Teen forced to tell entire school she was pregnant: cruel and unusual punishment?

Brimhall Nizhoni : NM : USA | Mar 11, 2012 at 3:14 PM PDT

By VeronicaS

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15 Yr Old (8th Grade) Girl Forced To Tell Entire School That She's Pregnant At Assembly Video Review

A 15-year-old girl 8th grader was reportedly forced to tell the entire school of her pregnancy. School administrators did this after they had already kicked her out of school for getting pregnant. However, they had to re-admit her for it was illegal to throw her out in the first place. Schools that get Federal funding cannot expel students because they get pregnant.

Is this cruel and unusual punishment? The New Mexico student, Shantelle Hicks who attended the Wingate Elementary School, was grudgingly let back into school only to be subjected to another humiliating ordeal. The teen was reportedly forced to get up in front of a school assembly and declare her pregnancy.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has come to Hicks defense and is suing the school district for what they say was a violation of the teen's Constitutional Rights.

What do you think: do you agree with the ACLU or do you think the school acted within the boundaries of the law even if it was a cruel thing to do?

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Teen forced to tell entire school she was pregnant

VeronicaS is based in New York City, New York, United States of America, and is an Anchor for Allvoices.

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READ MORE: Shantelle Hicks, New Mexico, ACLU

More News From: Brimhall Nizhoni : NM : USA

Post a Comment Comments: 17

Posted By

JeniferLamug | about 1 year ago

"The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has come to Hicks defense and is suing the school district for what they say was a violation of the teen's Constitutional Rights."- I go with this.
And in the first place, I wonder why is she pregnant as such a young age?
This triggers me as I have younger sisters.Thank for sharing this.Rated and tweeted.

Reply By

VeronicaS | about 1 year ago

Thanks for the support Jenifer and you're welcome.. Yes, she is too young to be pregnant but what the school did was cruel--something effective educators would never have done.

Posted By

Dave_R | about 1 year ago

If you're so damned embarrassed about getting pregnant, then don't get pregnant. Simple!

Reply By

the_zohn | about 1 year ago

The article does not say that she is embarrassed about being pregnant, but that the actions of the school were embarrassing. Tell me, how many grown women would be willing to undergo the same thing at work? Forcing anyone to disclose private information in a public forum is indeed cruel.

Reply By

VeronicaS | about 1 year ago

That is the most insensitive thing I have ever heard. Have you ever heard of empathy? She is too young to be pregnant, yes--but being cruel to her does more harm than good.

Posted By

mqakhn | about 1 year ago

"The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has come to Hicks defense and is suing the school district for what they say was a violation of the teen's Constitutional Rights."
i completely agree with it.
but teenage pregnancy should be discouraged.

Reply By

VeronicaS | about 1 year ago

Of course. The issue here is not whether the young girl should be pregnant--it's the school way of handling it that is nauseating.

Posted By

arusha-shah | about 1 year ago

it's an informative report.thanks for sharing this.rated up.

Reply By

VeronicaS | about 1 year ago

Thanks for commenting and the support.

Posted By

Adrian Holman | about 1 year ago

For once, the ACLU is supporting a good cause.

Reply By

VeronicaS | about 1 year ago

Thanks for commenting Adrian--I gather you're not a fan of the ACLU?

Posted By

AnneHart | about 1 year ago

Imagine the anxiety.

Reply By

VeronicaS | about 1 year ago

Of course and she doesn't need that kind of stress at this critical time.

Posted By

Harold Michael Harvey, J. D. | about 1 year ago

There ought to be a law against adults treating children in this manner.

Reply By

VeronicaS | about 1 year ago

I totally agree Harold. We are suppose to set an example not become the problem.

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