Question about the giving out of birth control in public schools?

Question

Me and some gals at work were just discussing and, of course, it turned into an argument, with me as the enemy. I say it's not the job of government to parent. But, they were saying that it will cut down on teen pregnancies. Their argument was that all teens are having sex, no matter what anyone tells them, so it's better to give them birth control so they don't get pregnant. My argument is, that will open the door to a free for all. Who is going to foot the bill for all of the STD's, AIDS, etc. I said if they are not listening to thier parents or teachers about sex, then they won't listen to them about having safe sex. And, birth control pills are given to us women via prescription by our dr.'s, after we have had a pelvic exam, etc. Are these girls going to get exams before they are given the precriptions? And, why does the government think that they can parent better than parents? Also, my 19 year old daughter brought up a good point....she said all kids are not

having sex and it's the media that portrays it that way on TV shows, not in real life.

Opinions please?

Answer 1

How do you educate your child, when you have no education

Underlying the problem are the twin malignancies of pollution and overpopulation. The poor planet cannot deal with exploding billions -- billions -- of occupants with an insatiable thirst for raw materials, energy, water, and, of course and ultimately, economic advantage at any cost.

And the politicos argue about such inanities/insanities as gay marriage, stem cell research and abortion rights. Gay marriage should be encouraged and rewarded, stem cell research hurts no one and benefits people with awful diseases, and the question as to abortion is not whether it should be permitted, but whether it should be required. There are already too many people; children are starving and being slaughtered and horribly treated around the world; senseless, destructive wars are being fought over control of precious resources; human rights are in the garbage can; religious nut cases are strapping explosives to themselves and killing anyone that doesn't agree with their version of divine intent; our own government is spying on us.

It was long ago demonstrated that if you put a few rats in a cage, they get along fine. If you put a lot of rats in a cage, they begin to fight and bite.

Yours truly,
Just Another Rat

Answer 2

yeah im totally for this. . . people are oyu going to get curious about sex and have it anyways, having the contraception there for the students can not just help unwanted pregnancies, but also supplying condom and proper education can help save there life. . .. As far as your idea of the BC pills not being to effective, i understand what you mean, but i think a lot of the times they offer that, because there are higher risks with the depo shot and implant, it is a higher dose of hormones and that actually has to be done in a clinic type facility, which a lot of the times, planned parenthood can do it for free. I know some people that dont want to get those done, they would rather take there pill everyday, and believe me its better than nothing! :P And what is factored in to the 5% un effectiveness is Human error, forgetting to take the pill, or you take em at different times a day. . . etc. so the pill works fairly well when taken correctly, 1 out of 4 women, thats a lot more than 5% fail rate, the last i learned it was about 1 in 20 women. . .. Anyways, I am all for the free birth control in the schools! Thanks for posting, good question .. . :)

Answer 3

The govt long ago decided it was the govt's responsibility to play parent -- and America has gone along ever since. The govt thinks it can act like a parent because we keep allowing it to -- over and over on issue after issue.

The only real disagreement is what parenting roles the govt should do -- disciplinarian, breadwinner, security provider, babysitter, teacher, whatever -- and that varies by philosophy.

Statistics over decades have shown that teaching kids about sex and making birth control available does not change the amount of sex kids have -- all it changes is the amount of safe sex kids have -- and that's just a statistical reality.

So, there are two options -- the govt makes things available and people have the choice -- or the govt doesn't make things available and people are on their own.

Answer 4

Sex and sexuality is shoved down our throats every day. It is the only subject that is dealt with on TV. If a new TV show is to be successful, the primary subject has to be sex, any plot line is just incidental. Perhaps if we cleaned up the media, and allowed children to be children, then parents would have a chance. As it is, you have to keep the kids away from other kids, and away from the media if you want to have any chance at all of allowing kids to grow up without thinking that, not only is sex and sexual activity normal for kids, it is absolutely essential to social survival.
By the way, you don't have to be educated to know right from wrong, and you don't necessarily know right from wrong just because you are educated.
Should we give out birth control in schools?
The question is getting to be more and more, should we have schools at all? I don't think that they are a safe place for children.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, a lot of parents don't parent, and the poor children of these people suffer from it. They are not "just giving out" birth control, they can only get it if
1) the parents sign a consent form
2) they have regular exams by the school doctor.

Also, you can assume that a school that gives out birth control pills also will teach about safe sex, thus, reducing the rate of STD's, which just happens to be less expensive than welfare, abortions, medicaid, foster care, adoption.......

Answer 6

If a child is irresponsible enough to be having sex at 13, why in the world does the school think that they'll be responsible enough to use birth control responsibly whether it be a condom or a pill. The child has a demonstrated pattern if irresponsibility.

Secondly, the pill is a drug. If the school gave my child drugs, any drugs, without my knowledge? I'd be supremely ticked off. That child is my dependent and my responsibility. If the school is usurping my responsibility and authority, we'll have a fight on our hands!

The problem too is that kids are given sex education in class. That's fine. I don't have a problem with that. But the problem is, they now believe that they are informed and to an extent, they are. But not enough. They're not well enough informed to deal with the result of any mistakes, any 'lapse' in their education. For example, my son was never told that a woman can become pregnant even without actual 'insertion'. Nature can be darned determined when it comes to propogating the species and heavy foreplay can have serious consequences.

But what do we do? I told my son that I do not want him having sex. We layed it out for him in no uncertain terms. But in the end, I gave him a pack of condoms. "I do not want you to use these, but better you have them and not need them than...."

Answer 7

I'm with the others on this topic. Girls ARE extensively counseled and do undergo exams before being given birth control. It's got nothing to do with the government vs. parents. It's the reality that SOME teens will have sex regardless of what their parents say. The vast majority isn't but SOME are and do. Doesn't it make sense to prevent unwanted pregnancies, rather than have to deal with the whole abortion or adoption issue?

Answer 8

Your daughter is right, not all kids are having sex; but those kids aren't forced to take birth control either, so it won't affect them. They can continue not having sex just like they have been.

Unfortunately, the approach many parents take towards sex is to not talk about it at all, rather than impress the importance of self-restraint. Without being able to discuss the issue with their parents (and therefore a doctor), the kids are learning about sex on their own.

It's bad enough these kids are making uninformed decisions about sex without the guidance of their parents, lets not make them have to make decisions about abortion as well. Birth control isn't as good as self control, but it's better than nothing.

EDIT: BTW, that's an impressive level of maturity from a 19 year old- congratulations.

Answer 9

As one of those teen parents, I totally disagree with the lady who says you always pay for our children. My husband and I are not on any assistance, and he is fighting for our country. We have been married for about a year. I don't think the schools should be giving out birth control, it is the parents responsibility. If they feel their child is having sex they need to talk to the kids. And your daughter is right not all teens are having sex... one of my good friends is a virgin and plans on it until she is married.
I get my exams before my BC every year. As should all people on BC.

Answer 10

I myself have three kids. If it means the difference between my girls ruining their life because of a lapse in judgment or them being responsible and at least protecting themselves against pregnancy. Then I have to side with them giving out birth control. Granted I wont be happy about it and the daughter in question wont see the light of day until she is 30, but thats not the point here.

Answer 11

Sorry, you are wrong.
Possible pregnancy, and abortion, instead of taking a little pill at school?
Let's be real here!

Hey That Guy
Alcohol doesn't cause pregnancy, nitwit!
And since when does the pill make you drunk?