high school announced her own name and walked across the stage anyway at the close of the program.

Alysha Cosby's decision prompted cheers and applause Tuesday from many of her fellow seniors at St. Jude Educational Institute (search).

But her mother and aunt were escorted out of the church by police after Cosby headed back to her seat.

"I can't believe something like this is happening in 2005," said her mother, Sheila Cosby. "My daughter has been through a lot and I am proud of her. She deserved to walk, and she did."

The school's guidance counselor delivered Cosby's degree to her house earlier Tuesday, but she still wanted to participate.

"I worked hard throughout high school and I wanted to walk with my class," she said.

Cosby was told in March that she could no longer attend school because of safety concerns, and her name was not listed in the graduation program.

The father of Cosby's child, also a senior at the school, was allowed to participate in graduation.

 

[freeandfun1]

Double-standard?

Yes. What were their "safety concerns" though? Was she due about that time and they were afraid of her giving birth during the ceremony? Not really enough info to reach a firm conclusion, but yes, it does appear to be a bit of a double-standard.

 

[GotZoom]

And the police escorted her Mom and Aunt out of the church after she did it.

Good grief.

From the Student Handbook:

Student Pregnancy

If a female student becomes pregnant, the Guidance Department and Administration must be notified immediately. The student will be required to bring a doctor’s note indicating her time of delivery. Medical safety, psychological wellbeing, and social issues will be taken into consideration when deciding how long a student will attend classes or extracurricular activities, if/when she needs to begin home schooling, and when she may return to school after the delivery of her child. Both the female student and the father of the child (if he attends St. Jude Educational Institute) and their parents/guardians will meet with the Principal, and Guidance Counselor to determine the need for counseling and special support.


Social Issues? Considering it is a religious school, that kind of opens the door for interpretation.

I think she got a bum deal.

 

[archangel]

Yes. What were their "safety concerns" though? Was she due about that time and they were afraid of her giving birth during the ceremony? Not really enough info to reach a firm conclusion, but yes, it does appear to be a bit of a double-standard.

Being a Roman Catholic I am amazed that the young lady was punished for carrying the child to term...After all the Catholic church is adamantly against abortion....and she finished her studies in order to be a productive citizen...and have the ability to care for her child....double standard seems to be rearing it's ugly head here!

 

[5stringJeff]

I agree. It's one thing to discourage sex in high school; it's another altogether to keep someone from their graduation because they are pregnant.

 

[GotZoom]

Being a Roman Catholic I am amazed that the young lady was punished for carrying the child to term...After all the Catholic church is adamantly against abortion....and she finished her studies in order to be a productive citizen...and have the ability to care for her child....double standard seems to be rearing it's ugly head here!

In their eyes: "safety concerns" - embarrassment

 

[freeandfun1]

Being a Roman Catholic I am amazed that the young lady was punished for carrying the child to term...After all the Catholic church is adamantly against abortion....and she finished her studies in order to be a productive citizen...and have the ability to care for her child....double standard seems to be rearing it's ugly head here!

I agree. But... if she was 9 mos prego at the time and about to pop any moment, I could understand why they would not want her to participate... especially considering that if something were to happen, she likely would be quick to sue. I mean, how dare they make her walk to the stage?

 

[freeandfun1]

The more I think about this, the more torn I am on what I should feel about it.

1. Her getting pregnant while still in school shows a lack of responsibility. Especially considering it is a religious school. Would allowing her to partake in the ceremony be akin to saying, "hey, its cool, whatever happens - happens"?

2. Again, the legal aspect of it. What if something were to happen??

As far as the "father" being allowed to attend, now that at least is in keeping with the liberal mantra that it is HER body and she can do what she wants with it... including PREVENTING getting pregnant (birth control or better yet, just saying "NO" and keeping her legs closed).

 

[GotZoom]

Let's presume that the school was truly concerned for her safety.

Then why did they have the mom and aunt escorted out by the police?

 

[freeandfun1]

Let's presume that the school was truly concerned for her safety.

Then why did they have the mom and aunt escorted out by the police?

We don't have all the info... where they hoot'n and holler'n? Where they making a scene? I guess I tend to be a bit pessimistic about things like this, so I really don't know. I have to assume that since she was the LAST to cross the stage, for them to know her aunt and mother were there, something HAD to be happening for them to be able to single them out.

 

[archangel]

The more I think about this, the more torn I am on what I should feel about it.

1. Her getting pregnant while still in school shows a lack of responsibility. Especially considering it is a religious school. Would allowing her to partake in the ceremony be akin to saying, "hey, its cool, whatever happens - happens"?

2. Again, the legal aspect of it. What if something were to happen??

As far as the "father" being allowed to attend, now that at least is in keeping with the liberal mantra that it is HER body and she can do what she wants with it... including PREVENTING getting pregnant (birth control or better yet, just saying "NO" and keeping her legs closed).

I seriously doubt she would sue the school...she asked to be allowed to walk..
also yes she was irresponsible in getting pregnant at such a early age...however she did take responsibility for her actions...and should be rewarded as such....damn we all made mistakes in our youth...the difference being some accept responsibility and others do not....as Jesus said...."He who is without sin cast the first stone" Not me...how about you?

 

[GotZoom]

The school had to know - BEFOREHAND - that they would be there.

Read this again:

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A pregnant student who was banned from graduation at her Roman Catholic high school announced her own name and walked across the stage anyway at the close of the program.

Alysha Cosby's decision prompted cheers and applause Tuesday from many of her fellow seniors at St. Jude Educational Institute (search).

But her mother and aunt were escorted out of the church by police after Cosby headed back to her seat.

Close of the program - everybody was still there.

Headed back to her seat - how long does it take to walk across the stage and back to her seat? The police were already there.

 

[freeandfun1]

I seriously doubt she would sue the school...she asked to be allowed to walk..
also yes she was irresponsible in getting pregnant at such a early age...however she did take responsibility for her actions...and should be rewarded as such....damn we all made mistakes in our youth...the difference being some accept responsibility and others do not....as Jesus said...."He who is without sin cast the first stone" Not me...how about you?

I've been there... got a girl pregnant in HS so I am not throwing stones. Not only was she not allowed to walk in the grad ceremony, she wasn't even allowed to attend the school. For her to finish, she had to go to a "special" school where all the the pregnant girls went. I question the message it sends more than anything. How many young girls in the audience are going to think, "hey cool, if I get knocked up it don't matter"?

Broad brush? Sure. But hey, this forum is to DEBATE issues.

 

[freeandfun1]

The school had to know - BEFOREHAND - that they would be there.

Read this again:

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A pregnant student who was banned from graduation at her Roman Catholic high school announced her own name and walked across the stage anyway at the close of the program.

Alysha Cosby's decision prompted cheers and applause Tuesday from many of her fellow seniors at St. Jude Educational Institute (search).

But her mother and aunt were escorted out of the church by police after Cosby headed back to her seat.

Close of the program - everybody was still there.

Headed back to her seat - how long does it take to walk across the stage and back to her seat? The police were already there.

Not sure how that proves the school new they were going to be there... maybe I am just dense.

 

[archangel]

I've been there... got a girl pregnant in HS so I am not throwing stones. Not only was she not allowed to walk in the grad ceremony, she wasn't even allowed to attend the school. For her to finish, she had to go to a "special" school where all the the pregnant girls went. I question the message it sends more than anything. How many young girls in the audience are going to think, "hey cool, if I get knocked up it don't matter"?

Broad brush? Sure. But hey, this forum is to DEBATE issues.

Now the question becomes: Were you allowed to finish regular school?You were as guility as she...double standard maybe?

 

[GotZoom]

I don't think the police responded that quick.

1. She walks across the state.
2. Faculty dials 911
3. She walks back to her chair
4. Police have already pulled up and are in the church.

Additional information: Article dated April 29, 2005

Alysha Cosby has looked forward to hearing her name called at high school graduation ever since she was a freshman.

Now Cosby, a senior at St. Jude Educational Institute, is worried that her own recent announcement to school officials might keep that from happening.

Cosby, 17, is 20 weeks pregnant and said she was told by administrators that she could no longer attend classes and would have to complete her studies from home.

"My education is the most important thing to me. The way I receive my education shouldn't change just because I am pregnant," said Cosby, who was informed of the administrators' decision on March 24 and has been homeschooled since that time.

"I've been on the honor roll pretty much through high school, and I have worked really hard to get to this point," she said. "I just don't want to be denied the chance to walk with my class because I am pregnant."

According to the 2004-2005 St. Jude student handbook, if a student becomes pregnant, she must notify the guidance department and administration as soon as she finds out. Cosby did so at nine weeks.

Though St. Jude is a Catholic school, Principal Johnny Mitchell said Cosby is not being "condemned" because she is pregnant. The school has not decided whether Cosby can take part in the May 17 commencement exercises, but Mitchell said he feels she should work from home due to "safety reasons."

They obviously decided she can't participate

"I don't want to penalize or make any student feel ostracized because they are having a baby. But I am concerned about her safety," Mitchell said. "We at St. Jude have no reason to mistreat any young lady or gentleman. Miss Cosby will still receive her degree."

School policy states that "medical safety, physiological well-being and social issues will be taken into consideration when deciding how long a student will attend classes or extracurricular activities; if/when she needs to begin homeschooling; and when she may return to school after the delivery of her child."

The child's father also is a student at St. Jude and has not been removed from class nor told he can't participate in graduation or senior activities.

"I've been here for nearly four years, and I don't remember any other pregnant girls being homeschooled," Cosby said. In a doctor's note dated March 31, 2005, Cosby's obstetrician writes that she is "fine to be at school until 9-01-05."

"I feel that if my doctor thinks it is OK, I should be allowed to go to school. Working from home is not the same, because you don't have the kind of help and interaction you get from being in the classroom," Cosby said.

But Mitchell, who is completing his first year as St. Jude's principal, said similar safety-related recommendations have been made at schools that fall under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile's umbrella.

He said Gwen Byrd, superintendent of schools for the archdiocese, supported his decision. Byrd could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Cosby said she would prefer to be back in school, but ultimately, she just wants to walk with her class. Her father is stationed in Rome, Italy, and is planning to come stateside to see her graduate.

"I would never do anything to make St. Jude look bad, and I am not speaking out now to paint it in a negative light. I love my school," Cosby said. "I've been looking forward to this moment ever since I was in ninth grade. It's not fair that it could be taken away from me just because I am having a baby."

 

[Mr. P]

In my daughters' school (it's private, but not Catholic) if a girl gets pregnant she's out (Expelled), and if the father is at the same school he's out too, that's the policy. Guess what? I've never heard of it happening in the 5 years we've been there.

 

[freeandfun1]

Now the question becomes: Were you allowed to finish regular school?You were as guilty as she...double standard maybe?

Actually, I dropped out of school, got a job and paid the medical bills. I then joined the Army as soon as I could (17), got my GED and then went on and took college courses while in the Army and finished when I got out. I took responsibility for my role from day 1.

 

[GotZoom]

Now the question becomes: Were you allowed to finish regular school?You were as guility as she...double standard maybe?

Of course he was. I imagine there was no negative reprocussions at all for him (well, except for the obvious).

 

[GotZoom]

Actually, I dropped out of school, got a job and paid the medical bills. I then joined the Army as soon as I could (17), got my GED and then went on and took college courses while in the Army and finished when I got out. I took responsibility for my role from day 1.

Good for you! More fathers should follow your lead.

But to go back to the question.....

You would have been able to graduate had you stayed in school.