Middle School to dispense BIRTH CONTROL! - Page 3

Actually, yes, there may be a difference. That's the point I was trying to make. Do I think it's right that many times "inner city" children are left alone without adult supervision for extended periods of time? No. Do I think it's right that many of these children come from broken homes? No. Do I think it's right that many of these children don't have good role models? No. But, if these children are ending up pregnant, on the streets and/or welfare, or perhaps doing illegal things to support their child, then it makes sense to stand back and take a look at what needs to be done. Is everyone complaining that *they're* tax dollars are going to support these teenage parents and their children?

As I stated before, I don't have enough information to make an informed decision. I don't want it in our schools. I don't think ti should be dispense in *any* schools. But what prompted this one school district to do so in this one middle school? THAT is the million dollar question.

The article wasn't very informative with background info, but from what I did read very few parents cared enough to show up to protest!

If kids want BC they are going to find it and if they can't they WILL have sex anyway. Since we are talking middle school...it isn't only 11 year olds....it's 12 and 13 year olds and depending on the failure rate in that area maybe even older teens. As long as it's medically monitored and counseled (including STD counseling)and given by a medical doctor, it is no different then going to PP or another health clinic, only more accessible and more likely to be used by those that wouldn't have bothered to track down a clinic elsewhere.
It sucks as a parent that we have no say, but if we are doing our jobs as parents more than likely it won't be OUR children utilizing this service, if we have done our job then the child will either communicate with us or we will be so far up there butt they won't have the time or opportunity to have sex. However, if I am not doing my job, or my child is determined to take this path and sneak and lie to do it, then I will be glad they can get help somewhere. I would hope they are handing out condoms with those pills and that the child would use them, because having my child contract AIDS or herpes,etc.... would be horrible for them. But it would be worse to have a child that got the diseases and was pregnant to boot!

We can't wrap our kids in bubble wrap and protect them from the world, as much as we would like too. And it is unfortunate that in the state of this world that an 11 (or 12, 13, 14, etc....)year old may be having sex. BUT some are having sex, and it is sad that there are parents who couldn't care less....and we need to, as a society, find ways to protect what we can and let God handle what we can't.

FYI, the school is made up of 20% minorities, which is the highest in "lily white" Maine. Don't know how much of a difference it makes, but I looked it up on a school info website.

The fact that someone is a minority has zero to do with the issue. I will concede that socio economic conditions may contribute (from the stress it causes on homelife, etc.) but minority status? Lots of times inner city problems like poverty and teen pregnancy are more facets of inner city life NOT of a person's ethnicity. However, a majority of inner city inhabitants are minorities which is why statistics about teen pregnancy lie heavily with minorities.

That said, I don't think that's here nor there in this particular school. 20%???? Uh, maybe that sounds like a skewed percentage but it's really not. I work in an inner city and our stats show us at 97% minority. We always joke and say who are those 3%...the teachers? We're essentially 100% minority (in reality the 3% is misreported due to inter-racial situations). But I'm still unclear as to what a person's ethnicity has to do with their child getting or not getting birth control as a minor.

IMO, it's either wrong for everyone (YES!) or it's not. That's the nice thing about civil rights....seperate but equal is illegal. Medicine to prevent pregnancy should not be prescribed to someone based on society's decision that they should not reproduce to lighten our tax burden. KWIM?

I am still 100% against the distribution of birth control to minors. Truth be told, my stance is purely Biblical in principle and based on a moral viewpoint. But my stance is encompassing, no medication for any minor without parental consent. What I believe is true and just for my own child I would want for any child.

I never said it should be distributed to minorities only. As a matter of fact, I said I thought it was wrong, regardless of race. I just said I *wondered*. There's nothing sinister or prejudice about *wondering* why one school has decided to distrbute birth control to pre-teens. I wondered what possessed the government to decide to try it out on this ONE middle school. What is so different/special about this school? I'm just looking for reasoning since the article didn't elaborate and it dumbfounds me.

For the record, statistics indicate that Maine has one of the lowest overall teen pregnancy rates. According to this link, they are the 5th lowest in the nation. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

Dawn, perhaps their low pregnancy is is because they are doing things like this. Who knows?

That said, I have to agree with most of you and say that I don't want anyone dispensing medication of ANY kind to my child without my knowledge AND permission. Heck, Drew's school calls me if he has a headache and then I have to drive to the school just to give him an aspirin! Is it a PITA? Yes, but better than the alternatives.

I know that in Texas, minors cannot get BC unless they are married and I believe the age of consent for marriage (with parental permission) is 14. I also know that you cannot get your child BC if you are on welfare - amend that to say that if the child is receiving Medicare, then Medicare will not pay for BC for that child. Does that make sense?

Drew tells me all the time how "stupid" his friends are about sex. We have been talking to him about it since I first got pregnant with Ally (and she is almost 7). At this point, we talk about sex, relationships, STD's, pregnancy, etc on a fairly regular basis (at least once a month if not more). 9 times out of 10, he is the one who asks about something because one of his friends makes a comment. We have always made it clear that he can talk to us about anything.

I simply cannot understand the reasoning behind this decison. But. as Dawn said, they didn't really give us enough info in the article to make an informed opinion. But my gut reaction is there is NO WAY I would allow meds to be given to my child by anyone other than their pediatrician/doctor.

As far as condoms go, we have already told Drew than when and if he starts thinking seriously about having sex, then he needs to let us know. I may not like it, but I will buy condoms if it means keeping him healthy and free to live his life until he is truly old enough to make those decisions for himself. JMHO.

Not sure how I feel about this really.. At 11 I don't think I knew much about sex. But I think at some point we have to let our kids or babies grow up. I would really like to think my daughter would talk to me at even 11. And if she didn't feel comfortable then I guess it's better that she have someone right? I think the school is trying to help the children out not teach them bad values. I'm sure every teacher there would love it the girls all waited till marriage. I bet they are looking at the bigger picture. School.... Will having a child effect their education??? I think that's all that's on their minds. As for 11 being young I agree, but heck back in the days I think 11 or 12 that's when girls were getting married. They didn't even finish school. As scary and sad as is seem I think our generations are going backwards not forwards with things.

Dawn--Sometimes all it takes in one admistrator to get "an idea" and run with it. Who knows. It could just be someone's idea and there weren't enough parents who said yes or no so it just went forward--under the radar as they say...at least until it hit the national news. BTW, I didn't mean to imply any prejudice on your (or anyone's part). Just playing devil's advocate. I suppose it's just been a bad week at work and I am touchy. I apologize.

I doubt the low teen pregnancy rate has as much to do with programs like this in Maine as it does with a low population. You'll get higher number in a more densely populated place I would think.

No harm done Abby. This is what makes a good debate. The whole thing sounds crazy to me - will be interesting to see what becomes of this program.