Pregnant high schoolers ask for maternity leave?

There has obviously been an increase in teen pregnancies lately, but here's a concept that is sure to stir the pot. High school girls in Denver who are slated to become new mothers are asking the school district for maternity leave in order to heal and bond. They're hoping to get at least four weeks out of the request.

Keep in mind that Denver has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates. To put it in perspective, they even have a special school for new moms and mothers-to-be. However, that school has a waiting list. So now these girls are looking for leave to avoid unexcused absences. Otherwise, they would be required to get back in the classroom the day after hospital discharge.

Should the school district work with the girls and give them maternity leave? Or would that encourage teen pregnancies, so just require attendance as usual? It's a controversial topic with no easy answer. You can see where the girls are coming from, because the body does need to recover after giving birth. On the flip side, four weeks is a long time to miss school, especially for a district with so many of these cases.