What do you think of schools in Maine offering birth control?

Question

I'm all for anything that helps prevent more young, single mothers on welfare. Obviously parents keep failing at keeping their children from getting pregnant. Even the hardcore Christians' children do this.

Most parents tell kids it's wrong to have sex. They go out and do it anyway. It doesn't work.

Answer 1

I think the condoms are ok only if the students seek them out, but the birth control pills are serious medicine and should only be prescribed by a doctor, not a school nurse.

Answer 2

I think it's irresponsibility on behalf of the school. I'm from Maine, and for those who don't know there are other states doing the same thing. I believe neither boy's nor girl's should be experimenting with sex at this age, let alone haveing the school be the ones to make the decision when and when not to give out birth controll pills. I never met one teacher that has a doctor's license to write a script for any thing. Hell they can't even determine what head lice look's like, and they want to dole out pills. If ever there was substance abuse this qualifies in my view. I thank God my kids are grown up, but I still have grandchildren in those school's and others. I am also a Christian, what has that to do with a child getting pregnant? I have never seen it written any where where Christians don't face the same problems as everyone else. They face more problems as you can see from your own statement. Every one in America and around the world would like to see single mothers not face the hardships they face also. Does takeing a birth controll pill guarantee they will not forget to take it, or become pregnant? I think not. Yes kids will have sex, it's going to happen, but the answer isn't with the school takeing away our rights as parents. And by the way don't blame the parent for their childs up bringing. Some kids as you can see will experiment, was your parents there with you 24-7? I think not! Did you ever make a mistake? If your child made a mistake and someone with authority says they should be shot, I imagine you'd be the first to stand up and say your right , I,m tired of these kids getting away with this. Right!! I also see that you would rather have some teacher take your rights away, because you feel they can make a responsibe decision where as you can't. Sorry! You loose on this one.

Answer 3

Im very much against it, and not on moral grounds. If these kids are having sex at 11, they've got serious problems, and I'm in favor of taking steps to prevent them from becoming pregnant. I think the parents need to attend parenting classes, the kids need to see counselors, etc, but birth control medication can be dangerous.

At the age of 19, I develpoed blood clots in my lungs as a result of birth control pills, and spent 10 days in the hospital on blood thinners, and another year getting tested weekly and taking pills to disolve the clots. I take aspirin every day (now 19 years later) to prevent reoccurrences, and the episode has left me with antibodies that make pregnancy a difficult proposition for me-I will be suseptible to clots, stroke, etc...of course, my mother knew all about this, but if I were 12, and taking the pill without my parents' knowledge, I could see a kid not seeking medical treatment like I did, and then, due to HIPPAA laws, they wouldn't be able to discuss what might be the cause of the illness that could kill the child. The pill isn't necessarily a harmless little nothing--it can be quite harmful. I do not agree with dispensing prescription medication to children without their parent's consent or knowledge.

PS Abstinence education has not been shown to have ANY measurable effect on teen pregnancy rates. It simply doesn't work.

Answer 4

I disagree with it. I don't think that a minor should be offered a prescription without a parents consent. Birth control is a chemical, and teenagers are not mature enough to realize the risks of putting a chemical in their body. Also, it relinquishes the responsibility of a parent to be involved in their child's life regarding making responsible decisions concerning sex. It is not OK for a school to dispense birth control without the knowledge of the parent.

EDIT: As far as condoms, I would agree with high school kids having access, but not middle children.

Answer 5

It sounds to me like parents aren't being parents.

How are children going to remember to take them?

I am not for or against. I think it's a sad state of affairs when it seems that too many parents are not acting like parents. Don't be friends with your child. Be the parent. Friendship comes later. It's hard to be the parent. I can see that. But I know it takes a lot of work to be the parent. I'm a stepparent, part-time so I don't know what it's like but what I see is too many parents leaving too many choices up to their kids instead of being the parent and making the decision. The kids should have a say but they shouldn't be leading the way.

Answer 6

I am typically more supportive of policies that encourage personal responsibility and family values, but as a realist I realize that there are far too many people who do not act personally responsible, and far too many parents who do not instill values of any kind.

Therefore, if this method is effective at reducing the need for entitlement payments, then I would support it as a national policy.

Of course, again as a realist, I am not fooled into thinking that the government wouldn't find some other area to spend my money on.

Answer 7

I think the school's are over stepping themselves. If your child has a bad reaction to the pills who do you think is responsible for the medical bill's? Why not focus on helping to reinforce the family unit instead of taking away more and more parental rights while taking away NONE of the responsibility of the parents? Your child skips school, guess who is getting a fine? it's not the school...you guessed it, mom and dad are even if they did not know their child skipped. SO why does the school need control over the reproductive systems of OTHER peoples children anyway? At what point are they infringing on the parents rights?

Answer 8

Just another way for the liberal left to turn their back on their children and take the easy way out. A childs body isn't even developed yet and shoving hormones down their throat for the purpose of copping out on family and parental responsibilities is just another example of where this country is headed. It's another example of Britney Spears worshippers, who will grow up and neglect and pimp their kids for their cocaine boy friends.
Whatever happened to >family values< when responsible parents sat down with ther kids and >talked< with them? Shoving hormones down their throats at an early age only brings on more problems later. Birth control can only be taken for 7 yrs until the body starts rejecting it, then what? A young female at 19, who really needs contraception will not be able to take it because their parents renegged on their responsibilities. Another issue: the body needs to be cleansed of all birth control before conceiving (6 mos for every yr), otherwise birth defects become inherint in the mother and are passed onto the baby. ( per doctors info, of which my child contracted aspergers disorder, a mild form of autism, because my wifes body was not cleansed of all birth control) Are you listening Maine? Do you want to do this to your child, or grand children? Fess up and take the high road for your children and instill family values in your children instead of copping out and shoving hormones down your childrens throats.

Answer 9

I do not see any harm in schools giving out condoms. Education is the key to preventing unwanted pregnancies and STD's. Some parents just look the other way when it comes to their kids having sex and are in denial. Also, it is much easier for kids to get protection without telling their parents.

I also wanted to add that you can teach your kids about abstinence but it doesn't mean they are going to listen to you. Why not have them be safe, rather than sorry later?

Answer 10

It's disgusting. This is the job of the parents, NOT the schools. Who's raising the children in the country these days? Their parents or the schools/government?