Should parents be allowed to opt out of their child receiving condoms?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which would you rather your child have-- a condom or a baby? Or a condom or an STI?

I'd prefer my child have self control. It's not hard.

Ummm it’s actually really hard. Were you ever a teen????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which would you rather your child have-- a condom or a baby? Or a condom or an STI?

I am teaching my kids that there are other impacts of sex outside of getting pregnant or a STD that a condom or any kind of birth control can't stop. Whether we like to admit it or not, sex is an emotional tie. I would not want the school to give my kids condoms.

Do you think that it would induce your kids to disregard your teaching?

Crickets.

Different poster, it I prefer that schools not normalize teenagecsex by proactively distributing conforms. Available from the nurse is fin by me, but more than that is going to far by the state into my rights to parent.

Normalize teenage sex? You don't have a lot of awareness of history. Teenagers have been going at it despite, in many cases, terrible repercussions, for aeons.

By definition, teenage sex is normal. I think the stats on those that are 20 and never been sexually active are really low. Its normal to have sex in early adulthood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which would you rather your child have-- a condom or a baby? Or a condom or an STI?

I am teaching my kids that there are other impacts of sex outside of getting pregnant or a STD that a condom or any kind of birth control can't stop. Whether we like to admit it or not, sex is an emotional tie. I would not want the school to give my kids condoms.

Do you think that it would induce your kids to disregard your teaching?

Crickets.

Different poster, it I prefer that schools not normalize teenagecsex by proactively distributing conforms. Available from the nurse is fin by me, but more than that is going to far by the state into my rights to parent.

Teenagers themselves have normalized sex. The average age Americans lose their virginity is 17.1yrs old. Only 12% of the female population and 14% of the male population are still virgins at age 20. For a teenager to still be a virgin is what is abnormal. And guess ehat kids are doing long before penetration? Oral, hand jobs, and everything else in between.

Im sorry, but you are an absolute idiot and fool if you dont think that teenagers should have easy access to birth control and protection from STDs. Thats like puttung your teen behind the wheel of a car and hiding the seatbelts. Absolute stupidity.

[Anonymous]

One of my adult sons went to the health department and got them when he was 16. He felt more comfortable doing that than asking the nurse. The other two waited to have sex until they were adults and bought their own. My oldest is almost 26, and has a baby on the way, although it's too early to tell what they're having. The other two have no interest in having children yet so they make sure that they practice safe sex. I taught them to wait until they are financially stable before having children, and they listened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which would you rather your child have-- a condom or a baby? Or a condom or an STI?

I am teaching my kids that there are other impacts of sex outside of getting pregnant or a STD that a condom or any kind of birth control can't stop. Whether we like to admit it or not, sex is an emotional tie. I would not want the school to give my kids condoms.

Do you think that it would induce your kids to disregard your teaching?

Crickets.

Different poster, it I prefer that schools not normalize teenagecsex by proactively distributing conforms. Available from the nurse is fin by me, but more than that is going to far by the state into my rights to parent.

Teenagers themselves have normalized sex. The average age Americans lose their virginity is 17.1yrs old. Only 12% of the female population and 14% of the male population are still virgins at age 20. For a teenager to still be a virgin is what is abnormal. And guess ehat kids are doing long before penetration? Oral, hand jobs, and everything else in between.

Im sorry, but you are an absolute idiot and fool if you dont think that teenagers should have easy access to birth control and protection from STDs. Thats like puttung your teen behind the wheel of a car and hiding the seatbelts. Absolute stupidity.

This is the kind of messaging that I think is harmful. Over half of high schoolers graduate as virgins. The idea that everyone is doing it and if you aren't your abnormal or to a teen (abnormal = pathetic loser) is just wrong. There is nothing abnormal about not being sexually active in high school, everyone isn't doing it, and putting pressure on kids that either you have sex or you aren't normal is just wrong. I think this is the other end of the swing from abstinence education. The numbers don't support the you are only normal if you have sex early. Lots of kids either due to personal values, not being ready, lack of opportunity or any number of reasons are not sexually active and we should be emphasizing how normal that is too and no, not everyone needs a condominium in their pocket at all times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which would you rather your child have-- a condom or a baby? Or a condom or an STI?

I am teaching my kids that there are other impacts of sex outside of getting pregnant or a STD that a condom or any kind of birth control can't stop. Whether we like to admit it or not, sex is an emotional tie. I would not want the school to give my kids condoms.

Do you think that it would induce your kids to disregard your teaching?

Crickets.

Different poster, it I prefer that schools not normalize teenagecsex by proactively distributing conforms. Available from the nurse is fin by me, but more than that is going to far by the state into my rights to parent.

Teenagers themselves have normalized sex. The average age Americans lose their virginity is 17.1yrs old. Only 12% of the female population and 14% of the male population are still virgins at age 20. For a teenager to still be a virgin is what is abnormal. And guess ehat kids are doing long before penetration? Oral, hand jobs, and everything else in between.

Im sorry, but you are an absolute idiot and fool if you dont think that teenagers should have easy access to birth control and protection from STDs. Thats like puttung your teen behind the wheel of a car and hiding the seatbelts. Absolute stupidity.

This is the kind of messaging that I think is harmful. Over half of high schoolers graduate as virgins. The idea that everyone is doing it and if you aren't your abnormal or to a teen (abnormal = pathetic loser) is just wrong. There is nothing abnormal about not being sexually active in high school, everyone isn't doing it, and putting pressure on kids that either you have sex or you aren't normal is just wrong. I think this is the other end of the swing from abstinence education. The numbers don't support the you are only normal if you have sex early. Lots of kids either due to personal values, not being ready, lack of opportunity or any number of reasons are not sexually active and we should be emphasizing how normal that is too and no, not everyone needs a condominium in their pocket at all times.

Haha.

Citation for "more than half graduate virgins"??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This is the kind of messaging that I think is harmful. Over half of high schoolers graduate as virgins. The idea that everyone is doing it and if you aren't your abnormal or to a teen (abnormal = pathetic loser) is just wrong. There is nothing abnormal about not being sexually active in high school, everyone isn't doing it, and putting pressure on kids that either you have sex or you aren't normal is just wrong. I think this is the other end of the swing from abstinence education. The numbers don't support the you are only normal if you have sex early. Lots of kids either due to personal values, not being ready, lack of opportunity or any number of reasons are not sexually active and we should be emphasizing how normal that is too and no, not everyone needs a condominium in their pocket at all times.

Certainly not everyone needs a condominium in their pocket at all times. But I don't see the harm in making sure that people can get condominiums. I also don't think it's prudent for parents to prevent their teenagers from getting condominiums, as OP seems to be suggesting (although OP still hasn't come back to explain specifically what OP wants to opt their child out of).

[Anonymous]

You don't have to expect that your teen will have sex or want to encourage it but it helps to be prepared. It's fine to say "I'll hope she'll or he'll wait" but in the moment sometimes it happens. Why would you not want them to have that safety mechanism (albeit imperfect)? Why would you not speak to your kids about it and why they are allowed to have them? What is wrong with some of you people?

[Anonymous]

You shouldn't have the drinking and driving conversation with them either. And you definitely shouldn't tell them to call you if a friend has been drinking and they need a ride. That's just encouraging them to think it's ok and normal for teens to drink.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This is the kind of messaging that I think is harmful. Over half of high schoolers graduate as virgins. The idea that everyone is doing it and if you aren't your abnormal or to a teen (abnormal = pathetic loser) is just wrong. There is nothing abnormal about not being sexually active in high school, everyone isn't doing it, and putting pressure on kids that either you have sex or you aren't normal is just wrong. I think this is the other end of the swing from abstinence education. The numbers don't support the you are only normal if you have sex early. Lots of kids either due to personal values, not being ready, lack of opportunity or any number of reasons are not sexually active and we should be emphasizing how normal that is too and no, not everyone needs a condominium in their pocket at all times.

Certainly not everyone needs a condominium in their pocket at all times. But I don't see the harm in making sure that people can get condominiums. I also don't think it's prudent for parents to prevent their teenagers from getting condominiums, as OP seems to be suggesting (although OP still hasn't come back to explain specifically what OP wants to opt their child out of).

I think we should prevent anyone of any age from putting a condominium in their pocket, though. I definitely want to opt my whole family out of having to carry such a heavy burden in life. Plus, I doubt many teenagers can afford a condominium. However, if school nurses are handing them out for free and they can stay on their foundations instead of go into pockets, I would encourage my teen to take advantage and become a condominium tycoon in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So none of you had sex in high school?

High school boys were cretins when I was in high school. Have they changed that much? Of my group of girlfriends, only one had sex before we graduated and she was into sexual acts with boys very early. As it turns out, she came out when we were in college and the early promiscuity was an attempt to prove to herself and everyone around her that she was "normal" and like everyone else and liked boys. Per her own description of what she was thinking at the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which would you rather your child have-- a condom or a baby? Or a condom or an STI?

I am teaching my kids that there are other impacts of sex outside of getting pregnant or a STD that a condom or any kind of birth control can't stop. Whether we like to admit it or not, sex is an emotional tie. I would not want the school to give my kids condoms.

Do you think that it would induce your kids to disregard your teaching?

This. Plus, other parents don't think the same way as you about the emotional tie so why should easy access to condoms be changed because of your feelings?

The question OP asked was should parents be able to opt out of schools giving their children condoms. My answer is yes I would opt out, not because I think that would be the deciding factor of whether my child has sex or not. I don't want to send the message that I think it is okay to have sex at this age to my children.

Many of the responses I see on this thread ignore that there are other possible negative impacts of sex at a young age beyond getting pregnant or an STD. That is why I responded about the emotional tie. I realize other people feel differently and while I think as a whole we shouldn't be handing out condoms at schools, I said would opt out not that others have to opt out as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Children are independent human beings, not possessions of their parents. Parents have responsibility but not total control. I do not think parents should be able to opt out of teens accessing condoms.

Where does this reasoning end? What are things you think parents should have control of their children having access to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which would you rather your child have-- a condom or a baby? Or a condom or an STI?

I am teaching my kids that there are other impacts of sex outside of getting pregnant or a STD that a condom or any kind of birth control can't stop. Whether we like to admit it or not, sex is an emotional tie. I would not want the school to give my kids condoms.

Do you think that it would induce your kids to disregard your teaching?

Crickets.

Different poster, it I prefer that schools not normalize teenagecsex by proactively distributing conforms. Available from the nurse is fin by me, but more than that is going to far by the state into my rights to parent.

Teenagers themselves have normalized sex. The average age Americans lose their virginity is 17.1yrs old. Only 12% of the female population and 14% of the male population are still virgins at age 20. For a teenager to still be a virgin is what is abnormal. And guess ehat kids are doing long before penetration? Oral, hand jobs, and everything else in between.

Im sorry, but you are an absolute idiot and fool if you dont think that teenagers should have easy access to birth control and protection from STDs. Thats like puttung your teen behind the wheel of a car and hiding the seatbelts. Absolute stupidity.

This is the kind of messaging that I think is harmful. Over half of high schoolers graduate as virgins. The idea that everyone is doing it and if you aren't your abnormal or to a teen (abnormal = pathetic loser) is just wrong. There is nothing abnormal about not being sexually active in high school, everyone isn't doing it, and putting pressure on kids that either you have sex or you aren't normal is just wrong. I think this is the other end of the swing from abstinence education. The numbers don't support the you are only normal if you have sex early. Lots of kids either due to personal values, not being ready, lack of opportunity or any number of reasons are not sexually active and we should be emphasizing how normal that is too and no, not everyone needs a condominium in their pocket at all times.

My info is from the CDC. Where are you getting your info?

Nobody is saying virgins are losers. What many of us are saying is that we choose to live in a concious state of reality. I teach the 8th grade and when I was in 8th grade, NOBODY and I mean NOBODY was having oral sex. Now kids talk about it like it's normal. Just last week, a girl,in a "race you to the castle tank top (clearly purchased at disney by her parents probably) was giggling about how a boy had motorboated her. Times have changed.

[Anonymous]

OP still hasn't clarified how her child is "receiving" these condoms. Are teachers and school officials stuffing condoms into students' pockets? That would be inappropriate and a waste of time. Or are condoms available in the nurse's office? If that's the case, her child is not receiving condoms. Condoms are simply available to the students.