How young were you when you started having sex? San Francisco, California, fears that young children may actually be thinking of already doing the deed. Surprisingly, they are now handing out condoms to middle schoolers -- kids between ages 11 and 14.
Predictably, parents are furious about it, with many of them saying that the school board members are sending the wrong message: that it is okay to have sex at such a young age. Still, CBS News noted that the San Francisco Unified School Board voted on the issue unanimously, which is why schools can now distribute contraception to middle schoolers if they seek a consultation with the school nurse.
The kids would have access to condoms even without their parents consent, and this does not sit too well with them. One parent demanded, "We have to sign a consent form for them to go on a field trip, but we don't need to know if they're getting a condom?" Another noted, "We're talking about between 11 and 14 years old. And they are not ready for it, so I don't think this is appropriate."
Advocates who agree with the school board did point out though that kids are becoming sexually active whether their parents know it or not, and distributing condoms is a preventative measure. A teacher explained, "We don't see the kind of sexualized images and videos that our children are exposed to. And these kids are starting younger and younger every single day."
This issue is something between a rock and a hard place for parents who want what's best for their children. On one hand, no parent would want their child to have sex too early, and handing out condoms to middle schoolers might send them the wrong message. However, if these kids are in fact doing it, safe sex is the only thing that a parent could ask for.
What do you think of this school board's decision about giving pre-teens access to contraceptives? Hit the comment box below.
