Local high school to pass out condoms....

Sept.07Bride · December 2009

So a local highschool voted last night to start passing out condoms during school hours. It passed with 100% of the school board voting yes. As of next school year, kids will be able to go to the school nurse and receive condoms and they do not need to notify the parents. Does anyone else see something VERY wrong with this? They r trying to reduce the spread of stds but to me and my husband and im sure plenty of parents of students at the school feel the school is promoting kids to have sex. Thoughts?

EuroChick · December 2009

Honestly I think it is a great. I have never seen an unbiased study which showed that making condoms readily available to teenagers increased sexual activity. However I have seen many studies which show it does decrease STDS and increase dialogue. Teach abstinence as the best solution but give teenagers the tools and education to protect themselves is my motto.

*NNO* · December 2009

I think it's a fantastic idea, and smart thinking. To me-- it gives the students an opportunity to have access to condoms (without having to go to the store and buy them and feel embarrassed), which lessens the chances of pregnancy and STDs.?

Better to use condoms than nothing at all!

LaLaSweets · December 2009

My dh teaches high school health. They teach about comdoms and abstinence as well. But in the nurse's office there is a draw filled with condoms and kids can come in whenever and get as many as they want. It's great because there is so much teen pg these days. They even have places here throughout the city where you can go and get free condoms

Sept.07Bride · December 2009

im all for reducing stds, definatley. i guess i think 14 is a little young to be able to have easy access to condoms.

Mrs.tlcS · December 2009

Sept.07Bride:
im all for reducing stds, definatley. i guess i think 14 is a little young to be able to have easy access to condoms.

I think it's great. They have easy access to time alone together to have sex.... I hear an awful lot of stories about kids getting caught having sex, or ending up pg... I'm glad they have access to protection.

carolinaem · December 2009

If they are having sex at 14 then easy access to condoms is necessary. Teenagers have sex, giving them condoms just makes it safer. Not having access to condoms does not prevent them from having sex, and having condoms available doesn't put the idea in their minds.

ncbelle · December 2009

I think it is great. Kids are going to have sex regardless. If condoms are available, hopefully there will be fewer teen pregnancies and STDs.

I taught HS for 5 years and had WAY too many kids have babies or get pregnant.

Wassygirl · December 2009

carolinaem:
If they are having sex at 14 then easy access to condoms is necessary. Teenagers have sex, giving them condoms just makes it safer. Not having access to condoms does not prevent them from having sex, and having condoms available doesn't put the idea in their minds.

i totally agree with this. to me, the younger you are, the more embarrassed you are to go into a store and buy condoms (let alone have the money to buy them).

sorry, op- i think your line of thinking is antiquated.

ncbelle · December 2009

Sept.07Bride:
im all for reducing stds, definatley. i guess i think 14 is a little young to be able to have easy access to condoms.

Wouldn't you rather that 14 year old have a condom than have unprotected sex? Because 14 year olds are definitely having sex - heck middle schoolers get pregnant :-(

annamie · December 2009

I am with OP in my thinking. However, seeing as I graduated with 10% of my class as parents, I think it is good to be an option. I do feel, though, that it shouldn't be a come and take as you wish thing. In college, you had to take a special course to be part of the "Condom Club" and then you got like 10 for a dollar or something like that. I do think they should do something like this so they are learning something other than, have sex, enjoy, here are condoms to do so!

phishphood · December 2009

ncbelle:
I think it is great. Kids are going to have sex regardless. If condoms are available, hopefully there will be fewer teen pregnancies and STDs.

Yes

lvisser · December 2009

I am so over being upset about stuff like that. I mean, if my kids are going to rely on the school to get condoms, than maybe I am not teaching them the right things about sex... or maybe I have gone wrong somewhere to make them think that they cannot talk to ME about it. I hope to have a open relationship with my kids about sex. Encourage them to wait, but know full well that they might not - and help them, in that case, get the protection they need.

Sept.07Bride · December 2009

annamie:
I am with OP in my thinking. However, seeing as I graduated with 10% of my class as parents, I think it is good to be an option. I do feel, though, that it shouldn't be a come and take as you wish thing. In college, you had to take a special course to be part of the "Condom Club" and then you got like 10 for a dollar or something like that. I do think they should do something like this so they are learning something other than, have sex, enjoy, here are condoms to do so!

this was pretty much my thoughts exactly.

KGsky · December 2009

Sept.07Bride:
im all for reducing stds, definatley. i guess i think 14 is a little young to be able to have easy access to condoms.

When we were 13 the guys used to buy them at the drugstore (or steal them), take them out of the packages and throw them at people on the bus. I'd much rather know kids are getting them along with a pamphlet on what they're actually for, how to use them, and are obtaining them legally. The "family planning" section of the drugstore is not that secure of a location. Stick out tongue

murphyec · December 2009

I am torn on this. If my son is having sex without my knowledge, I surely want him to be using protection. However, in a perfect world I would like it if my son would wait until he was out of high school and a bit more mature to have sex.

Edit: The sentiment that kids are having sex anyway, so why not make sure it is safe pisses me off to no end. It is NOT inevitable that kids are going to have sex and I think that parents and teachers who give in to that line of thought lost the battle before it even began. You can teach your child to wait. Just cause SOME kids will always be having sex in high school doesn't mean that all are, yet telling them it is ok cause it is inevitable is promoting it. Like I said, I am torn on teh issue.

Wassygirl · December 2009

annamie:
I am with OP in my thinking. However, seeing as I graduated with 10% of my class as parents, I think it is good to be an option. I do feel, though, that it shouldn't be a come and take as you wish thing. In college, you had to take a special course to be part of the "Condom Club" and then you got like 10 for a dollar or something like that. I do think they should do something like this so they are learning something other than, have sex, enjoy, here are condoms to do so!

seriously? why make it harder to get them?

annamie · December 2009

Wassygirl:
annamie:
I am with OP in my thinking. However, seeing as I graduated with 10% of my class as parents, I think it is good to be an option. I do feel, though, that it shouldn't be a come and take as you wish thing. In college, you had to take a special course to be part of the "Condom Club" and then you got like 10 for a dollar or something like that. I do think they should do something like this so they are learning something other than, have sex, enjoy, here are condoms to do so!

seriously? why make it harder to get them?

Because - condoms aren't the answer to everything. STDs (especially HPV - the highest contracted STD out there right now) aren't always prevented by condoms! Also, people do need to be told that Condoms aren't 100% effective - especially since they won't even be getting the box for the condoms, but rather just the condoms themselves.

Sex is a choice. As much information should be provided though before making that choice so young. IMO, if you aren't mature enough to talk about it, you shouldn't really be doing it. I know it happens, but that MO.

inbetweendreams · December 2009

I don't think there's anything wrong with it at all. Making condoms available in school is not promoting sex. It's making a safe option available to those kids that choose to have sex. Kids make choices. Having condoms available makes those choices safer. If a kid doesn't feel comfortable buying condoms at the drug store, I think it's better that he/she pick one up at school than have unprotected sex.

ETA: I also want to add that having conversations with my kids at home about sex would make what the school does or doesn't do a non-issue for me personally. I can only hope that our talks would play a more important role in his decisions than whatever the school is/is not doing.

Mikeysbride2b · December 2009

Why is it wrong??? I hate that mentality... kids are having sex very young regardless and this makes it easier for them to protect themselves without spending money they don't have and without asking someone to get them instead. I think it is a good idea!!!

Bride2bMO · December 2009

I think it's heartbreaking that it's necessary for some 14 year olds, but it is. I think that if you feel strongly about it as the parent, you just need to be the loudest voice in your child's ear. Take the policy as an opportunity to talk about it. "I know they are handing out condoms at school. Here's what I think about that and here's what you need to know..."

Wassygirl · December 2009

annamie:
Wassygirl:

annamie:
I am with OP in my thinking. However, seeing as I graduated with 10% of my class as parents, I think it is good to be an option. I do feel, though, that it shouldn't be a come and take as you wish thing. In college, you had to take a special course to be part of the "Condom Club" and then you got like 10 for a dollar or something like that. I do think they should do something like this so they are learning something other than, have sex, enjoy, here are condoms to do so!

seriously? why make it harder to get them?

Because - condoms aren't the answer to everything. STDs (especially HPV - the highest contracted STD out there right now) aren't always prevented by condoms! Also, people do need to be told that Condoms aren't 100% effective - especially since they won't even be getting the box for the condoms, but rather just the condoms themselves.

Sex is a choice. As much information should be provided though before making that choice so young. IMO, if you aren't mature enough to talk about it, you shouldn't really be doing it. I know it happens, but that MO.

of course they aren't 100% effective or the answer to everything. but, to put road blocks up to being able to get them kind of defeats the purpose of making them available, kwim?

i agree that information is power. i think the info should be provided, but not through a mandatory class.

Judah'sMommy · December 2009

murphyec:
Edit: The sentiment that kids are having sex anyway, so why not make sure it is safe pisses me off to no end. It is NOT inevitable that kids are going to have sex and I think that parents and teachers who give in to that line of thought lost the battle before it even began. You can teach your child to wait. Just cause SOME kids will always be having sex in high school doesn't mean that all are, yet telling them it is ok cause it is inevitable is promoting it. Like I said, I am torn on teh issue.

It isn't assuming that all the kids are going to have sex anyway, and it doesn't diminish the job of parents and teachers to promote abstinence. It makes sure that if a child *does* decide to have sex that they are doing it safely.

I find it foolish to do anything else, really. Abstinence-only education is proven not to work, and condoms are proven to help prevent STDs and teenage pregnancies. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

lanie30 · December 2009

lvisser:
I am so over being upset about stuff like that. I mean, if my kids are going to rely on the school to get condoms, than maybe I am not teaching them the right things about sex... or maybe I have gone wrong somewhere to make them think that they cannot talk to ME about it. I hope to have a open relationship with my kids about sex. Encourage them to wait, but know full well that they might not - and help them, in that case, get the protection they need.

Wow. Lviss, this one is awesome. Exactly what I think. Look if your kid needs to go to the school nurse, then she does. You have nothing to worry about either way. You think because a school nurse will hand out condoms then all your life lessons are going to go flying out the door?

Buckets of Moonbeams · December 2009

I think it's great. Good for the school for being proactive.

lanie30 · December 2009

annamie:
Wassygirl:

annamie:
I am with OP in my thinking. However, seeing as I graduated with 10% of my class as parents, I think it is good to be an option. I do feel, though, that it shouldn't be a come and take as you wish thing. In college, you had to take a special course to be part of the "Condom Club" and then you got like 10 for a dollar or something like that. I do think they should do something like this so they are learning something other than, have sex, enjoy, here are condoms to do so!

seriously? why make it harder to get them?

Because - condoms aren't the answer to everything. STDs (especially HPV - the highest contracted STD out there right now) aren't always prevented by condoms! Also, people do need to be told that Condoms aren't 100% effective - especially since they won't even be getting the box for the condoms, but rather just the condoms themselves.

Sex is a choice. As much information should be provided though before making that choice so young. IMO, if you aren't mature enough to talk about it, you shouldn't really be doing it. I know it happens, but that MO.

Well with abstinence only education as the only publically funded one, how are they going to get that information?

I'm all for condoms in schools. I don't see how people believe that their children will, upon knowing that a school nurse has condoms, will line up en mass to grab hundreds and go bang in the library. Its absurd.

Kids ARE getting pregnant because parents are putting up barriers. Either emotional ones, or physical access to protection. Kids have sex regardless of whether condoms are available.

lanie30 · December 2009

I don't get the "the school is then giving them permission" crowd. I don't see that at all. I think the school is filling in where the parents are not.

I fully intend on doing every thing in my power to keep my kid safe and get her through her teenaged years without a pregnancy or STI. I'm going to push waiting. And we're going to talk about all the ways she can protect herself. I want her to come to me for help. But if, somehow, I fail to make my message clear and she feels uncomfortable with me. I want her to be able to get them somewhere else.

Monkeybuttwhat · December 2009

They are not promoting the kids having sex. They are promoting the kids to be safe when they have the sex they would have anyways. You can't stop what is going to happen. Making condoms available is not going to make the kids have sex.The kids are going to have sex anyways.

My Aunt lived in this world. I tried to tell her over and over to get on board, condoms, sex talk, birth control. She kept telling me I should mind my own business. Well I couldn't come out and tell her hey your kid keeps calling me at work asking me where to get the morning after pill. I tried to go the route of hey open your eyes, understand times have changed.

Well you know what she choose to live in the omg if I give her birth control I am promoting sex.

Guess who is going to be a 42 year old Grandma next week? You got it.

BetchySprout · December 2009

Sept.07Bride:
im all for reducing stds, definatley. i guess i think 14 is a little young to be able to have easy access to condoms.

I wish my 15 year old cousin had it when she was 14...she got pregnant right before she turned 15.

I think it is a great idea, and I wish they would do it at my school.

My mom was an l&d nurse. She had children as young as 10 there giving birth. She was under no illusion, she put us all on the pill at 15. I had sex before that, but I was safe.

Monkeybuttwhat · December 2009

annamie:
I am with OP in my thinking. However, seeing as I graduated with 10% of my class as parents, I think it is good to be an option. I do feel, though, that it shouldn't be a come and take as you wish thing. In college, you had to take a special course to be part of the "Condom Club" and then you got like 10 for a dollar or something like that. I do think they should do something like this so they are learning something other than, have sex, enjoy, here are condoms to do so!

In HS? No way. The kids would never take it. Then any girl who signed up for this class would be labeled a slut. College is totally different. I think that is cool, but in HS you know how kids that age are.

Monkeybuttwhat · December 2009

murphyec:
I am torn on this. If my son is having sex without my knowledge, I surely want him to be using protection. However, in a perfect world I would like it if my son would wait until he was out of high school and a bit more mature to have sex.
Edit: The sentiment that kids are having sex anyway, so why not make sure it is safe pisses me off to no end. It is NOT inevitable that kids are going to have sex and I think that parents and teachers who give in to that line of thought lost the battle before it even began. You can teach your child to wait. Just cause SOME kids will always be having sex in high school doesn't mean that all are, yet telling them it is ok cause it is inevitable is promoting it. Like I said, I am torn on teh issue.

Look I get this. I understand. But I am telling you my Aunt went that route. She banged it into my cousins head from the time she was born basically. Don't have sex, Don't have sex, Don't have sex, Don't have sex, Don't have sex, but you know what. My cousin was having sex. Her mother being like this made it so she could never be open with her mom about it and she would turn to other people. She is pregnant now at 18 and living at her parents.

There are more factors then just talking to your kid. If the girl is really attractive and has low self esteem it is a recipe for young sexual activity. There are sooooooooo many things that factor into it psychologically. You have to understand that a kid having early sex might have nothing to do with how you parented them. It might have to do with the way they look, the friends they have, the boy they met, their personality, etc. There is so much more to it.

Monkeybuttwhat · December 2009

annamie:
Wassygirl:
annamie:
I am with OP in my thinking. However, seeing as I graduated with 10% of my class as parents, I think it is good to be an option. I do feel, though, that it shouldn't be a come and take as you wish thing. In college, you had to take a special course to be part of the "Condom Club" and then you got like 10 for a dollar or something like that. I do think they should do something like this so they are learning something other than, have sex, enjoy, here are condoms to do so!

seriously? why make it harder to get them?
Because - condoms aren't the answer to everything. STDs (especially HPV - the highest contracted STD out there right now) aren't always prevented by condoms! Also, people do need to be told that Condoms aren't 100% effective - especially since they won't even be getting the box for the condoms, but rather just the condoms themselves.
Sex is a choice. As much information should be provided though before making that choice so young. IMO, if you aren't mature enough to talk about it, you shouldn't really be doing it. I know it happens, but that MO.

I am pretty sure they teach all of that in 9th grade health class. But times have changed and I think it needs to be taught earlier. Or parents need to teach it earlier. I won't rely on the schools. When DD is in 6th grade she will be getting a talk from me and every 6 months there after as a reminder. You can't stop what they are going to do, but you can educate them and reinforce it.

lanie30 · December 2009

I'm cracking up at the college "condom club" Good GOD.

That's hilarious and so bizarre. I was an RA. And we were required to keep at least 100 per floor on hand at all times. I put mine in candy jars, with candy. So you know, if you needed a "mint" they were right outside my door.

I can't even imagine any of my residents going to a condom club.

Judah'sMommy · December 2009

lanie30:
I'm cracking up at the college "condom club" Good GOD.

That's hilarious and so bizarre. I was an RA. And we were required to keep at least 100 per floor on hand at all times. I put mine in candy jars, with candy. So you know, if you needed a "mint" they were right outside my door.

I can't even imagine any of my residents going to a condom club.

I agree Lanie. Condoms were readily available pretty much everywhere, although they were the worst, suckiest Durex condoms ever. We could take a one-hour class at the Student Health Center in order to get BCP though, which I think is perfectly fine considering that is something that you are actually putting into your body. But a condom club? Yeah right.

preg_amy · December 2009

Sept.07Bride:
im all for reducing stds, definatley. i guess i think 14 is a little young to be able to have easy access to condoms.

As someone who lost my virginity at 14 and did not use a condom.... I think it's great for kids to have access. Obviously I was stupid for even doing it (or just young and naive), and my 16 year old boyfriend was too embarrassed to buy condoms.

Luckily, after I turned 15, I went and got on birth control (without my mother's blessing) and got free condoms every time I went in for more pills. Without this... there would have been a good possibility I could have wound up pregnant.

The point of the story/confession is that teenagers are stupid. If they are going to be stupid, they need to make sure they can do it safely.

14 year olds have access to sex, they should have access to condoms.

Want a personalized experience?

Local high school to pass out condoms....

Re: Local high school to pass out condoms....

Choose Another Board

Search Boards