CBS 21 Community

Hi Paul -

In view of my own children, I totally agree with your opinion. I want to be the one discussing these topics with my children, not the school.

On the flip side, we are all aware that there are parents out there who are parents by name only. They do not take responsibility for their children or teach them any values or morals, much less respect for themselves. If the parents are not going to take the initiative to talk to their children, then I'm glad someone will and hopefully before an unplanned pregnancy occurs. Do I believe it is absurd that a middle school child would be on birth control? Absolutely. Is it a reality in today's world? Unfortunately yes.

Programs such as this force parents who are trying to raise good and responsible children to have discussions about topics at a much earlier age than we might personally choose in order to provide our children with accurate information.

So, I do see its value when applied to children who may not have the benefit of a responsible parent. I would much prefer a program of contraception rather than abortion.

The world is moving at a much faster pace than I would like. I realize it's no longer a Leave It To Beaver world, but there's something to be said for that era of time.

Just as an update, the school passed a measure Wednesday night and they WILL be going ahead with this plan.  They claim that some kids cannot talk to their parents about sex.

My opininon, OUTRAGEOUS!  Let me raise my kids please!

Oh, I've also learned that it's illegal to have sex in Maine if you're under 14.  So, isn't this encouraging them to break the law?

So many things wrong here.

What do you think?

i think once kids start having sex should b on birth control.

Laseptcha-

What age do you think it's appropriate for kids to be sexually active?

Do you think middle-schoolers (generally 11-13 years old) are capable of handling the emotions that go with having sex?  Are they capable of making decisions that could affect the rest of their lives?

I just read an interesting view on this on dailykos.   It's a ding on the mainstream media for running with this story in the manner that it has, because bringing up the youngest possible child that could benefit from the service doesn't represent the intent of the program.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/10/24/15414/413

Portland runs a Public Health Clinic in King Middle School because many students near the poverty level don't have access to a primary care doctor.  Anyone can receive services at the clinic if their parents fill out a form that requires extensive information. The form is in that big packet of forms parents get at the beginning of the year, including forms asking about income and emergency contacts.  It is not an easily forged permission slip.

Currently, teens in Portland can get confidential contraception without parents’ permission three ways; at Maine Medical Center, Planned Parenthood, or their primary care doctor. The King principal wanted to erase this inequity to allow teens who get their primary care at the Public Health Clinic to have access to the all the same services.  The kids most at risk weren't making it to other clinics. The Public Health Dept asked the School Committee to allow the clinic to provide female contraception along with it's other services (condoms have been provided for several years).

Last year, five teens age 14 or 15 reported to the nurse they were sexually active.  Where did the hysteria about giving birth control to 11 year olds come from? At the School Committee meeting, someone who spoke against the proposal said "this means kids a young as 11."  The MSM ran with it.  Fox News spent two days in front of the school trying to film kids through windows.  When the older kids were interviewed later in the week by Bill Nemitz, they wondered why the cameras were focusing on the 11 year olds, and not them, who were the ones affected.  

Teens who come to the nurse saying they are sexually active are counseled about about possible abuse, coercion,the risks of early sexual activity, and are encouraged to wait. She tries to get a parent or other adult relative involved.  I guess the MSM forgot to tell you that.  They are tested for pregnancy and STDs.  She refers them to the nurse practioner or pediatrician who staffs the clinic for the actual services, and contiues to check in regularly. Hypothetically, I suppose a sexually active 11-year-old could come to her, but it hasn't happened yet--and if one did, knowing the nurse, she would handle that very differently.

I have lived in Maine nad have seen lot's of teen pregnancy's while living there and also they get married very young up there and I'm not just talking about 18yrs old and getting married it's alot younger and they are not very educated children ethier..

Maine is very much farm land and a very lay back place to live in your nearest shopping mall could ened up being over 1hr away (No Joke)

I think it's great idear to have the schools handing out protection expicaly if our children now adays feel that they cant talk to us and jus tthink it just might lower the TEEN PREGNANCY RATE as well