Gloucester High School Pregnancy Pact

The small town of Gloucester, Massachusetts is up in arms after school officials believe a group of 17 girls made a pact to become pregnant together. All of the girls involved in the alleged Gloucester high school pregnancy pact were 16-years-old or younger.“School officials discovered the pregnancy pact after some girls seemed disappointed that their pregnancy tests from the school nurse came back negative.”

Officials and psychiatrists have weighed in as to why the teens may have entered into such a pact. The fishing community of Gloucester has been facing hard economic times and becoming pregnant, according to one theory, would give the girls “status.” Another theory looks at the connection between mother and daughter.

“It sort of gives you the impression of being an adult, an independent. It may give you an opportunity for unconditional love and attention from the baby and also that you give to the baby,” Dr. Elisabeth Guthrie, a pediatric psychiatrist, says.Even more disturbing are the alleged ages of the fathers. Most of the fathers did not attend high school and one has been identified as a 24-year-old man. Massachusetts law states it’s a crime to have sex with anyone under the age of 16.