Maine School to Offer Contraceptives

[Mrs Behavin]

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - After an outbreak of pregnancies among middle school girls, education officials in this city have decided to allow allow one school's health center to make birth control pills available to girls as young as 11. King Middle School will become the first middle school in Maine to make a full range of contraception available, including birth control pills, patches and condoms. There are no national figures on how many middle schools provide such services. Most middle schoolers range in age from 11 to 13.

"It's very rare that middle schools do this," said Divya Mohan, a spokeswoman for the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care.

Portland's three middle schools reported 17 pregnancies during the last four years, not counting miscarriages or terminated pregnancies that weren't reported to the school nurse.

The Portland School Committee approved the plan, offered by city health officials, on a 7-2 vote Wednesday night. Whether the prescriptions would be offered this school year or next wasn't immediately clear.

King is the only one of the three schools with a health center, primarily because it has more students who get free or reduced-price lunch, said Lisa Belanger, who oversees Portland's student health centers.

Five of the 134 students who visited King's health center during the 2006-07 school year reported having sexual intercourse, said Amanda Rowe, lead nurse in Portland's school health centers.

Committee member Sarah Thompson, also the mother of a King eighth-grader, supported the policy, even though it made her "uncomfortable."

WJLA - Maine School to Offer Contraceptives

 

[GraceAbounds]

I was just getting ready to post this same article.

I was shocked to read this article.

The slope is getting more slippery all the time. Prepare for the government to come into your home and start raising your kid how they see fit.

 

[Tim]

I say that before we go to this extreme, that we scrap the abstinence only program and develop a more comprehensive sex education program that will properly equip these kids who are going to have sex whether they are educated or not.

 

[GraceAbounds]

I agree that education is best. I also agree according to education that abstinence is best as well. I agree that all aspects of sexual education needs to be taught.

However, this is an assumption:

who are going to have sex whether they are educated or not.

Sure they are going to have sex eventually, but it is an assumption that they are going to have sex while they are still kids.

 

[Tim]

Sure they are going to have sex eventually, but it is an assumption that they are going to have sex while they are still kids.

What I meant was, they will not wait to have sex because they weren't properly educated about it. If they are going to have sex, they will do it no matter how well educated they are about it.

I would rather see no kids having sex, but that will never be a reality. The next course of action I would strive for is teaching abstinence, but since that will not prevent kids from having sex... I would want to make sure that they were properly equipped to do it right, safe and with a little knowledge under their belt.

It would be the same as having a loaded gun in your house accessible to children and telling them to NEVER touch it. Yet never teaching them gun safety which would include the dangers of handling a gun, etc...

 

[Maritxu]

I say that before we go to this extreme, that we scrap the abstinence only program and develop a more comprehensive sex education program that will properly equip these kids who are going to have sex whether they are educated or not.

My thoughts exactly:clap

 

[All Else Failed]

Abstinence programs lead to teen pregnancies.

This is a good idea.

 

[teh_fuzz]

heard this on the rdio this morning and the wife and i have different points of view on the matter (almost):

On here side:
It is not up for discussion, no way kids shoiuld have contraceptives at such a young age, they sholdnt even be doing that kind of things. (she is very very conservative as you can see)

On my side:
Kids will have sex sooner than most of us had, the fact that kids are not mentally, emotionally prepared or educated should not fall on the education system! It is the parents that should worry about this, educate their kids, help them understand the things they may not be aware of such consequences as: STD's, pregnancy and the difficulties that these things bring. If the school handing out goods will prevent the teenage parenting of another baby... lets do it. HOWEVER, lets not forget however that educating the child on sex should be left up to the parents, not the school system.

What could go wrong: People will see it as a scapegoat and I can see people blaming the school system at their kids getting pregnant.

Whew... again this is only my opinion, take it as you will.

 

[GraceAbounds]

What I meant was, they will not wait to have sex because they weren't properly educated about it. If they are going to have sex, they will do it no matter how well educated they are about it.

I would rather see no kids having sex, but that will never be a reality. The next course of action I would strive for is teaching abstinence, but since that will not prevent kids from having sex... I would want to make sure that they were properly equipped to do it right, safe and with a little knowledge under their belt.

It would be the same as having a loaded gun in your house accessible to children and telling them to NEVER touch it. Yet never teaching them gun safety which would include the dangers of handling a gun, etc...

Thanks for elaborating. I totally agree.

 

[Tim]

In a responsible society it IS the parents responsibility to educate their children about the consequences of having sex.
But we don't live in a responsible society anymore. We live in a society where in most families both parents need to work to support their family (providing that their are 2 parents) A society where TV has become the #1 babysitter. A society where community is looked at as a location where you live and not a support as it should be. A society where you can't trust your neighbors and you scan the internet looking for the nearest sex offender to your house...

Yes, there are families where the children are taught well, where they are given the tools they need to make good decisions in life. But that is not the norm.... if it were, there wouldn't be such a high rate of teen pregnancy, teen suicide, teen drug use...

When you are able to finally pull your head out of the sand and realize that we don't live in a world where most kids get proper parenting, you need to handle the problem at hand. It isn't productive to say "Well they should be getting this from their parents" because it isn't happening that way, and it hasn't been for a long time now.

I believe that if a child is going to be exposed to sexual content in music, TV, friends, piers, etc... then it only makes sense that they will have questions or will try experimenting eventually. And since this program is brought about by those children that don't have great relations with their parents, it is them who will benefit from this. If they don't talk to their parents about birth control (for what ever reason) wouldn't you want them talking to some other adult about it? Do you really think that the school would just leave packs of birth control laying around for anyone to snatch up? Don't you think that there are going to be requirements and education that go with it? A sit down with the nurse or counselor to go over everything...

That sounds a hell of a lot better than to leave the kids to fend for themselves... at least it's a place that they can go.

Kids are already equipped to have sex and most have enough knowledge to get into some serious trouble... lets give them a place where they can get what they really need

 

[GraceAbounds]

Abstinence programs lead to teen pregnancies.

This is a good idea.

No they don't. That is ridiculous left wing jibber jabber right there. Just like saying abstinence programs are going to protect all kids from STD's is ridiculous right wing jibber jabber.

Abstinence is what is most safe (100%), but if the kids choose to make a choice besides abstinence they need to know the next safest course of action to take as a means of precaution against STD's and pregnancy. They need to be taught both of these facts. It is what is taught at the college level. Too bad the same level of education isn't being taught when the kids hit puberty.

 

[All Else Failed]

Tim, we never lived in a responsible society.

 

[GraceAbounds]

In a responsible society it IS the parents responsibility to educate their children about the consequences of having sex.
But we don't live in a responsible society anymore. We live in a society where in most families both parents need to work to support their family (providing that their are 2 parents) A society where TV has become the #1 babysitter. A society where community is looked at as a location where you live and not a support as it should be. A society where you can't trust your neighbors and you scan the internet looking for the nearest sex offender to your house...

Yes, there are families where the children are taught well, where they are given the tools they need to make good decisions in life. But that is not the norm.... if it were, there wouldn't be such a high rate of teen pregnancy, teen suicide, teen drug use...

When you are able to finally pull your head out of the sand and realize that we don't live in a world where most kids get proper parenting, you need to handle the problem at hand. It isn't productive to say "Well they should be getting this from their parents" because it isn't happening that way, and it hasn't been for a long time now.

I believe that if a child is going to be exposed to sexual content in music, TV, friends, piers, etc... then it only makes sense that they will have questions or will try experimenting eventually. And since this program is brought about by those children that don't have great relations with their parents, it is them who will benefit from this. If they don't talk to their parents about birth control (for what ever reason) wouldn't you want them talking to some other adult about it? Do you really think that the school would just leave packs of birth control laying around for anyone to snatch up? Don't you think that there are going to be requirements and education that go with it? A sit down with the nurse or counselor to go over everything...

That sounds a hell of a lot better than to leave the kids to fend for themselves... at least it's a place that they can go.

Kids are already equipped to have sex and most have enough knowledge to get into some serious trouble... lets give them a place where they can get what they really need

You know, this is an excellent post Tim. I can really see your heart in it. And while all very logical, the problem lies in the fact that due to other parent's irresponsibility the way I choose to raise my children and the values that I am teaching my children are being intruded upon. It creates a slippery slope. It is one thing to educate, which I am all for education, and another thing completely to give my child any type of drug without my consent.

The family unit and the way parents choose to raise their children should not be infringed upon due to the the wrong doings of irresponsible parents.
This may be a little far fetched for an example, but you'll at least get the idea behind my thinking. -> I think that kids that are overweight are mostly due to irresponsible, uneducated, irresponsible parents in most cases. I would not however condone giving that kid a diet pill without the parents consent.

Education is the way to go. Responsibility has to ultimately lie with the parent responsible for said child. If the parent is neglecting a child we have an agency set up to handle that. Anymore interference and the state may as well raise the kids. And to that I say stay the hell away from my child. I see the state of our society and what the outer appearance of it shows it to value and it is to the opposite of that outer appearance in which I raise my children.

 

[All Else Failed]

No they don't. That is ridiculous left wing jibber jabber right there. Just like saying abstinence programs are going to protect all kids from STD's is ridiculous right wing jibber jabber.

Abstinence is what is most safe (100%), but if the kids choose to make a choice besides abstinence they need to know the next safest course of action to take as a means of precaution against STD's and pregnancy. They need to be taught both of these facts. It is what is taught at the college level. Too bad the same level of education isn't being taught when the kids hit puberty.

They do. Abstinence ONLY programs and having no other alternative is counterproductive to kid's well being. " Don't have sex, ever! So you won't needing these condoms, too!" So when the idea of abstinence fails when Suzie and johnny start to get hot an heavy they won't be educated on how to properly use contraceptives. Of course this will happen outside of abstinence programs, but its pretty much been proven that teaching abstinence only programs with no other alternative fail miserably, for the simple reason that hormones are stronger than words.

 

[GraceAbounds]

They do. Abstinence ONLY programs and having no other alternative is counterproductive to kid's well being. " Don't have sex, ever! So you won't needing these condoms, too!" So when the idea of abstinence fails when Suzie and johnny start to get hot an heavy they won't be educated on how to properly use contraceptives. Of course this will happen outside of abstinence programs, but its pretty much been proven that teaching abstinence only programs with no other alternative fail miserably, for the simple reason that hormones are stronger than words.

Yes, just like a condom fails when people decide to not use them anymore.

Abstinence works 100% of the time when used. Condoms work 86% of the time for first year users of them in the United States.

I agree that both need to be taught.

 

[Tim]

You know, this is an excellent post Tim. I can really see your heart in it. And while all very logical, the problem lies in the fact that due to other parent's irresponsibility the way I choose to raise my children and the values that I am teaching my children are being intruded upon. It creates a slippery slope. It is one thing to educate, which I am all for education, and another thing completely to give my child any type of drug without my consent.

The family unit and the way parents choose to raise their children should not be infringed upon due to the the wrong doings of irresponsible parents.
This may be a little far fetched for an example, but you'll at least get the idea behind my thinking. -> I think that kids that are overweight are mostly due to irresponsible, uneducated, irresponsible parents in most cases. I would not however condone giving that kid a diet pill without the parents consent.

Education is the way to go. Responsibility has to ultimately lie with the parent responsible for said child. If the parent is neglecting a child we have an agency set up to handle that. Anymore interference and the state may as well raise the kids. And to that I say stay the hell away from my child. I see the state of our society and what the outer appearance of it shows it to value and it is to the opposite of that outer appearance in which I raise my children.

Ok, now that we are somewhat on the same page... here is where my point goes to the next level...

Yes I see your point of YOU wanting to raise your children and not have the state do it for you. I am the same way, I don't want the state giving my daughter birth control.... BUT, since I am a responsible parent, I would have already had this conversation with her. She will know that she can come to me about this and we would go to our own doctor if need be. I would hope that how I raised her would reflect in which road she traveled. I would hope that she would remain abstinent and not need to see the school nurse. But if I did fail in this area, I would also like to know that she is able to talk to a responsible adult about it...

Just because the program is available, it doesn't mean that your child will use it... It is how YOU raised your child and the morals you taught them that will direct them. So it IS you that is raising your child and this program from the state in no way affects you or your child....

Now do you see my point in this? If the child has good morals and a strong family support system, this program means nothing to them or the family. But if they don't, then it is available............. and we may end up with a few less teen pregnancies, abortions, single mothers, poverty, high school drop outs..

 

[All Else Failed]

Yes, just like a condom fails when people decide to not use them anymore.

Abstinence works 100% of the time when used. Condoms work 86% of the time for first year users of them in the United States.

I agree that both need to be taught.

Well abstinence is hardly EVER used. Most teens engage in sexual activity early in life no matter what.

 

[GraceAbounds]

Tim, I'm right there with you. Now, I don't know if you will take this for what it is truly worth, but what I am getting ready to say comes from experience and experience only.

Society places a huge part in pushing what it values on to a child. I can't tell you how difficult it is to fight the wrong values from society that our pushed onto my kids. I can't begin to tell you all I do to fight what society tries to teach my child as right, but which isn't imo.

Children are not only influenced and taught by their parents. Most children are naturally inclined to actually rebel against their parents teachings during different stages of their childhood. When a child spends 40 a hours a week in school you can bet that if there is a difference in values taught it is going to create a conflict in many child's mind.

I don't want to write a book here, but if you can put yourself in my shoes - understand this: I am exhausted everyday from teaching my kids the opposite of what they are exposed to in this world. The consistency that must be displayed in word and action by me for the child to actually take on those same values and stand firm in them is exhausting.

Just because the program is available, it doesn't mean that your child will use it... It is how YOU raised your child and the morals you taught them that will direct them. So it IS you that is raising your child and this program from the state in no way affects you or your child....

As I tried to explain above it isn't just how you raised your child that effects the child. Everything about their world effects them, while hopefully, yes, you have the largest influence on them of all.

Now do you see my point in this? If the child has good morals and a strong family support system, this program means nothing to them or the family. But if they don't, then it is available............. and we may end up with a few less teen pregnancies, abortions, single mothers, poverty, high school drop outs..

I don't have a problem with the program. I have a problem with the lack of parental consent and involvement of the parent in the health care of their child in this program.

 

[Tim]

This is why I think Abstinence Only programs don't work. You MUST give them ALL the information while stressing abstinence. I believe that mixing the two provide the best education.

Look at the statistics on how many kids have sex in school... it's shocking.

http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/tables/23_Table_1.htm

 

[GraceAbounds]

You MUST give them ALL the information while stressing abstinence. I believe that mixing the two provide the best education.

I absolutely agree that this is what needs to take place. I just do not want anyone giving my child prescription drugs without my knowledge or consent.