Hot on HuffPost Parents:
North Dakota Yoga Teacher Marries Herself
Erin Mantz: I Want to Talk to My Kids About Etan Patz -- But I Don't…
Student's Husband Banned From School
Filed under: In The News, Weird But True
Reading this headline, it should be apparent that this student isn't your typical high-schooler. At 17-years-old, Brittany Engstrom is married. She's a senior at Hubbard High School in Ohio and lives with her 19-year-old husband Casey and his grandmother. It is an unusual situation made even more so by the fact that Casey is not only Brittany's husband, but because she's a minor, he's her legal guardian, too. Despite all this, officials at Hubbard High have banned him from school functions. This, they say, is due to the fact that his appearance is in violation of the school's dress code, which states that "wearing pierced jewelry on any other body part than the ear, such as nose, eyebrows, lips and tongue are not permitted." Casey has ear-stretching jewelry in his ears and lip. You know, those painful-looking rings that leave giant holes in your skin.
Casey is more than willing to compromise if it means he can escort his young wife to homecoming and prom. But his offer to remove his jewelry was turned down flat. Superintendent Richard Buchenic says removing the skin-stretching pieces "was not acceptable because fluids could still come out, and I do not want to subject our students to those fluids."
Buchenic says the district's only duty to Brittany is to provide her with an education. "She chose to get married, so this is her decision. Going to dances is a privilege, not a right," Buchenic said. "She could still attend with friends."
For his part, Casey says he is misunderstood and that Buchenic's characterization of his lifestyle as "alternative" is unfair. "That offended me," he said. "I live with my wife and two cats. How alternative is my lifestyle?" (He left out grandma.)
What do you think about this? Is the concern over fluids a valid one? Is Brittany being punished for marrying while in high school? What about the fact that Brittany herself appears to have some facial piercings? And lastly, considering the fact that Casey is Brittany's legal guardian, can they really ban him from her school functions?
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- im not required to issue summons if in poverty? how could a court dismiss a complaint without a response from the defendants? is this same as to rep...
- Who lives at 1282 sharar Avenue, Opa Locka, FL?
- What can you do to prevent to much disappointment and to much struggle when that is all they see or get? This also causes angry teenagers and adults.
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Homeschooling High School Students
Learn how you can prepare and home school high school students.
-
School Launches Probe into Controversial Prom Email
An e-mail ranking junior girls on sexual experience went out to hundreds of students at Massachusetts' Ipswich High School on Sunday.
-
Private High School Tips - Application Part 2
How to Apply to Private High School - Can students apply to private high schools online?
-
Private High School Tips - Part 12
How to Apply to Private High School - How do schools decide what students they accept?
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 2 of 2)
11-29-2008 @ 7:48PM
Heza Hekele said...If this young husband is not a student, how can the school administration impose their dress code on him? I think that he would be in the right if he felt like filing a descrimination suit. Just my opinion.
Reply
12-18-2008 @ 9:51PM
Mz Wood said...I married (the first time) at the age of 16... I don't recall my husband being my "legal gaurdian". Things change I guess this was almost 30 years ago. As far as banning him from school functions are there any other "gaurdians" with piercings? Are they allowed at the school? To me it sounds like they are more worried about other kids getting ideas about piercings than leaking fluids. I agree with all of you that said they need to sue. I'd have an attorney on them so fast they wouldn't know what hit em'!!!
Reply
12-22-2008 @ 2:27AM
Mary said...It makes me wonder if they check everyone at the stadium gate before admitting them into the ball games. The general public should not be subject to their picky dress codes. Something else is going on here. I would consult an attorney.
Reply
1-06-2009 @ 6:09AM
James said...I, sadly am a gradute of this wonderful High School. Ironically i was listed as a "student with deviant behavior" by the very same superintendant over eleven years ago. I had long hair, a ponytail well down into the middle of my back, I fought against him and won. I hope these kids can do the same.
I hope one day that people in charge of the education of our youth will understand that social dynamics change every year. Eleven years ago I stood out because I had long hair. Thats nothing now tattoos and facial piercing are so common these days that I barely notice them. When will they learn that we cant all be good little automotons, and high school is when all children start to show their individuality.
Reply
1-06-2009 @ 8:29PM
Jess said...Change schools...these people are obviously just mad that this couple has found true love so early and think that they made a dumb decision and are trying to make it hard on them. People irritate me...come move to NC.
Reply
1-06-2009 @ 8:37PM
haley said...I think he should be allowed at her school if he takes his gauges out they dont leak fluid unless infected or when they just gauged there body shes 17 and hes 19 he could still be in high school would they kick a new student out even if he took out the gauges no because they cant do that under the no child left behind law unless he didnt comply with school rules after obtaining them. This schools officails just dont want to encourage teen marriages but if they were just dating they would probably allow him in the school if he took out the gauges.Plus shes a senior they should allow her to enoy her senior year who nows what her parents did to her maybe she got married to get away from them.
Reply
1-06-2009 @ 11:14PM
rdsd76 said...This is the stupidous thing I ever heard. The kid may have piercings but they are not ugly and outrageous. There is no reason why he shouldn't be allowed to be there with his own wife. It sounds like they don't want him there cause they don't like the piercings. Well it's not a big deal and it sounds like to me the superintendent is a narrow minded asshole that doesn't know what he's talking about. I have other piercings than my ears and I have never had FLUIDS leaking out of any of them. Hey Superintendent maybe you should get some facts before showing everyone you have no idea what your talking about, since you don't know what your talking about how did you become a superintendent anyhow? I'm glad your not in charge of my kids. SCARY
Reply
1-07-2009 @ 4:54AM
Kyle B said...I have gauged (stretched) ears, 1'' to be exact. I've never had any type of fluid coming out of them. I think it is really ignorant of the schoolto refuse him the ability to escort his wife to the school dance. it may be a privilage for her to attend the dance, but she does have the right for him to accompany her. I want through something similar to this with my high school. they tried to suspend me for having my stretched lobes and multiple tattoos, they said it was a clear violation of the dress code, yet they had nothing in the rule book about it. needless to say i won that fight, and i think that they can win too.
Reply
1-25-2009 @ 12:37AM
dee82 said...I work at a public school and it is not allowed to ban a parent or guardian unless they are dressed in a sexually revealing manner. Also, you might want to check your state laws about sex offenders it may surprise you. The state I live in allows sex offenders to attend the school functions their own children as long as they were not the victims. This also includes little league events as well.
Reply