it's strange how dumb kids are and how easily and willingly they end up with one of 'em pregnant. I have these really fun well behaved students, sister and brother, who are living here in okc with their aunt, who already has 3 or 4 kids of her own to take care of...anyway, the dumb part, well they both really cute innocent type kids in their own way, the younger brother at 14 so typically 9th grade, and the sis at 17 just absolutely BEAUTFUL, her eyes, smile, just so much potential....well this morning she found out she was 2 months pregnant. GEE WHIZ!!! apparently a little romantic goodbye from her ex BF before leaving Mexico. The idea that these kids go at it so recklessly, I dunno, I mean you'd like to think gay guys wouldn't even consider sex unprotected but I've been in situations TONS of times (tons is for effect, what I really mean is many times) when a guy is ready to just go for it, protected sex or no. I'd like to think most guys are smart enough to consider the child support they'll be paying forever or the girl smart enough not to let that happen. but alas, this girl I just know will end up not even finishing high school, and she'll get more and more pregnant and have the kid before the school year's over, and yet I'll be throwing all the time and energy I can to teaching her English. I mean same as I do anyone in the class. It's difficult sometime to keep that optimistic outlook that you can teach them English, they can get a diploma, and then maybe, yes, maybe even college!!! or not.
another girl we had in the newcomer program lives with her older sister here in the states and the sister today was visiting for parent/teacher conferences this morning, saying it's all she can do to keep the girl in the house and not out getting pregnant. yup and this girl, also so pretty and she actually has a smart mind, yet she probably wants nothing more than to find a daddy. useless useless. she's been ditching classes so the school will put her on a contract so that if she keeps ditching they'll just say Goodbye. :)
The girl S who is in my class, 16 and with a 2 yo boy, came today with her mom, and 3 other younger brothers, the youngest which was only a few years older than his nephew. we spoke to her about supporting her and only wanting the best for her future by teaching her English, we had to make the point for her to pay attention and participate, and of course NO MORE CELL PHONE. ok one more.
this kid from Honduras came in with his dad, we mentioned how sometimes he seems moody at school, although other days a great student and super sharp (in more or less the same idea but we were speaking Spansh, ha) anyway the dad said he understood and that he left his son there at 1 yo, and now at 15 he was just getting to know him again.. yeah I guess so. also that his mother lived in spain, and that the GRandmother who raised the kid was like his mom and they were always atatched. blah blah, anyway, we said again we support and only want the best for the kids.
The dad mentioned how dangerous the gangs had become there. and indeed we've already been told by the kid that his uncle was mixed up with all the gangs there and a threat had been made on his extended family, which is why he had to come to the US in the first place ( he is the same student I mentioned was abandoned in the AZ desert by the traffikers. we have other students that are either here with their parents or some family member. the ones with 2 parents obviously we see the most support at home. home now and ready to get my weekend on! :)
EDIT: by dumb I mean careless obviously.... kids don't thnk, on the other hand I think it might reflect a sense of hopelessness of future or reason of life. the unstable moving around, living in a country illegally etc, too dangerous to live in your own country, living away from your parents, finding some sort of escape from it all with the dream of finding a man and child to give your life to perhaps. dunno... on the one hand you know I'm very supportive of tight borders and anti-illegal immigrant legislation completely, and yet on the other hand I know personal stories of trouble and fears and dangers of families living in Mexico who come here for a better/safer life. Why else would there still be so many Mexicans CONTINUING to come in illegally in a time of such jobless recession. They are working the jobs that even the unemployed are just too good enough for I suppose.....
ANONYMOUS: absolutely both countries share the blame, I agree one sells drugs, the other guns of course of course. America is happy to use the free trade agreement with Mexico although working rights and conditions there like all the countries we import from are absolutely awful. and I should also say about kids above, this applies to all American kids who can end up pregnant in highschool. I'm just mentioning the students I have in class and how much I hope I could inspire them to do/be more.
8 comments:
The mexican have every intention of getting pregnant as fast as they can. they know in time they will be the majority in our country. The US will be an extension of mexico. Remember, if they are born in the US they are automatically citizens and are entitled to all the benefits... they are dumb? We, the tax paying citizens, are dumb...
I'm all for enforcing the border but that doesn't mean I don't have compassion for the kids caught up in this mess. No simple solutions but both political parties lack the will to address the problem and it is long, long past the time they do.
hello, no offence. However, I sometimes think how narrow-minded Americans have. Apparently, all the bad things come from the south of the border. violence, drug... They are dangerous and finally they are going to threaten (or already) US security. But, have you ever thought about the fact that who are selling all the guns and arms to the Mexican drug dealers and cartels??? They are Americans!!!!!! If you are ESL teacher, I beg you think this difficult situation related between two countries historically and systemically. I like your blog, that's why I bother to say something like this.
Anon 6:07
Point taken but you fail to acknowledge Mexico's inability to provide for her own citizens and the long term and pervasive corruption that is endemic. It may be in our best interests to help Mexico but until we get control of our borders, we will continue to be frustrated by the problems that illegal immigration presents to this country.
the decline and fall of america...in our lifetime.
it must be very difficult to remain positive. hang in there dan.
cheers!
rugbysex, unfortunately your comment on our country is on the mark as much as I hate reading or saying it.
Another example: Mayor Bloomberg won't allow any religious services/speeches at the 9/11 services next weekend. According to the reporter this is because they are worried about offending the muslims if they are not asked to participate. I forget, who was flying those planes on 9/11????????
Dude what is up with the title it sounds super Racist and your a teacher even worst!! you know darn n well its just not mexicans n hispanics getting prego at a young age, White girls prob have the higest teenage pregency avaerage, not just mexicans, sounds like your be a hater. i am a super big fan of your blog, i am half mexican half white, little bit let down
James,
The title isn't racist - it's factual. One of his Mexican students is pregnant. I think it says more about readers and what they take that to mean that indicates racism - just look at the other comments. I also think you're probably being a little over sensitive - which is understandable if you encounter racism everyday in real life and on TV (as I'm assuming you do). Context is everything and if you put the title in to the context of the whole article, Dan talks of how he's trying to do the best for the kids and his level of frustration is evident. Dan's posts sometimes lose clarity as his punctuate isn't great (but then he has said he teaches English all day and grammar and spelling isn't his priority in the blog) but his blog, and this post, aren't racist.
Best
Richard (Australia)
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