Should teenagers be able to visit their school health clinic or nurse and be provided condoms, no questions asked?
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Should condoms be made available at schools?
It is my belief that most teenagers are going to have sex, pretty much regardless of what we tell them. I only have a few friends that didn't have sex in high school. I can understand that some students might be embarrassed to take free condoms from the nurse or the health department and that we can't make anybody use a condom, but if they're free and readily available, there's a much better chance (in my opinion) that they'll get used.
10/18/2011
Most definitely. I don't think they should have to ask anyone for them. I think they should be in a discreet place where the kids can just grab a handful and go. I don't care if they use them to make balloon animals afterwards, I just want them to have the ability to make their own choices regarding their sex life. And none of this Lifestyles too small for a toddler crap either. Throw some Trojans in there so they'll actually use them.
10/18/2011
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!
I believe that having these readily available in the nurse's office would be a big help. Most teens may be too embarrassed to go ask for them, but I think it would be a great idea.
I think having these available, too, in a sex ed or family planning class would be a great idea as well. The teacher could just automatically hand them out to students, and I think that they should also maybe send a letter home with parents informing them of what they are doing.
I believe that having these readily available in the nurse's office would be a big help. Most teens may be too embarrassed to go ask for them, but I think it would be a great idea.
I think having these available, too, in a sex ed or family planning class would be a great idea as well. The teacher could just automatically hand them out to students, and I think that they should also maybe send a letter home with parents informing them of what they are doing.
10/18/2011
Quote:
Agree!
Originally posted by
Jul!a
It is my belief that most teenagers are going to have sex, pretty much regardless of what we tell them. I only have a few friends that didn't have sex in high school. I can understand that some students might be embarrassed to take free condoms
...
It is my belief that most teenagers are going to have sex, pretty much regardless of what we tell them. I only have a few friends that didn't have sex in high school. I can understand that some students might be embarrassed to take free condoms from the nurse or the health department and that we can't make anybody use a condom, but if they're free and readily available, there's a much better chance (in my opinion) that they'll get used.
10/18/2011
I'm raising two boys and when they get to a certain age, there will be a bowl of condoms in a closet or under the sink in their bathroom or some other discreet place so that they don't have to ask for them, they can just grab them. I want safe, healthy kids and I'm not blind to the fact that they will have sex eventually and probably not tell me about it. I want them to make it out of adolescence alive and child free!
10/18/2011
Absolutely. I went to 3 high schools, and one of them had 25-cent condom dispensers in the bathrooms. Lots of girls used it (thankfully!) and there wasn't a very high pregnancy rate in that school. My mom also kept a covered candy dish of condoms inside the front door, and my little sister and her friends made use of it quite often (Me and mine just got condoms at school). It worked, because none of us wound up with any kids before graduation, and I don't *think* anyone got any STDs either.
I think any way that condoms can be made discreetly available is a good idea, particularly since they're expensive at the stores and a lot of kids are too shy or broke to buy them that way.
I think any way that condoms can be made discreetly available is a good idea, particularly since they're expensive at the stores and a lot of kids are too shy or broke to buy them that way.
10/18/2011
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I think that might be pushing it. to a lot of people handing out free condoms is akin to saying, "Go ahead teens, screw your brains out, its ok because you have a rubber!" condoms are readily available at drug stores all over the country, and if a teen really needs a condom that badly, they will ask their parents for the money, or spend their own on it.
Originally posted by
AngelvMaynard
Should teenagers be able to visit their school health clinic or nurse and be provided condoms, no questions asked?
10/18/2011
For me it's a no brainer. Really what's worse, having sex and getting pregnant or having sex and staying safe. Fact is, teenagers are horny. The 'no condoms' thing seems like a case of out of sight out of mind...and really, it's not true. Teens will have sex. They just will. They've been doing it for thousands and thousands of years.
My school had condoms available, and no one got pregnant. We had quite good sex ed as well!
My school had condoms available, and no one got pregnant. We had quite good sex ed as well!
10/18/2011
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definitely..but i think there should be free condoms in local spots.seriously,I work at a store and when we run out and people come in looking for them and i say we are out they get this look on there face like should i go to another store?not good..so i think they should be available everywheres for free or cheap.like a quarter machine or something
Originally posted by
AngelvMaynard
Should teenagers be able to visit their school health clinic or nurse and be provided condoms, no questions asked?
10/18/2011
Quote:
i wish there were more parents with this perspective. i'm mostly definitely gonna do the same for my daughter!
Originally posted by
AngelvMaynard
I'm raising two boys and when they get to a certain age, there will be a bowl of condoms in a closet or under the sink in their bathroom or some other discreet place so that they don't have to ask for them, they can just grab them. I want
...
I'm raising two boys and when they get to a certain age, there will be a bowl of condoms in a closet or under the sink in their bathroom or some other discreet place so that they don't have to ask for them, they can just grab them. I want safe, healthy kids and I'm not blind to the fact that they will have sex eventually and probably not tell me about it. I want them to make it out of adolescence alive and child free!
10/18/2011
Quote:
When I was in Paris working, there were condom machines on street corners. Not in "seedy" parts of town, they were all over just like a newspaper dispenser. It was awesome. You would see people stroll up and get one and walk off. No one pointed and stared or acted like it was a big deal.
Originally posted by
shySEXXaddict
definitely..but i think there should be free condoms in local spots.seriously,I work at a store and when we run out and people come in looking for them and i say we are out they get this look on there face like should i go to another store?not
...
definitely..but i think there should be free condoms in local spots.seriously,I work at a store and when we run out and people come in looking for them and i say we are out they get this look on there face like should i go to another store?not good..so i think they should be available everywheres for free or cheap.like a quarter machine or something
10/19/2011
Quote:
I voted yes for the same reason.
Originally posted by
Jul!a
It is my belief that most teenagers are going to have sex, pretty much regardless of what we tell them. I only have a few friends that didn't have sex in high school. I can understand that some students might be embarrassed to take free condoms
...
It is my belief that most teenagers are going to have sex, pretty much regardless of what we tell them. I only have a few friends that didn't have sex in high school. I can understand that some students might be embarrassed to take free condoms from the nurse or the health department and that we can't make anybody use a condom, but if they're free and readily available, there's a much better chance (in my opinion) that they'll get used.
10/19/2011
Quote:
Excellent idea! I have girls. We had a copy of Our Bodies Ourselves on the coffee table and any of the girls were free to look up anything they wanted to ask me questions at any time. I also made sure that Planned Parenthood visits took place (they preferred to go by themselves and I can understand that) when things looked serious with a boy.
Originally posted by
AngelvMaynard
I'm raising two boys and when they get to a certain age, there will be a bowl of condoms in a closet or under the sink in their bathroom or some other discreet place so that they don't have to ask for them, they can just grab them. I want
...
I'm raising two boys and when they get to a certain age, there will be a bowl of condoms in a closet or under the sink in their bathroom or some other discreet place so that they don't have to ask for them, they can just grab them. I want safe, healthy kids and I'm not blind to the fact that they will have sex eventually and probably not tell me about it. I want them to make it out of adolescence alive and child free!
We also keep a card of Plan B in the house. No one will have to run out IF a condom breaks! (Or if My Man slips.. it's happened, even after years of knowing what we are doing.)
I never thought to put condoms in the house, but it is a great idea.
Nobody EVER had sex simply because a condom was available, but a lot of girls have gotten pregnant or gotten STDs because one wasn't available.
10/19/2011
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I'm sorry but your thinking isn't backed up by the facts. Teens do NOT have more sex if birth control is available. However they DO get pregnant and get STDs.
Originally posted by
Gallowraven
I think that might be pushing it. to a lot of people handing out free condoms is akin to saying, "Go ahead teens, screw your brains out, its ok because you have a rubber!" condoms are readily available at drug stores all over the country,
...
I think that might be pushing it. to a lot of people handing out free condoms is akin to saying, "Go ahead teens, screw your brains out, its ok because you have a rubber!" condoms are readily available at drug stores all over the country, and if a teen really needs a condom that badly, they will ask their parents for the money, or spend their own on it.
Most teens have sex; that's a fact. MANY teens either do not have the money for condoms (they aren't cheap anymore) or are embarrassed to buy them. Asking their parents for the money for condoms? Are you a parent? Were you ever a teen? That might work with a few enlightened parents, like some here, but MANY parents would give birth to a cow if their kid asked for condom money! And probably punish the kid as well.
And you know what? THOSE are the kids who end up pregnant and with STDs. In our neighborhood, the most "strict" parents, those who "don't believe" in allowing their kids access to birth control or maintain an "Abstinence Only" ideas are the ones with pregnant teens. Three years ago, FOUR girls on our block got pregnant in High School, had the babies and kept them. Two have already abandoned their babies and gone off with new guys, and ALL the parents of these kids believed in "No birth control access." Now they are in their late 30s through their 50s and starting parenthood (through full time grand parenting) all over again. I'm sorry those kids had to be brought into a world where they simply weren't wanted, and two of them already thrown away (one grandparent is in a custody struggle with her meth addicted daughter for custody of the child.) ALL the girls kept their babies and TWO have already abandoned them, all from "Good Christian homes." All of whom DO NOT believe in giving teens access to birth control. Sheesh. Yeah, that worked out great for the kids, their parents AND the babies. (heavy sarcasm)
My two older girls (the same age as the pregnant girls) had access to birth control and NONE of them have ever gotten pregnant. The same will be done with my 11 year old. (I LOVE the condom in a bowl idea, Angel!)
Access equals power.
NOBODY has sex simply because birth control is available. But, the availability of birth control, and STD prevention saves teens and others every day.
10/19/2011
Quote:
It doesn't send the message to go out and have sex. It sends this message:
Originally posted by
Gallowraven
I think that might be pushing it. to a lot of people handing out free condoms is akin to saying, "Go ahead teens, screw your brains out, its ok because you have a rubber!" condoms are readily available at drug stores all over the country,
...
I think that might be pushing it. to a lot of people handing out free condoms is akin to saying, "Go ahead teens, screw your brains out, its ok because you have a rubber!" condoms are readily available at drug stores all over the country, and if a teen really needs a condom that badly, they will ask their parents for the money, or spend their own on it.
"We know you're doing this. Please be safe."
I was one of a handful of girls in my high school who hadn't had sex by the time they graduated. As a matter of fact, amongst my friends (excluding me), you could count them on one hand and still have fingers left to pick your nose (both nostrils simultaneously). It's naive to think that limited access to condoms stops ANY teenager from having sex. They don't make a show called TEEN MOM because it's an unusual phenomena.
10/19/2011
Quote:
Amen to that last sentence!
Originally posted by
P'Gell
Excellent idea! I have girls. We had a copy of Our Bodies Ourselves on the coffee table and any of the girls were free to look up anything they wanted to ask me questions at any time. I also made sure that Planned Parenthood visits took place (they
...
Excellent idea! I have girls. We had a copy of Our Bodies Ourselves on the coffee table and any of the girls were free to look up anything they wanted to ask me questions at any time. I also made sure that Planned Parenthood visits took place (they preferred to go by themselves and I can understand that) when things looked serious with a boy.
We also keep a card of Plan B in the house. No one will have to run out IF a condom breaks! (Or if My Man slips.. it's happened, even after years of knowing what we are doing.)
I never thought to put condoms in the house, but it is a great idea.
Nobody EVER had sex simply because a condom was available, but a lot of girls have gotten pregnant or gotten STDs because one wasn't available.
We also keep a card of Plan B in the house. No one will have to run out IF a condom breaks! (Or if My Man slips.. it's happened, even after years of knowing what we are doing.)
I never thought to put condoms in the house, but it is a great idea.
Nobody EVER had sex simply because a condom was available, but a lot of girls have gotten pregnant or gotten STDs because one wasn't available.
I have given my oldest a book to read through alone and then ask periodically if he's reading it or if he has questions. A couple of weeks ago he asked me to explain what a girls "period" was. I went in to all the details from why we have them to how some times it makes us cranky and irritable and why. Not only do I want my boys to understand how it works for them, I want them to grow up to be men that are understanding and sympathetic to women and how our bodies affect us.
10/19/2011
Quote:
Ugh, not to hijack this thread but Teen Mom is seriously starting to piss me off. What started out as something with good intentions has quickly gone downhill. Each episode gets closer to glorifying teen pregnancy. There's no disclaimer anywhere that says these girls are being paid by the show and that's why they're successful in keeping a roof over their kid's head and food in their stomachs. I mean, I'm glad it worked out for everyone but those girls aren't in "reality", they're in a reality show. Most teen girls don't have that kind of support when they tell mom and dad they're knocked up at fifteen.
Originally posted by
BBW Talks Toys
It doesn't send the message to go out and have sex. It sends this message:
"We know you're doing this. Please be safe."
I was one of a handful of girls in my high school who hadn't had sex by the time they ...
"We know you're doing this. Please be safe."
I was one of a handful of girls in my high school who hadn't had sex by the time they ...
It doesn't send the message to go out and have sex. It sends this message:
"We know you're doing this. Please be safe."
I was one of a handful of girls in my high school who hadn't had sex by the time they graduated. As a matter of fact, amongst my friends (excluding me), you could count them on one hand and still have fingers left to pick your nose (both nostrils simultaneously). It's naive to think that limited access to condoms stops ANY teenager from having sex. They don't make a show called TEEN MOM because it's an unusual phenomena.
"We know you're doing this. Please be safe."
I was one of a handful of girls in my high school who hadn't had sex by the time they graduated. As a matter of fact, amongst my friends (excluding me), you could count them on one hand and still have fingers left to pick your nose (both nostrils simultaneously). It's naive to think that limited access to condoms stops ANY teenager from having sex. They don't make a show called TEEN MOM because it's an unusual phenomena.
10/19/2011
Quote:
I've never seen the show, but my daughters seem to hate it. Do they glorify teen pregnancy? I would hate anything to encourage young girls to get pregnant. Since my own teen age years, in a working class neighborhood, with many teen pregnancies, to watching my daughters friends get pregnant one after the other, I have seen little other than sadness and ruin from this phenomenon.
Originally posted by
Stormy
Ugh, not to hijack this thread but Teen Mom is seriously starting to piss me off. What started out as something with good intentions has quickly gone downhill. Each episode gets closer to glorifying teen pregnancy. There's no disclaimer anywhere
...
Ugh, not to hijack this thread but Teen Mom is seriously starting to piss me off. What started out as something with good intentions has quickly gone downhill. Each episode gets closer to glorifying teen pregnancy. There's no disclaimer anywhere that says these girls are being paid by the show and that's why they're successful in keeping a roof over their kid's head and food in their stomachs. I mean, I'm glad it worked out for everyone but those girls aren't in "reality", they're in a reality show. Most teen girls don't have that kind of support when they tell mom and dad they're knocked up at fifteen.
There are rare occasions when the baby-daddy sticks around to help, but most don't and the girl is basically either left alone to raise her child on Public Aid, or dump the kid and all his needs on her parents. I would say many of these parents deserve to have their "empty nest" time interrupted by having to raise an other child, or children, but it isn't fair for so many of the babies born to these children.
A few that I have known are VERY good mothers. But, so many get tired of the baby, run off, or just get pregnant again and then leave the kids with their mother. One family on our block had BOTH of their teen girls pregnant at the same time. Yeah, not allowing them to celebrate Halloween, watch The Simpsons or MTV and force them to listen to "Abstinence Only" sermons and wear a Promise Ring (the "I promise not to have sex until I'm married" kind) worked out SOOOOO well for these families. (again with heavy sarcasm)
The teen years should be for education and for having fun, not for raising children. Is doesn't work out for the girls, their babies or the parents, who usually could have at least tried to educate their children about birth control.
10/19/2011
I think it's common sense that if we educate our children that this education should be available to them whether they are making informed decisions or crazy hormone driven decisions. We do have the responsibility to protect our children.
That being said I really don't want to see them in bathroom dispensers in middle school - high school seems young enough even though the reality is probably there in middle school as well.
I'll never forget going to the health clinic to get some free condoms and discovering my aunt worked there...I never went back. Getting them in school would have been an advantage.
That being said I really don't want to see them in bathroom dispensers in middle school - high school seems young enough even though the reality is probably there in middle school as well.
I'll never forget going to the health clinic to get some free condoms and discovering my aunt worked there...I never went back. Getting them in school would have been an advantage.
10/19/2011
Quote:
That's kind of my point. It's not an unusual occurrence for teens to get pregnant and it's so common, in fact, that reality shows are focusing on them. And yes, they're paid HEFTILY for their participation. Just look at JK+8 (vomit). He had an IT job (I think) and she was a part time nurse, but they moved into a giant house? Ummm, very unlikely without TLC's backing.
Originally posted by
Stormy
Ugh, not to hijack this thread but Teen Mom is seriously starting to piss me off. What started out as something with good intentions has quickly gone downhill. Each episode gets closer to glorifying teen pregnancy. There's no disclaimer anywhere
...
Ugh, not to hijack this thread but Teen Mom is seriously starting to piss me off. What started out as something with good intentions has quickly gone downhill. Each episode gets closer to glorifying teen pregnancy. There's no disclaimer anywhere that says these girls are being paid by the show and that's why they're successful in keeping a roof over their kid's head and food in their stomachs. I mean, I'm glad it worked out for everyone but those girls aren't in "reality", they're in a reality show. Most teen girls don't have that kind of support when they tell mom and dad they're knocked up at fifteen.
It's been many-a-year since I've watched reality TV (as made evident by the dating of my references). It always gives a false perception of reality.
10/19/2011
Quote:
It glorifies it in a way that makes it seem like everything is going to be okay no matter what. Their parents eventually back their decisions and show support by taking the kid when she has to go to school or work or whatever.
Originally posted by
P'Gell
I've never seen the show, but my daughters seem to hate it. Do they glorify teen pregnancy? I would hate anything to encourage young girls to get pregnant. Since my own teen age years, in a working class neighborhood, with many teen pregnancies,
...
I've never seen the show, but my daughters seem to hate it. Do they glorify teen pregnancy? I would hate anything to encourage young girls to get pregnant. Since my own teen age years, in a working class neighborhood, with many teen pregnancies, to watching my daughters friends get pregnant one after the other, I have seen little other than sadness and ruin from this phenomenon.
There are rare occasions when the baby-daddy sticks around to help, but most don't and the girl is basically either left alone to raise her child on Public Aid, or dump the kid and all his needs on her parents. I would say many of these parents deserve to have their "empty nest" time interrupted by having to raise an other child, or children, but it isn't fair for so many of the babies born to these children.
A few that I have known are VERY good mothers. But, so many get tired of the baby, run off, or just get pregnant again and then leave the kids with their mother. One family on our block had BOTH of their teen girls pregnant at the same time. Yeah, not allowing them to celebrate Halloween, watch The Simpsons or MTV and force them to listen to "Abstinence Only" sermons and wear a Promise Ring (the "I promise not to have sex until I'm married" kind) worked out SOOOOO well for these families. (again with heavy sarcasm)
The teen years should be for education and for having fun, not for raising children. Is doesn't work out for the girls, their babies or the parents, who usually could have at least tried to educate their children about birth control.
There are rare occasions when the baby-daddy sticks around to help, but most don't and the girl is basically either left alone to raise her child on Public Aid, or dump the kid and all his needs on her parents. I would say many of these parents deserve to have their "empty nest" time interrupted by having to raise an other child, or children, but it isn't fair for so many of the babies born to these children.
A few that I have known are VERY good mothers. But, so many get tired of the baby, run off, or just get pregnant again and then leave the kids with their mother. One family on our block had BOTH of their teen girls pregnant at the same time. Yeah, not allowing them to celebrate Halloween, watch The Simpsons or MTV and force them to listen to "Abstinence Only" sermons and wear a Promise Ring (the "I promise not to have sex until I'm married" kind) worked out SOOOOO well for these families. (again with heavy sarcasm)
The teen years should be for education and for having fun, not for raising children. Is doesn't work out for the girls, their babies or the parents, who usually could have at least tried to educate their children about birth control.
One girl was able to move from one city to another then back home then back to another city to be with her new boyfriend and she didn't seem to have a care in the world, financially speaking. Nowhere in any of it does it state how much the show is bankrolling their endeavors and none of them have had to go on government assistance for any reason. That's just not real life.
Real, pregnant teenagers don't have $5,000 a month in income to support their kid and most pregnant teenagers don't have the support of their family and friends, but when it comes to Teen Mom everyone gathers 'round and smiles for the cameras.
10/19/2011
I first had sex w/o condoms as a teen and I just consider myself damn lucky not to have gotten pregnant. As others have said, availability of birth control does not necessarily increase teenage sex but hopefully makes teens responsible.
To deny birth control just does not stop teenage sex.
To deny birth control just does not stop teenage sex.
10/19/2011
i know that´s it´s very safe ,, but it´s like telling kids to go have sex with everyone in school ,, i think if you need to teach a teen how to have safe sex it´s by telling them the bad and good things about it ,, and what they should do to not receive std´s if they want to do these activities that it´s fine they can find the condoms at there local store ,,, but if other people think that´s good ,, that´s well respect everyone has their own point of views and that is great hi everyone ,, hoping you have an awesome day
10/19/2011
Quote:
Wow! That's pretty awesome!
Originally posted by
AngelvMaynard
When I was in Paris working, there were condom machines on street corners. Not in "seedy" parts of town, they were all over just like a newspaper dispenser. It was awesome. You would see people stroll up and get one and walk off. No one
...
When I was in Paris working, there were condom machines on street corners. Not in "seedy" parts of town, they were all over just like a newspaper dispenser. It was awesome. You would see people stroll up and get one and walk off. No one pointed and stared or acted like it was a big deal.
Man, it's crazy to see how far behind the US is in being open-minded about something as natural as sex. It's part of our nature and yet US Society just shuns it like it's something to be ashamed of!
10/19/2011