Do you agree with the Middle school in Maine offering birth control pills to students?

Question

Pupils at a city middle school will be able to get birth control pills and patches at their student health center after the local school board approved the proposal Wednesday evening.

The plan, offered by city health officials, makes King Middle School the first middle school in Maine to make a full range of contraception available to students in grades 6 through 8, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Students treated at the centers must first get written parental permission, but under state law such treatment is confidential, and students decide for themselves whether to tell their parents about the services they receive.

At King Middle School, birth control prescriptions will be given after a student undergoes a physical exam by a physician or nurse practitioner, said Lisa Belanger, who oversees Portland's student health centers

A supporter, Richard Verrier, said it's not enough to depend on parents to protect their children because there m

may be students who can't discuss things with their parents.


http://www.startribune.com/484/story/1492093.html

Answer 1

I absolutely agree with this.
I am currently in middle school, and while I don't know very many kids who have sex, I do know a few. Kids are going to have sex if they want to, and there is nothing that anyone can do to stop them. The only thing they can do is to educate the kids on how to be responsible and safe.

And the school is not doing anything illegal; they are not encouraging or condoning sexual activity, they are simply providing ways of prevention, and I think that is a very responsible thing to do.

If two kids want to have sex, they are going to do it. Why not at least prevent a pregnancy?

Most girls would be too embarassed to ask their parents if they could go on the pill, and the boy may not wear a condom. At least this way, should the time ever come, the girl will know that she will not get pregnant. She will not ruin her life and the life of an innocent child.

Answer 2

I have always been against birth control being provided by the schools. This is something that should be a parents decision. Even with my personal beliefs there are other reasons that this should not be done.

The pill comes with risks. It is a medication. No 9-13 yr old has the mentality to make a careful decision about the risks associated with oral contraceptives. What if they smoke? What about medical history? My 19 year old doesn't even know his full medical history. What if the child takes other medications for other conditions and does not tell the doctor? They could forget or be afraid to mention it for fear of not getting the prescription. You also have to take the pill everyday. At that age what is the likelyhood this will happen?

Condoms are a better solution plus they prevent the spread of STDs which is extremely important. I would rather deal with an unwanted pregnancy than a disease that will kill you.

Answer 3

I do not agree with their decision. they say, "Oh, the poor kids life could be wrecked because of an early pregnancy... blahblahblah! Well you know what? Why should 11 year olds be having sex? the only reason birth control pills may..... not really but may be needed is if the kid is like 9 and was raped! other than that, it takes two to tango! THanks!
To all you dumb, uneducated people. If you agree with this ridiculous rule, then you must've had sex at 7!!! I honestly dont't understand this mentalitly of "if they're gonna do it, then they should be protected." That is such you know what. Does that mean they should hand out baby blankets too!? Just in case they have the "urge?" Come on guys! Kids need to have some responsibility and self control for their actions! Believe it or not, not all kids will or SHOULD have sex when they are in 6th grade! Our culture is going down, way down, and it is because of this and dumb stuff like the HPV virus. Kids SHOULD NOT be having sex until they're mentally, and physically ready. And I don't care what kind of so called "mature" kid it is, because that's what they are, KIDS! They are not emotionally prepared for the aftermath of sex, no matter how many condoms or pills they have.These KIDS are in middle school, they should not even be THINKING about sex until they are much older, AT LEAST in High School for crying out loud! And where are these parents whose kids are having sex in middle school?! I'm sorry, but parents need to be parents NOT friends. They need to say no once in a while, and set restrictions. This is truly and utterly ridiculous.

Answer 4

To all you dumb, uneducated people. If you agree with this ridiculous rule, then you must've had sex at 7!!! I honestly dont't understand this mentalitly of "if they're gonna do it, then they should be protected." That is such you know what. Does that mean they should hand out baby blankets too!? Just in case they have the "urge?" Come on guys! Kids need to have some responsibility and self control for their actions! Believe it or not, not all kids will or SHOULD have sex when they are in 6th grade! Our culture is going down, way down, and it is because of this and dumb stuff like the HPV virus. Kids SHOULD NOT be having sex until they're mentally, and physically ready. And I don't care what kind of so called "mature" kid it is, because that's what they are, KIDS! They are not emotionally prepared for the aftermath of sex, no matter how many condoms or pills they have.These KIDS are in middle school, they should not even be THINKING about sex until they are much older, AT LEAST in High School for crying out loud! And where are these parents whose kids are having sex in middle school?! I'm sorry, but parents need to be parents NOT friends. They need to say no once in a while, and set restrictions. This is truly and utterly ridiculous.

Answer 5

Here you have a red hot issue and you will get a lot of responses.
In my opinion,middle school children need a good understanding of what having sex means, they need to know the biology of the act and the possible consequences to the act. They do need to be thoroughly informed.
However, the student health center should not be in the business of promoting sexual activity. Middle school children are much too young for the emotional upheaval that can come from having a sexual partner. So, no the student health center should not be giving out prescriptions for the pill. The business of what goes on at the student health center being between the student and the nurse is also ridiculous. These are children in the 11 to 14 age group, not even close to being adults. Their parents must be notified for them to receive a Tylenol so the parents must be notified about any other drugs that they receive from this health center. If a child has a problem with discussing their health with their parent how do you think that parent is going to react when the child comes home with a script for the pill and needs it filled. Just who do you think is going to pay for that prescription. The child? I think Richard Verrier has a screw loose somewhere and so does your city health department and your school board is totally gone. What were they thinking?

Answer 6

If people are going to treat children as adults by allowing them free, open access to birth control, then maybe we should repeal child labor laws and put them to work. If they're old enough to make their own decisions regarding sex, then they need to be working to support their decisions.

Will the parents of these students be able to sue the school district when their daughters become pregnant, or develop blood clots that may kill them? I just can't imagine an 11 year old girl having the discipline to take a pill every day at the same time every day... Will the actual students be able to sue the school district after they've been on the pill for 20+ years and develop complications from being on the pill for such a long length of time.

I'm sick of governments deciding that parents are too 'stupid' to care for their children.

Answer 7

It' amazing to me that this school district finds it necessary to give "babies" birth control......I know that this is a different world and kids are having sex earlier, but I feel by just giving birth control pills it really doesn't address the issue. It gives these "kids" a false sense of security....... Also, what are the long term effects to the "kids" if they start taking these pills? I hate it when the Government tries to "step in" and control our rights!! What's next? If the nurse had concerns she should have just "CALLED the PARENTS".....These are "kids" and NOT ADULTS!!!!

Answer 8

Yes she likely called in the order to the pharmacy you spoke about. But be aware they can run about $20-$30 per month so if you have an insurance card you should show it when you go. Just tell the pharmacist that your Dr called in a prescription for you and you would like to get it. If they say that they don't have any call in for you tell them it must be a mistake and have them call your Dr, if she forgot then it's likely this will remind her and she will OK the prescription

http://www.rx-pharmacy-online.com

Answer 9

I do not agree with schools offering prescription medication to children without parental consent. A 6th grader could be as young as 11 years old. I was not aware there were studies proving the pill safe for pre and pubescent girls. I realize sexual health is important, but overall medical health cannot be compromised. Birth control pills are contraindicated with some medications and health conditions. It is imperative that the family physician be aware of all medications when prescribing drugs. This precludes anonymous prescribing of birth control pills.

Answer 10

Whether you partake in sexual activity or not, none of us are immune to the urges no matter how religious you are. Children are hitting puberty at such a younger age than 10-20 years ago. I think this is being responsible parents who deny their responsibility. Our society is beginning to understand that we can't rely on the competence of parents because some are not competent. It is a parents responsibility to educate their children however some do not. I consider a backup plan a great thing. It will be one less potential welfare baby. Every state should get on board.

I have seen people who grow up in the church engage in sexual activity and also get pregnant out of wedlock. Religion, nor do sex education keep kids from doing adult things. I definitely agree with the decision.