School District Under Fire for Condom Policy

[Rainstorm]

PROVINCETOWN, Mass. (June 24) - A new policy in a Massachusetts public school district that makes condoms available to all students, even those in elementary school, is drawing criticism from some who say it goes too far.

Provincetown School Board Chairman Peter Grosso says because there is no set age when sexual activity starts, the committee decided not to set an age for condom availability.

Under the policy, any student requesting a condom from a school nurse must first receive counseling, which includes information on abstinence. The policy does not require the school to contact parents.

The policy was approved by Provincetown's school committee June 10. It takes effect in the fall.

Kris Mineau, president of the conservative Massachusetts Family Institute, calls the idea absurd.
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I don't see it as that bad. Kids are going to have sex eventually, and in this generation, it's getting to be that at a younger age. Better prepare them and give them the actual facts, and not just myths made up by friends.

[Aspiringanonymous]

Most are just in denial about the reality that children are commencing sexual activity at increasingly, perhaps even disturbingly young ages (as the age for onset of puberty is similarly lowering). I commend these people for being aware and having the courage to embrace that awareness.

[Rainstorm]

Most are just in denial about the reality that children are commencing sexual activity at increasingly, perhaps even disturbingly young ages (as the age for onset of puberty is similarly lowering). I commend these people for being aware and having the courage to embrace that awareness.

I agree.

I'd also like to say, the students aren't being given condoms just by teachers. They have the choice to go to the nurse to get them.

Doesn't mean you'll see the 4th graders with a condom. Just that there is the option

[Junky]

A disconcerting reality.

[Ryhanna]

It's a good idea, seeing as kids are having sex younger and younger.

There's nothing you can do to stop them apart from chop their parts off... So why fight it? Just make sure they're protected.

[Antares]

I wonder how that will affect pregnancy rates

[Junky]

I wonder how that will affect pregnancy rates
Not really condoms are not not used for lack of availability, but lack of a guy manning up and buying one. So I personally believe that the rates might fluctuate slightly but not much

[Perseus]

Since when do Elementary schoolers have sex? Lol, really... Anyway, it's a good idea. I just think Elementary is absurd. No fourth to fifth grader has sex. I mean, really. They have other things on their minds.

[Sage]

Since when do Elementary schoolers have sex?Depends on the school I suppose. I went to a rather, how you say... pristine? Wholesome? Sort of elementary school. I recognize that in different areas, children are probably up to things that I never even considered doing at their age.

[Awesome]

This should happen everywhere in America (except for elementary schools) Teens will have sex no matter what. Handing out condoms and recieving counseling on safe sex and how to properly use a condom would be great in today's world. I think this would reduce most the teen pregancies.

Though as Junky says, people actually asking for them would be rare. So we should figure out a way to get condoms whenever you want, but then theres the counseling part. This could be worked out in the few years prehaps.

[Jess]

uh.....Hope my school doesn't go under this policy

[Sage]

uh.....Hope my school doesn't go under this policy

Why? If you don't want one, don't take one.

[Happy Turtle]

I think its better that it's available then it not be and STDs are spread. It is unlikely many will be used, but it allows them to be an option to younger kids who might not buy a condom from, say, a convenience store, and rather not use protection at all.

[munchausen]

Since when do Elementary schoolers have sex? Lol, really... Anyway, it's a good idea. I just think Elementary is absurd. No fourth to fifth grader has sex. I mean, really. They have other things on their minds.

Actually it's more common than you'd think, there are some parts of america and britain it's widespread for 10 to 12 year olds to have sex so really the fact that the government is acknowledging this and giving these kids the facts about sex can't really be that bad.

[Perseus]

Actually it's more common than you'd think, there are some parts of america and britain it's widespread for 10 to 12 year olds to have sex so really the fact that the government is acknowledging this and giving these kids the facts about sex can't really be that bad.

Ten year olds can't even really have sex, so that's just weird that they try.

[Sith Lord 13]

Ten year olds can't even really have sex, so that's just weird that they try.

Actually, they can. Kinda sad and scary to think about, but they can.

[Perseus]

Actually, they can. Kinda sad and scary to think about, but they can.

Ten year olds can't have an orgasm...

[Tiberius]

Since when do Elementary schoolers have sex? Lol, really... Anyway, it's a good idea. I just think Elementary is absurd. No fourth to fifth grader has sex. I mean, really. They have other things on their minds.
Obviously you didn't go to my school. Kids might have not been having sex, but they sure were being..."curious and experimental."
Ten year olds can't have an orgasm...

I don't know what species you are talking about, but humans can orgasm at any age. It's not a hormonal change that allows people to orgasm, it's mental and neural-physical stimulation that enable orgasms to occur. You might be confusing an orgasm with ejaculation.

I think this is a good idea. I'm frankly tired of seeing all of these religious wack jobs trying to say sex is a horrible thing and refusing to address the issue of teen pregnancy and the transfer of std's. They're doing a great thing by providing an easy way for teens to prevent pregnancies and std's along with giving them an education of the effects of sex.

[Perseus]

Obviously you didn't go to my school. Kids might have not been having sex, but they sure were being..."curious and experimental."


I don't know what species you are talking about, but humans can orgasm at any age. It's not a hormonal change that allows people to orgasm, it's mental and neural-physical stimulation that enable orgasms to occur. You might be confusing an orgasm with ejaculation.



I use orgasm to mean ejaculation, so that's my fault. I'm not saying putting it in elementary school is bad, it's just I can't fathom that ten year olds have sex. :P

[Tiberius]

I use orgasm to mean ejaculation, so that's my fault. I'm not saying putting it in elementary school is bad, it's just I can't fathom that ten year olds have sex. :P

That might explain things then.

[Jcat3]

This is funny and stupid

[HillBillyWilly]

Im pretty sure that the 4th graders don't have sex. the option is there, and keep in mind that the student has to ASK for one, if they dont know what a condom is, they cant get one, and i certainly didn't know how sex worked in fourth grade.

plus, they have to go through counceling about sex and all that.

[Amnesiac]

They should do this here in texas, since we have disturbing teen pregnancy rates, and most schools (if not all?) teach concrete you-will-get-arrested-and-die abstinence. It's a horrible, horrible thing, because it doesn't work.

These abstinence lessons disappointed me even more when I consider how I'm living in one of Texas' more liberal cities. And when the principals of my school were self-proclaimed Democrats (but then again I don't think sex policy is their choice, it's the district's).

[mxrider155]

I think its better that it's available then it not be and STDs are spread. It is unlikely many will be used, but it allows them to be an option to younger kids who might not buy a condom from, say, a convenience store, and rather not use protection at all.

plus, its not like the school is just handing them out and saying "have fun kids." i think it is ok because they are counseling the student before hand, and making them actually think if sex is something they are ready for