Guest columnist Gabrielle Nickolette McGhie: Forum students debate topics from curfews to teen pregnancy

Monday, Dec. 31, 2001 | 1:43 a.m.

Editor's note: More than 900 Clark County high school students participated in the 46th annual Sun Youth Forum Nov. 20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The students were divided into groups to discuss selected topics. A spokesperson was chosen from each discussion group to write a column about the students' findings. Gabrielle Nickolette McGhie of Las Vegas Academy tells of the students' opinions in the session entitled "Teen Topics."

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN discussed at a forum with a bunch of teenagers that would concern me? How about "Teen Topics."

All high school students have to deal with these topics on a daily basis. It's something we understand. But don't think we discussed the mall and the best movies to see. There were questions such as "Are teenage curfew laws appropriate?" So you can imagine the different viewpoints and the chaos that went on in the room.

Our first topic was whether there would be summer jobs for teens with all the layoffs in Las Vegas. One Cimarron-Memorial High School student said that it is hard for teens to find jobs in Las Vegas regardless of recent events. She said many employers look for applicants' work experience. It is hard to get work experience, especially when employers will not hire teens for many reasons (for example, based on stereotypes of teens lacking the maturity to handle a job).

After much deliberation, the group came to three conclusions: the market is more competitive because of the events of Sept. 11; many teens are willing to step aside and give the needy a chance at the jobs; and discrimination against teens is due to those teens who act in an unprofessional manner when they submit applications.

When the group began discussing teenage curfew laws, hands shot up in the air and a debate commenced. Many students from Silverado, Green Valley, Valley and Cimarron-Memorial felt that it is not fair to punish all teens because a few bad ones ruin it for the rest of us. There were questions about whether casinos should have alternate exits since teens are not allowed to walk through the venues past curfew.

On the other hand, students from Foothill, Durango, Western and Silverado felt that curfew laws are there for our protection, as well as helping to prevent teen kidnappings, rapes and gang violence. After the discussion, 25 students favored curfew laws, and 10 were against them.

The third topic we discussed was whether legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes would actually increase its use. Amazingly enough, this topic did not pack as much heat as one may expect. A student from Bishop Gorman High School offered one of the most insightful views on the issue: "Americans are known for excessive use when something is made available. Since marijuana is a doorway drug for further drug use, then drug addictions of a more risky and health-damaging nature may become a consequence of legalizing marijuana."

A Western High School student offered a more liberal perspective when she suggested that since marijuana use cuts down on nausea and certain side effects of illnesses, then medical use may lead to a medical discovery. In the end, 20 students were against legalizing marijuana and 15 favored it.

The most controversial topic was prayer and religion in school. Students were quick to begin debating as many wondered when the country became afraid of religion since we were founded as "one nation under God." If we are a free country , then why are students not allowed to carry the Bible?

One student from Silverado was concerned about punishment for group prayer in school. She said that a year ago she and her fellow students gathered in the parking lot around a students' parking spot. Her friend had passed away, and the students gathered there in remembrance of her.

School officials broke up the group and sent students to class. While they were mourning the passing of a close friend, other students were smoking and participating in activities that are not permitted on school grounds. Yet the students' prayers were "causing more of a disturbance." The question then became: Who were the students hurting? No real consensus was reached other than that schools should allow those who want to practice their religion to do so.

The final topic was teen pregnancy. Should schools teach more about sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy? More students participated in this discussion than any other. It was interesting to see the varying opinions, especially from two teen mothers in our group.

What is wrong with educating students about life situations? We felt that if more teens knew the consequences of their actions, perhaps welfare would not be as much of aproblem. Many believed that, through sex education, the school district is trying to scare teens --not educate them. Why not bring in guest speakers who have sexually transmitted diseases?

The issue of day care in high schools for teenage mothers was hotly debated. This is where the two teen mothers and some students from Cimarron-Memorial High School got into it. The mothers said they wished their schools offered similar programs. They understood that some teen mothers may take such a benefit for granted, but they said that until you have been a teen mother, you will never know the difficulty that follows you for the rest of your life.

After discussing the pros and cons of day care in schools, students decided that peer pressure and welfare are great resources if used sparingly. The discussion ended with a question: If it is not welfare that is causing problems, is a better support system needed for teenage mothers?

The Sun Youth Forum gave teenagers a great chance to step forward and show adults that not all teens fall under the stereotypes. Not too often do you find articles in the newspaper about a teen who faced impossible odds and succeeded. You'll always see the headlines about some teenager who robbed a store.

We finally got our points across and, thanks to the Sun Youth Forum, we were taken seriously for a change.