Dads: How do we feel about preteens and contraceptives

[Papai]

http://www.thenewsroom.com/details/865759/US

This is a video report about a middle school in Maine that is going to pass out condoms and birth control to its 6th-8th graders.

How do we feel about this?

Obviously, my son is still a baby, but I was absolutely floored by this. My first thought was: Do kids even have a childhood anymore?

When I was in middle school, yes, I knew what sex was. I had begun that inkling "I like you" phase with girls, but by no means was I even close to thinking about copulation. Yes, I'd caught peeks of naked women in a friend's dad's Playboy mag, and my cousins and I had sneaked and seen the naughty movies on HBO at night. But actual SEX. No way. I was too busy reading books, playing video games, and riding bikes.

If your child asked for contraceptives at this age, how would you all feel?

[Shadow Papa]

Wow.


Hmmm... my gut response is, "yet another good reason for un-schooling."

But that doesn't solve the civic aspect of the problem... does it?

Well... if there is a problem with preteen sex at that particular school then the STD prevention aspect of condom use is almost a public health issue.

But I don't think that should be general practice at all schools.

What is going on in this community that sexual activity is of concern with preteens? Root cause analysis is in order here.

[Papai]

Originally Posted by Shadow Papa

Wow.


Hmmm... my gut response is, "yet another good reason for un-schooling."

But that doesn't solve the civic aspect of the problem... does it?

Well... if there is a problem with preteen sex at that particular school then the STD prevention aspect of condom use is almost a public health issue.

But I don't think that should be general practice at all schools.

What is going on in this community that sexual activity is of concern with preteens? Root cause analysis is in order here.

I'm glad a papa finally responded!

In my opinion, I think it all starts at home. What is going on in these childrens' homes that they think sex at such a young age is a good, viable option? Are parents having frank discussions with them about sex and why they're too young for it?

[Shadow Papa]

Yeah... pretty much with you there.

... but it sounds like a WHOLE TOWN is not having this conversation... I mean, I can sit my kid down. You yours. But if the other 1500 families in the school district just say, "Go play in the barn and here's a fancy balloon" then it doesn't matter what we say...

:

That's a community of "let some one else do it" thinkers.

[SammyJr]

Originally Posted by Papai

I'm glad a papa finally responded!

In my opinion, I think it all starts at home. What is going on in these childrens' homes that they think sex at such a young age is a good, viable option? Are parents having frank discussions with them about sex and why they're too young for it?

I doubt that there is any parenting going on in the homes of these kids, hence the need for the school to take over.

[OpenAppleDad]

Oh my! Uggg. My first 'real' kiss was in 6th grade, and I was early in my peer group. I would guess our average age for sex was around 18 (and I was late in my peer group).

6th-8th grade is 11-14 years. E-lev-en! That's...

Yes, I'll be homeschooling. We need to figure out how to keep these other kids safe too.

[Greg B]

I can not evaluate this situation with the information provided. Context is everything. I am a strong believer in educating kids about sex, contraceptives, the consequences of pregnancy and STDs. So if these are being distributed as a part of an overall strategy to provide kids with resources and education to make informed decisions, then it sounds OK to me.

If it is simply distributing safer sex supplies, then that doesn't sound like a well thought out strategy to me.

Disclaimer, I did not watch the news video. I am simply responding to the thread question about how I would feel.

Regards

[prothyraia]

Not a dad, so I'll duck the actual question, but-

Birth control pills and patches? Drugs? Hormones to prepubscent girls? For real? :

[MeepyCat]

Saying that the report is about a middle school in Maine that is going to pass out condoms and birth control pills to 6th to 8th graders is a tad misleading, IMO.

The school itself is not distributing contraceptives. There is an independently operated health center on school grounds, which already provides health services to those students whose parents give permission for them to be treated there. The health center is expanding the range of services it offers to include birth control. If parents give consent for their children to be treated by the health center, the center may offer the children contraceptives. The health center will not treat any student without parental consent.

The population served by the middle school and the health center ranges in age from 11 to 15.

[MamaVolpe]

Originally Posted by Papai

This is a video report about a middle school in Maine that is going to pass out condoms and birth control to its 6th-8th graders.

What : Birth control contains hormones! That can't be a good idea for still developing girls. No to mention it should be Dr prescribed as the kid may have medical conditions that may be complicated if they are just taking free samples.

Sorry not a dad but wanted to add my 2 cents.

[MeepyCat]

Originally Posted by MamaVolpe

What : Birth control contains hormones! That can't be a good idea for still developing girls. No to mention it should be Dr prescribed as the kid may have medical conditions that may be complicated if they are just taking free samples.

Sorry not a dad but wanted to add my 2 cents.

Mam Volpe, your reaction is precisely what makes my head explode about this article.

The video (and most of the news coverage of the situation) makes it sound as though the school is just handing birth control patches to eleven year-olds. And if that were the case, your reaction would be totally justified: there's hormones in that stuff! It needs to be prescribed by a doctor!

In fact, birth control *would* be prescribed by a doctor if it were given to a student. Only the health center (which is staffed by medical professionals) can give birth control to students.

[JustJack]

Whew...context

Originally Posted by MeepyCat

Saying that the report is about a middle school in Maine that is going to pass out condoms and birth control pills to 6th to 8th graders is a tad misleading, IMO.

The school itself is not distributing contraceptives. There is an independently operated health center on school grounds, which already provides health services to those students whose parents give permission for them to be treated there. The health center is expanding the range of services it offers to include birth control. If parents give consent for their children to be treated by the health center, the center may offer the children contraceptives. The health center will not treat any student without parental consent.

The population served by the middle school and the health center ranges in age from 11 to 15.

In light of that info, not a big deal to me. Americans are historically catastrophic when it comes to fear of virtually everything, especially, re: kids and sex. We all need a hell of a lot less fear.

If the question/topic of the thread is more general: my answer is, I have no feelings about preteens and contraceptives. If they need them, then they'd better use them. I prefer kids be safe and smart.

[lovingmykids]

Originally Posted by JustJack

I prefer kids be safe and smart.

:

[everettdaddy]

I personally if you are willing to institutionalize your children in a public or private school system. Then you have pretty much given up your rights to choose what is taught to your children and what isn't.

I don't believe in "Abstinence" is the answer. I believe that if we are to be awesome parents, and not raise sheeple then we need to attack the "tough".. Dare I say.. "Controversial" issues even if they may make "US" uncomfortable.

However on this particular issue, I feel as that school is at least trying to help them. They are not doing it 100% but they are attempting to help.

[KSD]

Hormones? TRY MILK

Originally Posted by MamaVolpe

What : Birth control contains hormones! That can't be a good idea for still developing girls. No to mention it should be Dr prescribed as the kid may have medical conditions that may be complicated if they are just taking free samples.

Sorry not a dad but wanted to add my 2 cents.

As a Father, I am so glad that my wife is concerned about our DD, so concerned that she has sought out Hormone free milk. If you are concerned bout the Hormones in Birth Control are you worried about the milk on your child's cereal?

A few links:
Google Search: http://tinyurl.com/18r
Health 101: Early Sexual Maturity and Milk Hormones
The Natural Child Project: The Dangers of Cow's Milk


Girls are developing earlier and have more sexual interactions because their body's are changing. I'd rather have a safe & smart child, than pregnant & pre-teen Girl.

JMHO

[paquerette]

I think most of us on MDC are at least on the same page that, if we use dairy, it should be hormone-free.