Springfield Massachusetts School Committee Wants To Hand Out Condoms To 12-Year-Olds
It’s a known fact that kids these days are having sex at an early age and now the School Committee in Springfield, Massachusetts has taken first-step approval in preparing to provides children 12-years and older access to free condoms. The school board hopes the plan will help prevent sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy.
Known as the “Comprehensive Reproductive Health Policy” the first-stage acceptance passed with a vote of 5-1 and will require a second vote. The policy also includes a provision for mandatory counseling for students who ask to receive condoms.
According to the policy parents:
“Will be notified of condom availability in the schools and will have the opportunity to deny permission (opt out) for access to condoms for their student(s).”
This wouldn’t be the first city in the state to enact such a measure, Holyoke enacted a similar policy in 2004 that targeted middle school and high school students. While Holyoke still has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy’s in the state those numbers have fallen every single year since the school began offering free condoms to students.
The sole dissenting vote during the Springfield proposal was Peter Murphy who said he wasn’t comfortable offering condoms to 12-year-olds when the age of consent in the state is 16-years-old.
Students would be able to receive the condoms through school nurses and high schooled-based clinics and upon receiving the condoms students would receiving counseling that would include information about abstinence along with proper storage techniques for condoms.
According to one city officials the number one reason for teen dropouts in the United States is teenage pregnancy. A study revealed that a teen has a 27 percent chance of growing up in poverty if they give birth as a teen.
Do you think the school system in Springfield, Massachusetts is making the right decision in giving condoms to children as young as 12-years-old?
Tags : condoms, Condoms In Schools, Public Education, School Committee, Sex Education, Springfield, Springfield Massachusetts
Posted: March 16, 2012
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Mar 16, 2012
People are insane. I have a 12 year old who would die of embarrassment a the word. 12 is wasy too young.
Mar 16, 2012
Well, if young teenagers are having sex and there is nothing we can do to stop it, then go ahead and pass them out. Don't want to see Mommy and daughter at the bar together getting picked up by the same 21 years later.
Mar 17, 2012
Yes, they are making a great decision. It is obvious that they cannot go to their parents, therefore, it is up to the Department of Education to stop epidemics. I know of a 15 year old born HIV positive status and found out ONLY when her mom died when she was 15. Had she been sexually active, how many would have been exposed to the virus innocently? and there are many young ones that still don't know they are positive. Provide condoms with knowledge of responsibilities and consequences but continue to teach/preach abstinence!
Mar 17, 2012
Here's the deal parents. Public officials have an obligation to protect the public. The spread of infectious disease is a serious public health issue not only for the minor that spreads the disease and future health consequences, but also to protect the public from the cost of STIs and unintended pregnancy. EACH case of HIV costs taxpayers $600,000 over the life of the patient. Each teen pregnancy costs taxpayers approximately $6,000 + the costs of WIC, SNAP, and other social services, in addition to the future costs for the known higher probability of high school drop out, abuse & neglect, juvenile justice.
In high risk youth the average age at first sex is 13 yrs old and the average age of first pregnancy is 15 yrs old. If parents don't like their kids getting condoms in school, then we would be happy to pass legislation holding the parents accountable for their child's sexual activity. If the child tests positive for an STD or HIV or becomes pregnant, the PARENT will be held legally liable to pay a fine and the full costs. Parents need to take responsibility for supervising their kids, knowing their whereabouts and having open, trusting conversations about sex and providing education about abstinence and sex. When we see that happening on a large scale, we will not have to hand out condoms at school. Parents need to step up to their responsibilities.
Mar 17, 2012
And we shouldn't teach gun safety to kids who live in households of gun owners, either – I don't want my kids thinking it's OK to play with guns.
Aug 20, 2012
Ah yes it takes a village. The state continues to erode parental rights! Soon we will no longer have control over our children; just as the state had control over children in Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia!