HPV Vaccine: Mandatory?

[DolphinChicaDDD]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

It bugs me that schools become the medium through which various non-academic ideas for the social good are foisted on the kids. Your attendance at middle school shouldn't be in question because you refuse a vaccine for a disease that someone couldn't really get from you, even if you had, it without pretty intimate contact. Even if we allow parents to refuse it, it's still a goofy situation to put people in.

Oh, I completely understand- and trust me, most teachers HATE IT. I think its BS that I need to devote entire lessons to character education, bullying, alcohol/drug education, to a lesser degree- sex education (yay for being moved to high school and actually have a health class!), accpetance, etc etc etc. Ideally, we shouldn't be having the debate over if the HPV vaccine should be required because the parents should be the ones who decide and who should educate their children on all of the subjects listed above.

However, parents educating thier children (as a whole, I don't mean individual because I know there are still some great parents who are acting as parents) doesn't occur anymore, and therefore it falls to the public education system and the teachers. And that is a whole 'nother debate for another thread.

I think the HPV vaccine should be at least bought up in literature for parents of girls entering into the middle school age- and not in a flyer that goes home, 90% of that information doesn't make it home. Either a mailing or depending upon the district, it should be handed out when the child enrolls. I would like to see it be one of the "reccommended" vaccines at least- like the Hepatitus vaccine and how meningitus used to be reccommended (I believe many districts now requires that vaccine.)

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DolphinChicaDDD

However, parents educating thier children (as a whole, I don't mean individual because I know there are still some great parents who are acting as parents) doesn't occur anymore, and therefore it falls to the public education system and the teachers. And that is a whole 'nother debate for another thread.

Back in the olden days (i.e. when I was a kidlet) we were shown the "Yay! Here Comes Puberty!" films (separated by boys & girls) just because there were parents who, even though they were notified the films were being shown and could elect to have their child not see them, WOULD NOT tell their kids the facts of life. Even that didn't help everyone - I still remember one of my 6th grade classmates who wore a tank top to school & hadn't shaved her pits, although she REALLY needed to. Of course, her mom was too stupid and clueless to tell her.

I'd like to think there aren't any parents like that around any more today, but I know there are.

I know a movie doesn't compare to getting a vaccine - but the simple fact of the matter is if the schools don't take care of some things they won't get taken care of - causing consequences that effect the OTHER children in the school - and that has been going on for a LONG time.