Support teen mothers in school

By Devon Dick

Recently, I made a presentation at the 40th Annual Ena Thomas Memorial Lecture and Symposium, sponsored by the Medical Council of Jamaica, on the topic sexuality, health, faith, and healing. I used the opportunity to support the Ministry of Education's recent edict that school-age mothers should be reintegrated into the formal school system based on an understanding of Jesus' ministry of healing. This is an important matter because pregnancy remains the biggest contributor to the drop-out rate of female students, with some estimates claiming that 84 per cent of teen mothers do not return to school to complete their education.

Jesus the Messiah offers physical cure to individuals. However, in the ministry of Jesus, healing was more than physical wellness. From Jesus, we learn that healing has to do with wholeness. Persons went to Jesus or were taken to Jesus for healing of a physical nature, but heard that their sins were forgiven. Mark 2:5 states, "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, 'Son, thy sins be forgiven thee'." The forgiveness of sins is a dimension of human wellness because forgiveness heals the spirit.

Luke 17: 12-14 records Jesus healing 10 lepers who stood afar off. Lepers were expected to live outside the village. When the lepers requested healing, "Jesus said to them, 'Go shew yourselves unto the priests'. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed." Jesus sent the 10 lepers to go and show themselves to the religious authorities for their reintegration into the society from which they were alienated. This would facilitate their own sense of belonging and give them the assurance that healing meant more than the disappearance of the evidence of leprosy. Therefore, healing for a teenage mother includes the reintegration into a school community.

Men, generally, are treated differently after committing offences against sexual norms, in that, they experience healing, that is, reintegration into society, more quickly. Perhaps this is because it is felt that is 'suh man stay and they can't help themselves'. Recently, Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian prime minister and now senator, was found guilty of having sexual relations with an underage prostitute. This and other sexual allegations have not affected his political power or economic influence in Italy. Similarly, Bill Clinton was impeached subsequent to having oral sex with White House intern, Monica Lewinsky, and initially denying it. Clinton is still seen as an outstanding leader and is not an outcast of society.

However, it is alleged that South African Winnie Mandela, anti-apartheid activist, committed sexual indiscretions while her husband Nelson was in prison and she is generally treated as an outcast. Men, after sexual indiscretions, are integrated in society fully, while women are usually not so fortunate and school-aged mothers are getting a raw deal.

experience forgiveness

These young girls should experience healing through reintegration into the school system and be allowed to continue their education in the public-school system just like the male students who become fathers - sometimes the fathers of the children of the school-age mothers. They should be accepted, affirmed, and appreciated in the school. They should be allowed to experience forgiveness. This healing means that the offspring will be equal to all members of the community of faith and humanity.

Part of the reintegration of young mothers into the education system is to inform them that sexual instincts are God-given and sex is intended for procreation and the continuance of human race by physically, mentally and socially mature members of the species. It is for the expression of intimacy; affirmation and appreciation; for experiencing excitement and to engage in mutual pleasure by adults in a committed relationship.

Jamaicans of all walks of life should support the reintegration of school-age mothers into the formal school system.

Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. He is author of 'The Cross and the Machete', and 'Rebellion to Riot'. Send feedback to columns@ gleanerjm.com.