Do you think that by offering birth control pills to 11-13 year olds is the right move or wrong move?

Question

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/10/18/middleschool.contraception.ap/index.html

I disagree because the parents should have made sure they don't have sex that young in the first place, now by offering birth control to these kids, they'll be encouraged to have more sex.

whats your take? thank you

I really think it's 100% the parent's fault.....if they are strict and make sure their kids are doing the right things this wouldn't happen

some of you mentioned the side effects of birth control...great point

Answer 1

WHOA! Birth control for a child that is 11??? Good Lord...a good majority of girls haven't even had their first period by age 11....my daughter being one of them. She is turning 11 in a couple of weeks and I would absolutely forbid the use of birth control at such a young age.

It's OUR job as parents to teach our little girls to keep their legs crossed and teach our little boys to keep their pants zipped. It's OUR job as parents to teach our little girls and boys about the pressures of the opposite sex and how to combat those pressures.

So, let me get this straight...to all of those that posted.."they are going to have sex whether you say they can or not"...does this mean that we just give up and buy condoms and shove pills down their throats? Why don't we just do that and wear a big, fat shirt green shirt that says, "Go ahead. Do what you want. You're protected!" The green is for GO.

That is dangerous thinking. For all of those parents out there that just believe kids are going to do what they want to do...you all have given up because you think you can't do anything about it. Wanna bet? YOU are the parent. YOU are the one in control. If YOU can't do it. Then don't become a parent in the first place!

Yeah. I feel very strongly about this subject. VERY.

Answer 2

As an older woman, mother and grandmother, I think that if the girls are getting pregnant then offering birth control is the logical thing to do so you don't have 14 year old mothers.
You aren't encouraging the kids to have sex, they are already doing that without the knowledge or safe trustworthy information they need to keep themselves healthy. Pregnancy is not a punishment for sex. Such young children don't realize that they can get pregnant, many of them do things based on faulty information and ignorance. Offering boys condoms and girls pills when they are already sexually active is simply sensible, condoms and pills are far too pharmaceutical to be a aphrodisiac. Parents work and leave their kids home and if they don't they know someone who does, or there is the woods or behind the bleachers, or under the bridge or a car. There is no way to keep guard over your kids 24/7. Sometimes kids who are raised 'very strictly' rebel very strenuously and its not a cure all. On the other hand even if a child is not going to use the scientific information about birth control and sexual urges, they will have accurate information when they do need it, and that's important too, at any age.

Answer 3

I think the only time it is appropriate to supply medical care of any kind to a child is with the parents permission. PERIOD
Being the mother of a 15 year old girl-
I can tell you that supervision is the key and consistent discipline.
You don't let your kids run all over you and then decide you are going to start disciplining them.
Teenage girls aren't getting pregnant with their parents around-
Parents watch your children, teach them that choices you make now can& will affect the rest of your life so:
STOP AND THINK
I think that if a parent consents to their 11 year old child receiving birth control ( those parents must have some pretty low expectations) fine
But a school nurse doesn't need to be handing out anything without knowing the medical history of the child in front of them and without consulting the parents.

Answer 4

This issue is so controversial but to each is own. I started birth control at 13 or 14 and did not have sex until I was 18 and a high school graduate. Offering birth control is SUPPOSED to be a prevention of teen pregnancy which is SUPPOSED TO prevent the number of children that end up in foster care or even neglected or abused. There are TOO many children in those situations already.!! I say if a parent makes that choice that they give more than enough information about WHY birth control is being used.

Answer 5

I read the article. This is merely a band-aid solution that does not get to the root of the problem. BC pills wont stop the spread of disease nor do anything for the emotional scars these kids are sure to suffer. Children shouldn't be having sex. Something is seriously wrong with this picture. Parents need to start parenting because the school's ineffective band-aid is the wrong treatment.

Answer 6

You will have a hard time finding role models that will teach their child abstenence. 0 until marriage should never have to worry about how they will handle raising a child, but 11 to 13 is criminal. Anyone who supplies contraceptives to girls between 0 and 21 should be guilty of a criminal offense. The ones that will promote it are the emotional so called adults that have no understanding of commen sense other than the "well they are going to do it anyway so lets make it a little more worry free". Perhaps the guilt they have because of what they did when they were young prevents them from protecting their children with a solid foundation rather than one made out of sand. Wonder if they understand how this will affect any marriage later ? The ciminals who propose this are not thinking of HIV, HPD, and other venerial diseases. Many the cannot be stopped by a condom. Obviously a pill makes it even more risky. I have no idea where these wonderful ideas come from other than too many brain cells filled with THC.

Answer 7

"Oral birth control and CONDOMS have been obtainable for years in PORTLAND'S intense faculties" if that's so, what became into the consequences of that. in the event that they have had years to learn, they could desire to have shaped some end. Does this develop interest? What does the learn say? while is training suitable? How previous are human beings meant to get in the previous they're ultimately advised the actuality?

Answer 8

Since the parents are legally responsible for their kids until the age of 18 they should be the ones purchasing birth control.

Answer 9

Whether it's wrong or not, some kids are having sex that young. Would we rather keep them in the dark and let them get pregnant or get an STD? Taking birth control pills at 12 is leaps and bounds better than being a mother at that tender age.

Answer 10

Well, most girls aren't going to have sex that young, BUT, as you know there is always the exception. Maybe 2% of girls that young WILL in fact have sex and it will more than likely be unprotected.

By all the thumbs-down's to the people who didn't agree with you, I can see how ignorant some of you are.

Just because mommy and daddy says not to, does not mean that will prevent it. It will more than likely make it even more attractive than the pills would.

This "religious" way of thinking on your guy's behalf has to stop. It never works and 13 year olds will continue getting pregnant if your dumbazz way of thinking hangs around.