Condoms, Pills, . . .
 

Should schools be in the business of providing birth control to students.

If they really want to make a difference in Teen Pregnancy, decrease the spread of STDs, and demonstrate overall responsibility, they would. It's certainly time to be real.

I'll say NO!!

We need to teach our children sexual abstence, not sexual ability.

N'Quisitive
6-OE-99

"When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you...
Prov.2:10,11

Yes, I believe that children should be taught the virtue of not having sex until married, but tht's just not what this World is anymore. Kids are going to have sex whether we want them to or not, so they might as well be able to get all the birth control they can get.
Erin http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I'm sorry, we can't be hypocritical here! I just have to say this one observation. How can we say it is not okay for teenage girls--that includes 19 year olds--to get pregnant when unmarried women who are 30-something are fearful that their biological clock is gonna explode and go out there and get pregnant just the same? And I don't wanna hear about a 30-something women is better equip to take care of a baby than a 19 year old!!! I can understand that teen girls haven't been taught about where babies come from--but how can a 30-something woman not know??? Unless she clinically has the capacity of a 6 year old? And if a 30-something woman has the capacity of a 6 year old, the pervert that got her pregnant needs to be shot!!! And most woman I know that are 30-something, tested way above average intelligence!!! I'm venting because I just found out another one of my 30-something girlfriend is "expecting" and is un-wed... Is this how you have to get a man these days?

Soror, AKAMonet,

I sure hope it isn't! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif

As far as the subject of this thread. I will say YES!

I work on a high school campus. And ALL of the stomachs I see swollen are just RIDICULOUS! Many are dropping out in DROVES! If they do remain in school, their grades are just as ridiculous. How can one concentrate on the ABCs when the "little one" is out of diapers? is sick? no babysitter, which leads to severe absentee, which leads to automatic FAILURE of that grade. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif

Then, you have those who have 3 children by the age of 16...that's ANOTHER thread! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif

The senior prom is Saturday night, many of the girls will probably have a wonderful Valentine's Day gift....A BUNDLE OF JOY!

Something has to be done!

In my opinion!

I have to say NO.
High schools shouldn't "support" Teen Sex. They should be teaching abstinence.

When we talk to teenagers about the perils of drugs, we just say, "Don't do Drugs". Simple, Point Blank. We don't hand out brand new needles and say, "Hey, if you're going to do drugs anyway, be safe and don't share needles."

Why should we treat Teen sex any differently?

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Sweeter than sugar and as good to you as milk
ZETAS are Finer Women and they're smooth as silk.

Yeah, shoulda, woulda, coulda.

The REALITY is that abstinence is OUT the door. Like I said in my previous post, the children ARE NOT abstaining from anything.

We can spend a whole lot of time talking about what should be done, what could be done and WHO should be doing it. THE FACT IS THESE CHILDREN ARE HAVING SEX AND ARE BECOMING PREGNANT, many of them more than ONCE! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif

Something has to be done and it has to start SOMEWHERE! AND IT HASN'T BEEN IN THE HOMES, MOST TIMES! 9 times out of 10, the homes "support" this type of behavior ANYWAY! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Drugs? Yeah, talk is cheap. The drugsters are winning the "war on drugs" because of that "talking" rhetoric.

Use my PRECIOUS tax dollars for something other than someone giving a speech, posters on the wall, and all that other mess that HASN'T AND ISN'T working!

That's just my HONEST opinion.

"When we talk to teenagers about the perils of drugs, we just say, "Don't do Drugs". Simple,Point Blank. We don't hand out brand new needles and say, "Hey, if you're going to do drugs anyway, be safe and don't share needles."

However I feel it is a little far fetched to compare drug abuse to sex. Abstinence is a moral issue and should be taught in the home. Safe and responsible sex is a social issue that should be welcomed in the school.

For those that believe abstinence should be taught, is this something that should be extended to teenagers only or also people who are unmarried?

[This message has been edited by joykhunt (edited May 12, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by joykhunt (edited May 12, 2001).]

I say no, no, no!

Why not?

Because I send my children to school to receive an education, not condoms & birth control pills. I am mortified at the thought.

However, I'm realistic. I know that children, if they choose to, will get involved in sex, drugs, and whatever else is out there. As a parent, it's my job to teach my children the facts, then to teach them responsibility and stress the importance of making the right choices and the consequences that arise when you do not. If I feel that placing my daughter on birth control pills is best for her, or giving them access to condoms is needed, then again (Lord forbid) that's a decision (however difficult) that I must make as a parent. I'm not comforatble with the possibility that I could be sending them to an institution that in a sense makes this decision for me.

I also realize that there are parents out there that don't accept responsibility in their roles, however, I still don't think it's the place of the school to pass out birth control. The schools may educate them on where they can receive these things (i.e. the Health Department) if they need them, but not pass them out.



[This message has been edited by tickledpink (edited May 14, 2001).]

Good point, N'Quisitive. What these sex ed experts don't know is that condoms and pills do not protect against SOUL TIES, which accounts for a lot of the drama in today's relationships. I have seen it happen, and experienced it, so I know what I am talking about.

It is very true that many parents don't take on the responsibility of teaching their children the perils of teenage sex. I am a high school counselor, and I talk to nearly every pregnant child on my campus. Many of the parents came in and when I ask them if they were aware that their child was having sex, they say yes. They often follow that with "but she PROMISED that she would stop after the pregnancy scare last year". http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif
Parents don't seem to understand that once their children start having sex, they are not likely to stop. They have to bite the bullet and change their approach (ie focus on pregnancy and STD prevention). You would be surprised by how many students get pregnant for a second time because their parents would not provide birth control after the first pregnancy. At this time, they will often convince themselves that it is my fault for not providing adequate counseling! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif

TicklePink,

In theory, I agree with you. It IS the responsibility of the parent(S) to explain sex and the responsibilities that go with it, but young minds are naturally curious. Add to that curious mind some active hormones, and you've got trouble-trouble that could possibly had been avoided if there was a place where a young man or woman could've picked up a condom. If they had a condom and used it, the parent would only have to worry about their child being sexually active, instead of worrying if their child contracted an std, or is now expecting a child, or both.
Curiousity is a natural part of being young, and it kills more than cats.

I feel that only in high schools they should be given out. They should only be given out after a sex ed class/seminar and they should be limited to 3 per student for a once a year class/seminar.

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"If you know from whence you came there is no limit to where you can go." 'Frederick Douglas'

i think they should give them out to high school students. you can't judge everyone's mentality level on age alone (because I know some 30yrolds. who act worse then my goddaughter). also, it would be nice to know that the older folks do care whether or not safe sex is being practiced in the home as opposed to them sneaking and doing it and not having the proper gear (if you know what I mean).

112

Yes, condoms & birth control pills should be given out in schools. Forget the moral aspect for a second. STDs and pregnancy are health issuesas well and if the mechanics of reproduction are taught then ALL ASPECTS STD prevention & protection and pregnancy prevention should be taught.

High school students are not the only ones who get pregnant. A girl an start her cycle as young as NINE, that's FOURTH GRADE y'all. I know we don't want to think about a 9-, 10- or 11-year-old having sex & getting pregnant but it happens. These things need to be taught if not by the PARENTS then by the school.

I'm glad to know I'm in the company of responsibile parents who teach these issues at home. It's a darn shame that school employees have to pick up the slack for some parents. If given a choice, I'd much rather have my tax dollars pay for a comprehensive STD & pregnancy prevention program than for a day care center in a middle or high school.

[This message has been edited by 12dn94dst (edited May 15, 2001).]

I understand where you and everyone else is coming from completely. I've worked in the school system before and knowing that there are educators that are posting as well, we've seen many cases where parents are just not taking the responsibility that they should for their children. As a former educator in an elementary school, I've had to take up the slack for a parent that doesn't take responsibility (until the child gets into serious trouble that is -- then they want to scream at the teacher). I've pulled our babies to side, combed heads, given that extra tutoring, bought clothes,...

I know that children are growing up fast. I mentored a 4th grader (10 yrs old)that was as tall as I am with the whole package, and trust me, I am not a short woman. However, if I worked in a middle school or high school, then I would view my responsibility as to educate children about safe sex, but not giving out BCs. If I noticed that there was a child that seemed verrrry curious, I'd have to have a "safe" talk with them, to let them know that I care about them, and I am there for them, and to talk to them about making sure that they use condoms, etc. if this is what they plan on doing.

Ideally, I wish that they would wait until they are married, or that their parents would take a more proactive role, however, I realize that this is not an ideal world. But I still don't think that the school is the place to pass out BCs.

This is a very valid point and I agree somewhat. I agree that sex education should be taught in schools other than Highschool such as Junior high or middle school (4th or 5th grade.) However, I would not issue condomns to anyone unless you were in highschool (a teenager.)



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"If you know from whence you came there is no limit to where you can go." 'Frederick Douglas'

what's your rationale for waiting until high school? i'm not saying send the 4th graders home with a bag full of condoms, jelly, foam, etc., just have them available in the nurse's (do schools still have nurses? they've cut funding for everything else) or principal's office.

When you asked the question of rationale, my first thought went to my 12 year old niece. Last week she told her mother that she was going to the mall with her (girl)friend. When my brother went to go pick her up she was caught at the mall with a sixteen year old boy that was her friends older brother. I know she is starting to have thoughts and ideas about the whole sex things but if you issue a condomn/pill, etc. to a child you are simply stating that now you have a choice of having sex the safe way or not.

But if you break down my last sentence it is saying to me that the nurse/school official is thinking that they are having sex anyway, why not give them the choice of having it the safe way (condom/pill) or not the safe way (no condomn/pill.)

I really hope that my 12 year old niece is thinking about getting her groove on by kissing this boy and things like that but not "going all the way" (remember that http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif ). It should probably be in the office but if someone asks for it they would have to go to some kind of class/seminar first before it is issued by a school official.

I also would like to relate that I see no problem with giving a class/seminar about sex ed in schools other than Highschools but I just don't agree with giving out the condomns.



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"If you know from whence you came there is no limit to where you can go." 'Frederick Douglas'

Good topic:

I agree that moral issues such as abstinence and sexual responsibility should be taught by parents.

I also agree that concoms should be made available at junior high and high schools to adolescents that want them. I also think that when they come to get them, they should also be given information about STIs, etc.

I do not agree that discussing sex "makes" kids have sex.

I was previously an HIV Pre/Posttest counselor and also conducted workshops in middle and high schools.

I went to a middle school where we mainly discussed "postponing" sex. There was a 6th grade class so I was doing my thing. One of the girls who was 12 was looking at me CRAZY, like not listening. I addressed her and she was basically like I shoulda caught her in like 4th grade or some shyt. She had a two year old baby at home and was pregnant with her second. I was like "Dang."

I wish there wasn't a need for them to.

Philosophically, I'd say no...but in reality...I'd say yes...I hate to see a young 12 or 13 girl pushing a stroller or saying, "my goal in life is to be a baby momma." But, I also feel that it all goes back to the home...if the right things aren't being taught there...then young girls and boys are gonna be "active" at young ages. Just thinking about it makes me want to shake my head...

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The Epitome of Beauty, Style, and Grace, Always Exemplifying Good Taste, A Zeta Woman, A Finer Woman, That's Me!

[This message has been edited by PrettyKitty (edited May 25, 2001).]

i think birth control should be available, but not necessarily given out. yeah, abstinence is the best way, but in this day and age it's not realistic. teens need to know the truth about sex and the resources they need to have a healthy and responsible sex life. Sex ed needs to be taught and then students need to know that they can confidentially go to the school nurse or counselor and get the birth control that they need.
My high school had a wellness center where we could go and get birth control and condoms, in addition to std testing and counseling. They also provided counseling on self-esteem issues, nutrition, and family problems. There needs to be more places like this where teens can find the resources that they need so that they can live healthy lives

Sounds like a great program.

YES! I am an ardent supporter of having safer sex supplies available in high school (maybe not condom dispensers in the bathrooms, but with a counselor or in the nurse's office). Not every girl lives in an urban area, where she can go to PP/free clinics to get birth control without her parents' knowledge and/or consent, and her high school might be the one place she feels comfortable getting this sort of information.

If we (as a people or society) can do anything in our power to prevent the astronomical teen pregnancy rates, we should.

Another thing we must realize is that pregnancy is only one of the consequences of sexual activity. STDs are rampant, from diseases which are curable (but may cause infertility) to incurable diseases like herpes and HPV (which is often targeted as a cause of cervical cancer later on in life).

This week marks the 20th anniversary of the CDC's reporting of GRID, which later became HIV/AIDS. 22 million people have died, most because they did not practice safer sex. We cannot sit idly by and watch young people get sick and die, because we were too vain or self-righteous to make protection available.

It's nice to promote abstinence programs, but they really don't work. Most are (and I'm not saying anything is wrong with this) faith-based, and WILL NOT mention safer sex or alternatives to sexual intercourse. A survey of people who had signed abstinence pledges such as True Love Waits discovered that the pledgees (?) had not participated in sexual intercourse, but were doing "everything but" (including anal activity) without protection! I have a HUGE BEEF with these programs. In a previous thread, I discussed my issues with them...I think it's in the AKA forum.

yes...but not haphazardly...and it should accompany some sort of BENEFICIAL sex education program not one that leaves you with the just say no as the only option...not everyone will choose not to have sex and it is ignorant of anyone to not at least make available (as opposed to handing out) condoms, pills, etc...it has been proven that regardless of how many speeches, guilt trips, and religious indoctrinations a youth goes through...ultimately they will decide for themselves and i would rather my daughter or son have protected themselves than be trying to explain to me three months later why they were afraid to ask me for money to purchase condoms or pay for pills... http://www.plauder-smilies.de/smhair.gif http://www.plauder-smilies.de/sad/bigcry.gif http://www.plauder-smilies.de/sad/ponder.gif





[This message has been edited by SableCherub (edited June 06, 2001).]