Middle School to offer contraceptives

[Fash]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071018/ap_ ... ceptives_6

PORTLAND, Maine - After an outbreak of pregnancies among middle school girls, education officials in this city have decided to allow allow one school's health center to make birth control pills available to girls as young as 11.

King Middle School will become the first middle school in Maine to make a full range of contraception available, including birth control pills, patches and condoms. There are no national figures on how many middle schools provide such services. Most middle schoolers range in age from 11 to 13.

"It's very rare that middle schools do this," said Divya Mohan, a spokeswoman for the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care.

Portland's three middle schools reported 17 pregnancies during the last four years, not counting miscarriages or terminated pregnancies that weren't reported to the school nurse.

The Portland School Committee approved the plan, offered by city health officials, on a 7-2 vote Wednesday night. Whether the prescriptions would be offered this school year or next wasn't immediately clear.

King is the only one of the three schools with a health center, primarily because it has more students who get free or reduced-price lunch, said Lisa Belanger, who oversees Portland's student health centers.

Five of the 134 students who visited King's health center during the 2006-07 school year reported having sexual intercourse, said Amanda Rowe, lead nurse in Portland's school health centers.

Committee member Sarah Thompson, also the mother of a King eighth-grader, supported the policy, even though it made her "uncomfortable."

"I know I've done my job as a parent," Thompson said. "(But there) may be a time when she doesn't feel comfortable coming to me... (and) not all these kids have a strong parental advocate at home."

Chairman John Coyne opposed the change, saying the roles of social agencies and public schools have blurred over the years. "At some point there needs to be a clearing of the gray lines," he said.

The other "no" vote Wednesday night came from Ben Meiklejohn, who said a parental consent form, which allows students to receive any kind of treatment at the school health center, does not clearly define the services being offered.

Some opponents cited religious and health objections.

"We are dealing with children," said Diane Miller, a former school nurse said. "I am just horrified at the suggestion."

Another opponent, Peter Doyle, said he felt the proposal violated the rights of parents and puts students at risk of cancer because of hormones in the pill.

Supporters said a small number of students at King are sexually active, but they need better access to birth control.

"This isn't encouraging kids to have sex. This is about the kids who are engaging in sexually activity," Richard Veilleux said.

Condoms have been available since 2000 at King's health center. While students need parental permission to be treated there, the treatment itself is confidential under state law.

At King, birth control prescriptions will be given after a student undergoes a physical exam by a physician or nurse practitioner, Belanger.

Nationally, about one-fourth of student health centers that serve at least one grade of adolescents 11 and older dispense some form of contraception, said Mohan, whose Washington-based organization represents more than 1,700 school-based centers nationwide.

A high school in Topeka, Kan., stopped providing free condoms to students Wednesday after district officials learned of the month-old program. The district has a policy against providing contraceptives.

I don't believe kids should be getting involved at this age... but if they are, what's the harm in trying to make it safer? Preventing pregnancy is more important than trying to preserve innocence by way of ignoring the issue, imho.

[Funkmasterr]

Kids are fucking by the time they are 14 years old fairly commonly nowadays, so I am all for this. There is nothing you can do to stop them from doing it, so you may as well educate them and stop as many "babies having babies" situations as possible.

[Lynks]

I think someone needs to teach them what a pearl necklace is.

[Funkmasterr]

I think someone needs to teach them what a pearl necklace is.

[Sueven]

If people are fucking, they should be able to fuck safely and responsibly.

I do see the argument about the blurring of the lines between school and social agency, but as long as schools are providing health services, there's no reason they shouldn't provide comprehensive health services.

[Sabek]

What 11 year old is going to be responsible enough to take the pill daily and properly.
This will lead to a false sense of security.

[Nick]

If people are fucking, they should be able to fuck safely and responsibly.

I do see the argument about the blurring of the lines between school and social agency, but as long as schools are providing health services, there's no reason they shouldn't provide comprehensive health services.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

It's not the governments job to raise our children. It doesn't take a village.....it takes a family.

[Nick]

Yes, but that has little relevance when the reality is that underage fucking happens without parental knowledge, and therefore this a good backup to avoid thousands of youngsters shitting out a little muling cabbage every 9 months.

[Funkmasterr]

It's not the governments job to raise our children. It doesn't take a village.....it takes a family.

Fact of the matter is sir, kids are going to have sex a lot younger than their parents think/want. When 14 year old girls have role models like Paris Hilton and fucking Lindsay Lohan, are you really surprised they end up getting drunk and fucking? Chances are, if you have a kid this age and are convinced that they would never do this in a million years, they probably are/will.

No amount of parenting can change the massive effect douchebag celebreties and peer pressure have on most teenage kids.

[noel]

If every family is involved and responsible and educates their children properly then I agree with you Mid, but clearly... that's not the case.

Also, bear in mind who ultimately pays for the mistakes.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

Yes, but that has little relevance when the reality is that underage fucking happens without parental knowledge, and therefore this a good backup to avoid thousands of youngsters shitting out a little muling cabbage every 9 months.

No arguments. Of course, they are having sex. But, it is the parents responsibility to teach give them contraceptives. Sex Ed. in school is a good idea, but they should not be handing out rubbers to them. They can teach them about the dangers of talking to strangers, but I don't want them handing out canisters of pepper spray.

[Fash]

They can teach them about the dangers of talking to strangers, but I don't want them handing out canisters of pepper spray.

What harm would be done by giving them pepper spray?...

As far as it being the parents responsibility to give their kids condoms, I've never heard of that happening... I assume most parents are dead set against their kids being involved in anything like this to the point that they never mention it.

Also... If the parents choose not to give their kid condoms, and the kid gets pregnant or fathers a child, whose fault is it?...

Giving them the tools or access to the tools which can keep them safe serves the purpose of also explaining to them why it's important that they use them, if they were to engage in such acts...

As for engaging in such acts, I think they should also be educated why they shouldn't be... and it has nothing to do with abstinence for god's sake, rather that they should reserve that act for relationships they are serious about. Being a slut isn't cool.

[Nick]

words

Personally, I think that is a very naive view of reality. People are going to fuck whether you think its "right" or not, personally I'd prefer someone was there to at least provide the option of safety.

The argument that it promotes sex in young people is the same tired old nonsense as the abstinence argument. This is a reaction to reality, not an incitement to deviance.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

words

Personally, I think that is a very naive view of reality. People are going to fuck whether you think its "right" or not, personally I'd prefer someone was there to at least provide the option of safety.

The argument that it promotes sex in young people is the same tired old nonsense as the abstinence argument. This is a reaction to reality, not an incitement to deviance.

It couldn't be more obvious that you do not read a post before replying.

[Nick]

Sex Ed. in school is a good idea, but they should not be handing out rubbers to them

People are going to fuck whether you think its "right" or not, personally I'd prefer someone was there to at least provide the option of safety.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

What harm would be done by giving them pepper spray?...

Seriously? How many evacuations do you think will occur in a month of every kid having a pepper spray on their person? How many trips to the emergency room? How many lawsuits?

As far as it being the parents responsibility to give their kids condoms, I've never heard of that happening... I assume most parents are dead set against their kids being involved in anything like this to the point that they never mention it.

Just because you never heard of it, doesn't mean there aren't parents who do it.

Also... If the parents choose not to give their kid condoms, and the kid gets pregnant or fathers a child, whose fault is it?...

Why do you feel a need to assign blame? That's a big issue in todays society. There isn't always someone to blame. For some reason people feel better if they can just assign blame and move on.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

Sex Ed. in school is a good idea, but they should not be handing out rubbers to them

People are going to fuck whether you think its "right" or not, personally I'd prefer someone was there to at least provide the option of safety.

Again, couldn't be more obvious.

[Nick]

What a lot of contrary bullshit.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

What a lot of contrary bullshit.

Well said. You sure have changed your ways.

[Funkmasterr]

Mid take a second to re read what he said.

He is saying that most parents do not take it upon themselves to educate their chilluns and provide them w/ condoms, so it's better that someone is doing it then what is currently happening for the majority - which is just ignoring it like it's not there and then acting surprised when they get pregnant.

Should the parents be responsible? Yes. But parents continue to prove that they are not capable (or they are unwilling, I don't know which is worse) of responsibility for their children on a massive scale across a variety of issues, not just this one.

[laneela]

In a perfect world, you're right, Mid, parents *would* be responsible for raising their children. Unfortunately for everyone, we don't live in a perfect world. Just as if my child was choking and you were to give him the heimlich, I wouldn't sue you, I'd also want the school system, the neighbours, family friends and anyone else keeping an eye out on my kid when I'm not able to. I'd like to think that I raised my child up perfectly but contrary to popular belief, I'm not god so I'm all for people helping me help my child from his own stupidity.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

I'm sorry, but I strongly disagree. This is a bigger issue here. This is another, in a long line of examples, of wiping away personal responsibility and placing into the hands of a government institution. The same folks who were angry over the Patriot Act should be able to apply the same anger at this issue. It is the government taking control of how they believe you should live.

[Funkmasterr]

I totally agree with you that parents and peoples lack of responsibility in general is lacking to say the least and it is appalling. However, population control, and disease control are two serious issues (and really should be to the same people yelling about global warming.)

I don't think that anyone would argue about their 13 year old daughter's "right" to get pregnant. The massive amounts of teen pregnancies put a strain on our economy, the quality of life for the child born to the child is probably usually pretty low in comparison to someone who is ready to have a child, and the parents are always upset about it after the fact, even though they didn't play their part in preventing the issue.

I am all for parents and people in general taking responsibility for their action/inaction, but the fact is there is nothing anyone can do to force them to take this responsibility - and these issues need to be addressed. And if the parties that should be responsible continue to not do their part, someone has to do something.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

I totally agree with you that parents and peoples lack of responsibility in general is lacking to say the least and it is appalling. However, population control, and disease control are two serious issues (and really should be to the same people yelling about global warming.)

I don't think that anyone would argue about their 13 year old daughter's "right" to get pregnant. The massive amounts of teen pregnancies put a strain on our economy, the quality of life for the child born to the child is probably usually pretty low in comparison to someone who is ready to have a child, and the parents are always upset about it after the fact, even though they didn't play their part in preventing the issue.

I am all for parents and people in general taking responsibility for their action/inaction, but the fact is there is nothing anyone can do to force them to take this responsibility - and these issues need to be addressed. And if the parties that should be responsible continue to not do their part, someone has to do something.

You have already decided for the parents that all children should have birth control. Let's start there. Why is it you feel you have the right or the government has the right to take that decision out of the hands of the parents? By your way of thinking, yes, it should be given to all children. You completely skipped the debate over whether or not the government has the right to tell people how to parent. Suggest how people should parent, hmmmm, maybe. I'm not so bold as to think I know what's best for everyone. You obviously are. *Golf clap*

[Fash]

is it really debatable that less teen pregnancies isn't best for everyone?

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

is it really debatable that less teen pregnancies isn't best for everyone?

Nope. Not to me. I don't believe that is the debate that needs to be had before a school decides it's okay to pass out rubbers to kids.

[Funkmasterr]

I totally agree with you that parents and peoples lack of responsibility in general is lacking to say the least and it is appalling. However, population control, and disease control are two serious issues (and really should be to the same people yelling about global warming.)

I don't think that anyone would argue about their 13 year old daughter's "right" to get pregnant. The massive amounts of teen pregnancies put a strain on our economy, the quality of life for the child born to the child is probably usually pretty low in comparison to someone who is ready to have a child, and the parents are always upset about it after the fact, even though they didn't play their part in preventing the issue.

I am all for parents and people in general taking responsibility for their action/inaction, but the fact is there is nothing anyone can do to force them to take this responsibility - and these issues need to be addressed. And if the parties that should be responsible continue to not do their part, someone has to do something.

You have already decided for the parents that all children should have birth control. Let's start there. Why is it you feel you have the right or the government has the right to take that decision out of the hands of the parents? By your way of thinking, yes, it should be given to all children. You completely skipped the debate over whether or not the government has the right to tell people how to parent. Suggest how people should parent, hmmmm, maybe. I'm not so bold as to think I know what's best for everyone. You obviously are. *Golf clap*

How am I suggesting that dude? These parents prove time and time again to not be responsible, are we all supposed to just sit around and wait until the end of the world for people to be responsible because it ISN'T HAPPENING, not at all. Are you seriously going to argue a 14 year old girls right to get pregnant? The parents forfeit their right to the decision when they ignore the issue because "their little angel would never suck dick", fuck that man.

I don't know what's best for everyone, what I do know is if we don't get a control on our population, the many (negative) effects that it will have on our environment are going to end up wiping us out faster than "global warming".

What is your suggestion? We tell parents that they need to talk to their kids about sex and protection (this has only been done half a billion times) and then say "oh well, we tried, I guess we'll just have to deal with it". No, we don't have that luxury. Your daughter getting knocked up, moving out of your house at a young age and leaching off the government is effecting us all, not just your family - so if you (not you specifically) don't want to do something about it on your own accord, someone has to step in at some point.

[Nick]

"You're infringing on my right to let my 12 year old idiot son cum into the developing womb of an emotionally unprepared 11 year old girl, this is a dictatorship! I'll be the one to decide that!"

[Sueven]

It is the government taking control of how they believe you should live.

I think something is missing here. The government isn't forcing kids to use contraception. The government is making contraception available. I feel fairly confident that parents remain fully capable of enforcing their rules whether or not schools are capable of dispensing birth control.

[Boogahz]

This isn't about handing out condoms, it is about providing birth control pills.

[Funkmasterr]

This isn't about handing out condoms, it is about providing birth control pills.

That got jumbled in all of the bullshit, but my stance still stands. If they educate the kids, and the girl is really that much more intelligent than her parents and realizes that 1- she is going to be having sex, and 2-she should do something to stop herself from getting pregnant, then that is fantastic.

[Spang]

I'm willing to bet most underage pregnancies happen to bad kids or to kids with bad parents. If you're a good parent and/or have good kids, they probably won't be getting pregnant regardless of making birth control available at the schools. Not all kids have good parents, though and for that reason, this is a great idea.

[Zaelath]

is it really debatable that less teen pregnancies isn't best for everyone?

Nope. Not to me. I don't believe that is the debate that needs to be had before a school decides it's okay to pass out rubbers to kids.

They had the debate, and the vote. You lost.

[Hesten]

I think its a great idea. BUT it should not be used instead of sex education, they should focus BOTH on a usefull sex education (preaching abstinence till you get married are NOT sex education), and provide contraceptives.
Kids WILL have sex, no matter what you tell them (ok, most kids), and ill much rather see a 15 year old (or less for that matter, since its middle school) kid get condoms before having sex than a 15 year old pregnant girl with no clue that sex could get her pregnant because sex ed in some parts of the US are between horrible and nonexistant.

Personally, my parents decided when i was 14 to put a pack of condoms on a shelf in the bathroom and tell me where to find them, to aviod me the embarassment to come to ask for them. I think that was a pretty good way, to make sure the kid know where to find condoms if he need them, or think he will need them. Of course its no good if the parent daily check and shout if the pack are gone, but if they handle it that way the kid do get some help, AND aviod the eventual family fight

[Somali]

Ok I'll speak up on this. "Kids are going to have sex no matter what. (Most kids)"

I would argue that ever amidst peer pressure this is largely a matter of parenting and values instilled within the child. With that said, the increased availability coupled with the peerpressure, which will be even stronger when contracetive methods are available will aid in the removal of the values the parents who don't want thier kids fucking like bunnies and don't think they should automatically assume that their "kid" is going to have sex. Education is one thing, but the manner in which we educate and the availbility of contraception will contribute the number of children having sex prematurely. When I say prematurely I mean that they do not have the mental faculty to properly understand the obligations or repercussions that come with sex and/or pregnancy.

[Fash]

http://wcbstv.com/local/wellness.fair.gay.2.392825.html

Explicit Sex-Ed Pamphlets Distributed To Pre-Teens
Brochures Detail Straight, Gay Sex Practices; Show Graphic STD Images

RVINGTON, N.Y. (CBS) ―

Children as young as 10-years-old in Westchester were among those mistakenly given graphic sex education material meant for adults, leaving parents furious and even more upset with answers they're getting about the incident.

Catherine Johnson says all was not well at the recent "Wellness Fair" at the Irvington Middle and High School campus. Her 13-year-old son, and many even younger, were given sex ed pamphlets that contain graphic language and graphic advice on straight and gay sex practices, including oral and anal sex.

Her son, Chris, being an eighth grader, didn't seem to mind.

"He was hopped up, he thought it was funny," she tells CBS 2.

But she was not amused and neither was her neighbor, Dan Knowler.

"I don't think my child, age 11 in grade six, should be hearing about adult sex practices. He's not ready yet," Knowler says.

Just how explicit were the pamphlets? One brochure, "Lesbians & HIV: Are You At Risk?" offered lesbians tips to prevent themselves from being infected with HIV. Another pamphlet even provided graphic symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases in men, including suspicious growths on testicles and genital discharge.

The wellness fair was run by the Westchester County Department of Health, which put its stamp of approval right on the back of those pamphlets, where it is clearly noted the material is intended for adults.

"Some of these brochures had information that was not appropriate for the younger kids and we're sorry about that. That was a mistake," says County Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua Lipsman.

Lipsman says new distribution procedures will prevent the mistake from happening again, but Knowler, Johnson, and other parents say school principal Joe Witazek failed to act when a student brought him the brochures and told him it was inappropriate for them. "The principal … rebuffed him. He did nothing," Johnson said.

Witazek didn't comment to CBS 2 on the issue, but parents have had plenty to say and may take the issue to the school board.

The County Healthy Department says some schools ask to review materials in advance of these wellness fairs, but Irvington chose not to.

hadn't considered information specifically related to gay practices being handed out before... is an impressionable young mind more apt to consider it after this information so cavalierly presents it as normal?.. keep in mind I'm one of those people who doesn't believe it's genetic.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

11 year olds don't need this shit, period. My son is 11 and he is far from ready for this. Thankfully, my son attends a school where the people running still have a sense of decency and intelligence on this issue.

[Sylvus]

11 year olds don't need this shit, period. My son is 11 and he is far from ready for this. Thankfully, my son attends a school where the people running still have a sense of decency and intelligence on this issue.

Hypothetically speaking though, suppose your son was having sex with a girl from school. For whatever reason, he hasn't told you about it. You would prefer that birth control/contraceptives weren't available if he chose to try and be responsible about it? For a number of kids, it's a lot tougher talking to your folks about sex than it is to talk to a doctor, particularly if you know that the doctor isn't allowed to talk to anyone else about it.

I think that having a sense of intelligence on the issue includes knowing that kids are going to have sex, and a sense of decency includes encouraging those kids who are going to, regardless of what they are told, to do it in a responsible manner.

[Fash]

update: they're putting some limits on the original plan.

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story ... 8&ac=PHnws

A Portland School Committee member wants to give parents the power to keep their children from participating in a controversial new plan to make prescription birth control available to students at King Middle School.

Benjamin Meiklejohn submitted a resolution Monday, to be considered by the committee on Nov. 7. The proposal would give parents the option to block access to prescription contraception if they enroll their children in the King Student Health Center.

Meiklejohn's proposal also would limit access to prescription contraception such as "the pill" and "the patch" to students who are at least 14 years old.

The committee's 7-2 vote last week would make King the first middle school in Maine to offer a full range of contraception in grades 6 to 8, when students are 11 to 15 years old, school officials said.

Meiklejohn said some committee members urged him to delay submitting his resolution, fearing it would fan the flames of a national media frenzy over the committee's decision. But Meiklejohn said it would be a mistake to put off action on an issue that has divided the community.

"We should bring some resolution to this issue as soon as possible," said Meiklejohn, who voted against providing prescription birth control at King.

Although students need written parental permission to be treated at King's health center, state law allows them to receive confidential care for reproductive health, mental health and substance abuse issues. So parents who allow their children to be treated there may never know whether their children receive the pill or the patch or any other reproductive health care.

King's health center, which is operated by the city's Public Health Division, has provided condoms as part of comprehensive reproductive health care since it opened in 2000.

John Coyne, School Committee chairman, said he supports the general ideas behind Meiklejohn's proposal, but he wants to make sure it wouldn't break state laws that ensure access to health care and privacy of minors. Coyne also voted against offering prescription contraception at King.

"I would never want to put out something for the board to vote on that is illegal," Coyne said. "If we can figure out the legal issues around this decision, maybe we can come up with something a little more palatable to me and others."

Committee members Rebecca Minnick and Susan Hopkins said they probably wouldn't vote to reduce the scope of reproductive health services provided at King. Other committee members couldn't be reached for comment Monday.

"If it saves one girl from getting pregnant too soon, it's worth it," Minnick said.

Coyne and Meiklejohn noted that the health center at Maranacook Community School in Readfield, which includes high school and a middle school, limits reproductive health services, including prescription contraception, to students ages 14 and up.

Mary Callan, principal of Maranacook Community Middle School, said the age limit was set about three years ago, after the health center received a grant to augment its reproductive health services. She said the health center's advisory board held community meetings to learn how parents wanted the services to be delivered.

Meiklejohn's proposal also would require all parental permission forms for Portland's six school-based health centers to more clearly explain services that can be provided confidentially to minors under state law.

King's current information sheet refers to the state law that limits parental access to student health information. It also lists "a few of the services offered" to students, such as treatment of sore throats, acne and muscle strains, as well as "testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases" and "psychiatric evaluations and follow-up."

Some services that have been offered since 2000 but aren't on the list include pregnancy testing, gynecological exams, contraceptive counseling and condoms.

Before voting to provide prescription contraception at King, committee members directed health officials to update the information sheet to clearly state the full range of services offered at the health center.

Lisa Belanger, a nurse practitioner who oversees the school- based health centers for the city, said King's information sheet excluded some of the more inflammatory services offered at the health center largely because they represent a small percentage of the services provided.

The top five reasons for visits to the health center last year were, in descending order: immunizations, physical examinations, sore throat, upper respiratory infection and asthma, Belanger said.

Students whose parents decline to enroll them in the health center would still be able to visit the school nurse for basic health care, she said.

Last year, five King students, ages 14 and 15, reported having sexual intercourse, health officials said. In the last four years, Portland's three middle schools reported 17 pregnancies, not counting miscarriages or terminated pregnancies that weren't reported to the school nurse, according to Amanda Rowe, the department's head nurse.

The city's Public Health Division operates health centers at Portland High School, Deering High School, King Middle School, West School special education program, and Reiche and East End community schools, which are elementary schools. They are funded by state money and foundation grants, MaineCare/ Medicaid and private health insurance reimbursements, and in- kind contributions of space and services provided by the city.

King is the only one of Portland's three middle schools with a health center, primarily because it has more students who get free or reduced-price lunch, Belanger said.

Moore and Lincoln middle schools don't have health centers, and their students are ineligible for treatment at the King Student Health Center.

Contraception would be prescribed after a physical examination by a physician or nurse practitioner and would include advanced counseling and follow-up care, Belanger said.

Types of prescription birth control available through the health centers include contraceptive pills, patches or injections, as well as the morning-after pill. Diaphragms and IUDs are not usually prescribed, she said.

[Acies]

This vaguely reminds me of the Burma thread...

Mid, so are you proposing that since the parents are not doing their jobs, you would allow these kids to have un-safe sex to teach them (and society) a lesson? Well, damage done at that point my friend, no further lesson needed because, hey, the situation is fubared! Kind like your son being facinated with guns, and you being against it, so instead of putting him through gun safety courses or the NRA, whathaveyou, you decide to let him shoot himself one day to teach him a lesson.

What people are trying to prevent in this case are, as funk said, babies having babies. People who are not willing to use that threat (and eventuality) as ammo to enforce their own beliefs against sex, but rather just so that they do not suffer because of a childish decision by none other than a child (they are sort of notorious for childish stuff, if I remember correctly).