[ddhuab]

I was privately discussing this with another member whose child has a minor birthimother, but she suggested I toss this out for all of you to respond to.

On our baby's birth certificate, it lists the occupation as student and the mother's age as 16. I was wondering if many teenagers are in school at that age, or not. I have to admit, I was a bit surprised, as when I first saw the occupation, before age, my thought was "oh, she is in college!" (silly, I know, but as a perpetual grad student, college life is always first in my mind!). Then I saw her age.

Anyhoo, just wondering if anyone can offer insight into this.

D.

[judybwise]

The Guatemalan government only provides an education for children through the sixth grade. After that, their education must be paid for and that leaves out the majority of the population. Money is not available for such luxuries, therefore, children are then sent to work in fields or as house maids for the wealthier Guatemalans. Those are the lucky ones. Many are forced to "other" professions which are not desirable nor are they legal. It is so sad that they are robbed of their childhood and denied a better life that an education could provide.

[ddhuab]

What you have said supports the original impression that I had of the education system in Guatemala (although I wasn't aware that the government provided any education for children at all).

I think, though, that some of those "other occupations" actually ARE legal in Guatemala, at least for adults. It is very sad.

D.