I am struck by a headline who points out that breastfeeding rooms are not a good idea, but I notice that he refers to Nursing rooms in schools, for students who are mothers In Panama.
But this idea that aims to give opportunities to teenage mothers has generated controversy in Panamanians, who often show themselves against the issue, pointing out that it could be a bad example, which would increase cases of teenage pregnancies (most unwanted) and The best thing is that these mothers stay in each with the baby.
Specifically, the news refers to a proposed law that would allow the realization of special classrooms, so that young women breastfeed their babies in schools or institutes (the centers where Bachelor is studied are named).
It is very difficult for a girl who is a mother to continue her "normal" life like that of her fellow students, if she has a baby. Unless you ignore him and take care of the grandparents, for example. Something to which many grandparents lend themselves because they feel that otherwise their daughter is missing something.
But if that young woman has decided to have the baby nor should it be excluded from the education system but to facilitate things. So, those breastfeeding rooms seem like a good idea, but it would seem better if distance education was facilitated (as it seems to be done in that country) so you don't have to go with your baby.
In Panama, the new laws establish that adolescent mothers will study by modules or any appropriate methodology that guarantees the end of the course in which they are going, supervised by teachers. But the proposal has not been approved so far.
Increase in the number of teenage pregnancies
This is a project that came to light in 2010, in a context of increasing the number of pregnant children, when the project for schools to establish "Breastfeeding Rooms" where young women can attend classes with their children, so they learn the responsibilities of being mothers.
In any case, budgets are going completely to improve and expand schools in Panama to accommodate all students. And it is clear that enabling a suitable breastfeeding room is not free. The space that would be required is not just any place where you can breastfeed or express your milk, you must have very high hygiene conditions for the mother and the baby.
In any case, in theory, schools should already have a lactation room for teachers, because according to the Law every working mother has the right to one hour of breastfeeding in her working day. Another thing is that they are provided with adequate space to breastfeed ...
But if on some aspect the political and educational leaders could focus, perhaps it would be that of the education to avoid unwanted pregnancies at such early ages. Pregnancy in adolescence is mostly unforeseen or unwanted, caused by the practice of sexual intercourse without contraceptive methods, a risky practice.
In addition, pregnancy at this stage carries a high risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, with the consequent increase in maternal, perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates.
But the adverse consequences of teenage pregnancy are not only physical, but also have socio-cultural, psychological and economic implications, with high personal, educational, family and social costs.
Therefore, if I had to put in the balance a nursing room for students or better sex education in schools, I would consider the second option much more "practical." Although, as they are not incompatible, I would not discard the idea of the rooms, as I have commented above, commenting on these young mothers with other help.
Photos | Prefecture of the Province of Guayas and medea_material in Flickr More information | Breast milk banks, Panama America In Babies and more | Teenage mothers on television, help or morbid ?, Pregnancy in adolescence, I have seen nursing rooms that you could not believe
