Liberal school board will have to change condom policy

Score a point for a media firestorm and a phone call from the Mass. Governor. First-graders can get condoms, don't notify parents, parents can't stop the distribution? This time the left has gone too far, in my opinion.

Provincetown, MA:

School Supt. Beth Singer says she will recommend a clarification in the wording of the school committee's new condom availability policy following a conversation with Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday.

Patrick called Singer before noon at her office in Provincetown as regional and national news media and conservative Internet sites reported that the condom policy meant a first-grader could get a condom upon request.

The school committee adopted the condom policy June 8, based on the recommendation of Singer and the school district's health advisory committee. The policy is set to go into effect in September and must be incorporated into the student handbook, Singer said.

Patrick, a Democrat seeking re-election in the fall against a field including two conservative opponents, told The Associated Press yesterday he objected not only to the age of the students covered by the policy, but also to a provision prohibiting parents from being told about any requests for prophylactics and barring parents from overruling condom distribution.

Link (Editor won't accept it).

Score a point for a media firestorm and a phone call from the Mass. Governor. First-graders can get condoms, don't notify parents, parents can't stop the distribution? This time the left has gone too far, in my opinion.

Provincetown, MA:

School Supt. Beth Singer says she will recommend a clarification in the wording of the school committee's new condom availability policy following a conversation with Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday.

Patrick called Singer before noon at her office in Provincetown as regional and national news media and conservative Internet sites reported that the condom policy meant a first-grader could get a condom upon request.

The school committee adopted the condom policy June 8, based on the recommendation of Singer and the school district's health advisory committee. The policy is set to go into effect in September and must be incorporated into the student handbook, Singer said.

Patrick, a Democrat seeking re-election in the fall against a field including two conservative opponents, told The Associated Press yesterday he objected not only to the age of the students covered by the policy, but also to a provision prohibiting parents from being told about any requests for prophylactics and barring parents from overruling condom distribution.

Link (Editor won't accept it). http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100625/NEWS/6250328

Well, I highly doubt a 1st grader will actually ask for a condom...

What's the big deal Condoms should be readily available. They were at my high school and at every high school in Vancouver. I just go and ask the nurse, presto, Condoms. Reliable and safe and most importantly, discrete

Come now.

The notion that children aren't sexual beings is as false as it is quaint.

I think it's laudable that people like Beth Singer are prepared to cater for children's fundamental needs.

First graders aren't going to ask for condoms anyway.

It's probably blown out of proportion, as these stories often are.

linked

Seems they weren't gonna give them to the first graders, anyway, if you read the lower part of the article.smc91352

Plus, if a first grader got a condom (somehow), what's he going to do? Start instinctually having sex on the playground?

First graders aren't going to ask for condoms anyway.

It's probably blown out of proportion, as these stories often are.

SgtKevali

I for one, am appaled. I'm surprised that you guys feel this situation is commendable!!

I mean, come on. No lube? Why isn't the school offering lube?

*disgusted - walks away*

reread the entire article tc. a 6th grader wont be able to get a condom

[QUOTE="SgtKevali"]

First graders aren't going to ask for condoms anyway.

It's probably blown out of proportion, as these stories often are.

tofu-lion91

Patrick, a Democrat seeking re-election in the fall against a field including two conservative opponents, told The Associated Press yesterday he objected not only to the age of the students covered by the policy, but also to a provision prohibiting parents from being told about any requests for prophylactics and barring parents from overruling condom distribution.

Patrick, a Democrat seeking re-election in the fall against a field including two conservative opponents, told The Associated Press yesterday he objected not only to the age of the students covered by the policy, but also to a provision prohibiting parents from being told about any requests for prophylactics and barring parents from overruling condom distributiontopsemag55

WTF I KNOW! I did read your post! What I'm saying is if parents are notified, teens won't want to get them and will end up having unprotected sex so the program would be pointless. I don't see why the age of the kids has anything to do with my point.

[QUOTE="tofu-lion91"][QUOTE="SgtKevali"]

First graders aren't going to ask for condoms anyway.

It's probably blown out of proportion, as these stories often are.

topsemag55

Patrick, a Democrat seeking re-election in the fall against a field including two conservative opponents, told The Associated Press yesterday he objected not only to the age of the students covered by the policy, but also to a provision prohibiting parents from being told about any requests for prophylactics and barring parents from overruling condom distribution.

[QUOTE="tofu-lion91"][QUOTE="SgtKevali"]

First graders aren't going to ask for condoms anyway.

It's probably blown out of proportion, as these stories often are.

topsemag55

Patrick, a Democrat seeking re-election in the fall against a field including two conservative opponents, told The Associated Press yesterday he objected not only to the age of the students covered by the policy, but also to a provision prohibiting parents from being told about any requests for prophylactics and barring parents from overruling condom distribution.

Not giving a kid a condom has far worse consequences for parents and kids

[QUOTE="SgtKevali"]

First graders aren't going to ask for condoms anyway.

It's probably blown out of proportion, as these stories often are.

tofu-lion91

Also if a first-grader does have sex I would rather they had a condom to be honest

Ugh, I totally agree. That's fricken disgusting and unnecessary.

1st grader : Can I haz a condom? I want to make balloons. Fuhgeddabouditt

That's fun and all but I prefer filling them up with water. A sight to behold.

How many of you got an erection before you were 12? Kids do not need condoms at 6-11 years old. What are they gonna do, make extra small condoms? I don't think so. Still, it is imperative that parents teach their kids about sex and start at an early enough age that they understand the consequences once they do start having sex. Sadly, parents will not do this.

The media is again making a mountain out of a molehill.

How many of you got an erection before you were 12?

WhiteKnight77

I found about masturbation much earlier by accident. I tried to prevent myself from peeing my pants and then suddenly...

wow, are you kidding me...first graders...? That's ****ing ridiculous..kids that age shouldn't even know about sex much less be engaging in the act..they are far too emotionally immature and irresponsible...what the hell..

wow, are you kidding me...first graders...? That's ****ing ridiculous..kids that age shouldn't even know about sex much less be engaging in the act..they are far too emotionally immature and irresponsible...what the hell..

Xx_Hopeless_xX

The article agrees with you.

"Would a 6-year-old be able to get a condom if he or she asked for it? "Of course not," Singer said."

There's been a whole lot of spin put on this topic.

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

wow, are you kidding me...first graders...? That's ****ing ridiculous..kids that age shouldn't even know about sex much less be engaging in the act..they are far too emotionally immature and irresponsible...what the hell..

JML897

The article agrees with you.

"Would a 6-year-old be able to get a condom if he or she asked for it? "Of course not," Singer said."

There's been a whole lot of spin put on this topic.

[QUOTE="JML897"]

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

wow, are you kidding me...first graders...? That's ****ing ridiculous..kids that age shouldn't even know about sex much less be engaging in the act..they are far too emotionally immature and irresponsible...what the hell..

Xx_Hopeless_xX

The article agrees with you.

"Would a 6-year-old be able to get a condom if he or she asked for it? "Of course not," Singer said."

There's been a whole lot of spin put on this topic.

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"][QUOTE="JML897"]

The article agrees with you.

"Would a 6-year-old be able to get a condom if he or she asked for it? "Of course not," Singer said."

There's been a whole lot of spin put on this topic.

Danm_999

[QUOTE="Danm_999"][QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"] Ok..regardless of that..schools should not be doing things like this without the parents knowledge and approval..Xx_Hopeless_xX

But they can't choose. Teenagers choose what they're exposed to.

Perhaps there's a good argument in that parents should be given the knowledge that their children have requested the condoms. I think that's not a terrible idea.

But approval being a prerequisite? The whole point of giving teenagers condoms is to prevent STIs and teenage pregnancy. If the parent's approval has to be factored in, it's basically a moot point. Obviously these teenagers would have asked their parents for access to condoms if they felt they could approach them about it, so making the school require the parents permission is just going to enforce the practice of having unprotected sex.

Students ask the schools because they know they can do it without their parents knowledge.

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

[QUOTE="Danm_999"] Unless parents can stop the unprotected sex, isn't that a bit futile?Danm_999

But they can't choose. Teenagers choose what they're exposed to.

Perhaps there's a good argument in that parents should be given the knowledge that their children have requested the condoms. I think that's not a terrible idea.

But approval being a prerequisite? The whole point of giving teenagers condoms is to prevent STIs and teenage pregnancy. If the parent's approval has to be factored in, it's basically a moot point. Obviously these teenagers would have asked their parents for access to condoms if they felt they could approach them about it, so making the school require the parents permission is just going to enforce the practice of having unprotected sex.

Students ask the schools because they know they can do it without their parents knowledge.

OR how about they actually teach their children to be more responsible, less short sighted, less promiscuous and to have more common sense..i believe a prerequisite is perfectly reasonable...teenagers aren't smart enough to run their own lives..as is proven time and time again..Xx_Hopeless_xX

But stopping teens from having sex isn't exactly something you can combat from having a strong educational stance. They're realists who know that as much as we'd like it not to be so, teens are going to have sex regardless of what their parents and schools say. Teens may not be smart enough to run their lives, but they're going to, despite what we'd all like.

And isn't it then better they have access to contraception which prevents pregnancy and STI's?

It's not the parents business...

Toriko42

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]
OR how about they actually teach their children to be more responsible, less short sighted, less promiscuous and to have more common sense..i believe a prerequisite is perfectly reasonable...teenagers aren't smart enough to run their own lives..as is proven time and time again..Danm_999

But stopping teens from having sex isn't exactly something you can combat from having a strong educational stance. They're realists who know that as much as we'd like it not to be so, teens are going to have sex regardless of what their parents and schools say. Teens may not be smart enough to run their lives, but they're going to, despite what we'd all like.

And isn't it then better they have access to contraception which prevents pregnancy and STI's?

[QUOTE="Danm_999"]

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]
OR how about they actually teach their children to be more responsible, less short sighted, less promiscuous and to have more common sense..i believe a prerequisite is perfectly reasonable...teenagers aren't smart enough to run their own lives..as is proven time and time again..Xx_Hopeless_xX

But stopping teens from having sex isn't exactly something you can combat from having a strong educational stance. They're realists who know that as much as we'd like it not to be so, teens are going to have sex regardless of what their parents and schools say. Teens may not be smart enough to run their lives, but they're going to, despite what we'd all like.

And isn't it then better they have access to contraception which prevents pregnancy and STI's?

And yeah, condoms aren't foolproof (even if used correctly), but they're a hell of a lot safer than having unprotected sex.

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

[QUOTE="Danm_999"]

That's exactly what they do though. If you had read the original article, you would have noticed the policy:

"The Provincetown Public Schools is concerned about student well-being. We believe abstinence is the only sure way to safeguard against sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. Therefore, we do not approve of sexual activity by students.

If students engage in sexual activity against our better judgment, we urge them to use a condom to protect themselves and their partner."

But stopping teens from having sex isn't exactly something you can combat from having a strong educational stance. They're realists who know that as much as we'd like it not to be so, teens are going to have sex regardless of what their parents and schools say. Teens may not be smart enough to run their lives, but they're going to, despite what we'd all like.

And isn't it then better they have access to contraception which prevents pregnancy and STI's?

Danm_999

And yeah, condoms aren't foolproof (even if used correctly), but they're a hell of a lot safer than having unprotected sex.

The parents still have the right to know..

Xx_Hopeless_xX

But making the parent's approval a condition to issuance of those condoms? Illogical.

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"] The parents still have the right to know..

Danm_999

But making the parent's approval a condition to issuance of those condoms? Illogical.

[QUOTE="Danm_999"]

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"] The parents still have the right to know..

Xx_Hopeless_xX

But making the parent's approval a condition to issuance of those condoms? Illogical.

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

[QUOTE="Danm_999"] As I have already stated, I think there is a fair argument in letting the parents know their children have been requesting condoms.

But making the parent's approval a condition to issuance of those condoms? Illogical.

Danm_999

[QUOTE="Danm_999"][QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"] I can see how it would be viewed as such...

Xx_Hopeless_xX

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

[QUOTE="Danm_999"] To be honest I think it's preferable that schools be facilitating protected sex than parents and schools being oblivious of unprotected sex. There are some things no amount of government, state, local or school policy just aren't going to change, and teenager libidos are one of those things.LJS9502_basic

They would need them? :lol: Don't think they'd actually ask, and I see nothing wrong with this. :)smc91352

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

[QUOTE="Danm_999"] To be honest I think it's preferable that schools be facilitating protected sex than parents and schools being oblivious of unprotected sex. There are some things no amount of government, state, local or school policy just aren't going to change, and teenager libidos are one of those things.LJS9502_basic

Society changes we traded one set of problems for another set of problems. I would be the first to say I would never want to go back to the 1950's era where such a thing wasn't neccesarly a problem..