Maine middle school to offer birth control

[John Atkinson]

This is plumb crazy

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- After an outbreak of pregnancies among middle school girls, education officials in this city have decided to allow a school health center to make birth control pills available to girls as young as 11.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/10/18/middleschool.contraception.ap/index.html

[Abigail4476]

What makes it sad, Bro. A., is that first of all, there are probably 6th grade girls that have gotten pregnant, prompting the idea for birth control at this young age, and secondly, there are parents (presumably) who would sign the consent form to make it possible. (For their 6th grade daughter to receive the pill)

What bothers me the most, is that no one seems to care what ill health effects these girls may suffer, being put on the pill at such a young age. My goodness, adult women have countless side effects, how will it affect adolescent and in some cases, prepubescent girls?

[BrotherEastman]

We need to quit feeding our kids the stuff with lots of hormones in it.

[holinessrox]

Oh sure they can forbid praying to GOD in public schools YET dole out contraceptives, :grumble: (so to speak) :mad:

Saddest of all is that girls that young are being "pressured" to give up their most priceless gift of all, to some male who may no doubt consider each little girl, just one more conquest. :eek:
The emotional ramifications are high on this list of spiritual ills here..my GOD is that the only reason children are even sent to public schools now? :shrug: {just venting not really a question}
Aside from being introduced to drugs as well? :eek:
.. to be fair, all of this applies to both genders., I see that not only has not much changed from when I was in high school ( or younger these days ) but its gotten far worse., and I didn't think it could. :grumble:

Dear LORD come quickly. :bow:

[tufluv]

GIT A ROPE!!! :redcool:!

[Selah]

Oh sure they can forbid praying to GOD in public schools YET dole out contraceptives, (so to speak)
Saddest of all is that girls that young are being "pressured" to give up their most priceless gift of all, to some male who may no doubt consider each little girl, just one more conquest.
The emotional ramifications are high on this list of spiritual ills here....

I completely agree. This really bothers me about the culture of society today. And one more reason my (future) children absolutley won't ever be in a public school, whatever sacrifice it takes when it comes time.

However, I really have to disagree with some and say that since the situation is what it is and there are middle schoolers getting pregnant, (as sad as that it is) it really only makes sense to do something consistent with the reality of that to stop it. If they are going to be having sex, better they not get pregnant too. The only answer secular education and secular society has is birth control. So that is all that is possible in public education in my mind. There is a limited ability to have and explore any other solutions to a problem.
Promoting Godly living for those without Jesus, does no good whatsoever. (Meaning denying them birth control, doesn't mean they won't be having sex anyway) Unless they have a reason to do different and be different, they won't and we can't expect it. People will only do better if they know better, and lets face it you can't preach Jesus and godly living in the public school system, unfortunatley. I liken it to the concept of "holiness on the inside, working on the outside". You have to have holiness on the inside first, though.
1 Corinthians 2:14
'But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.' (King James)
(or NASB) 'But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.'
I picked those scriptures in that context becuase I sort of see it as a holiness issue. JMHO.
In public schools you can't promote anything life changing, the only thing that could realistically be promoted there is nothing. Which does little good either way. So that leaves only stop gap measures...which is what they are doing. The only answer in my mind is to let them have there band-aids and stop gaps (it's crueler not to) and then to those whose homes choose to follow the Lord should have theirs. Seperation. The way to change the world for the better and point them towards the One who does the real changing, isn't to get more upset over stuff like this like it can be easy to do! I think the best thing to do is step back and away and show them in the way we conduct ourselves personally in everyway that following godliness is better! (i.e be a witness, and pray that leads to heart change on an individual level)

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua)

I think one thing that really strikes me about all this and is the political educational issue of vouchers! My church has it's own little school and although it's pretty reasonably tutitionwise by comparision; I still think people who believe it's their responsiblity to raise their kids away from all that junk from society should'nt have to be unduly burdened financially. That would be something that should definatley be a great debate. :) For me personally, if it comes down to it, when it's my family's time...and it's no choice other than to make sacrifices, whatever it takes, we will do so, homeschooling, church school, second job/ no job at all whatever....I'll do it. I do hope though that by then vouchers might be around as option though!
I would like to point out, I am not pointing this whole thing to anyone in particular and arguing against their viewpoint. I just found it relevant, and decided to post. I definatley respect anyone who thinks differently than I do. This is something that strikes me sometimes in general as a concept, that it does no good to try to get people who aren't following God to act like those who do.... (not just when it middle schoolers having sex...as sad as that may be) When things like "culture wars" come up in discussions, sometimes it seems so useless to me to get riled up about a new issue, when the world is going to be the world. Without a heart change, then we can expect the possibility and likelyhood of the worst everytime I think! I thought I'd offer my viewpoint and take on that. My two cents for what it's worth. :)

[Selah]

I also wanted to add one more thing, on why I mentioned vouchers on the end of my post. I do believe whole heartedly in being a witness to the world and conducting ourselves that way and allowing that to be the way to change in people's lives. You have to be engaged in the world to a degree to be a witness. But I think with most young kids that it is simply dangerous to allow them to develop in the their formative years in such an enviroment. As you grow older I think one learns to balance the principal of seperation with engagment in the world.
I have a far different view on children and the protections that we should provide for them ideally. But unfortunatley, secular society just doesn't do that.

[Abigail4476]

However, I really have to disagree with some and say that since the situation is what it is and there are middle schoolers getting pregnant, (as sad as that it is) it really only makes sense to do something consistent with the reality of that to stop it. If they are going to be having sex, better they not get pregnant too.

I wasn't saying that in my post, Selah. I was simply suggesting that if there weren't 6th graders getting pregnant, it probably wouldn't have occurred to anyone, including the public school system, to put middle schoolers on the pill. I'm certainly not endorsing their actions; just calling attention to a sad reality--that SIXTH GRADE GIRLS are having sex. We're talking about girls my daughter's age. (11-12)

Obviously there are parents who are signing the necessary forms allowing their daughters to be given the pill, so I have to question their sanity as well...but yet again, you have parents who either don't care one way or the other, or who are thinking about the possible social, emotional and physical ramifications of a pregnant 12 year old in their home and community.

*sigh*

It's simply sad, and that's all there is to it.

As for vouchers...I like the idea...on the surface...however, you must be aware that anything the government is doling out money for is going to be something the government has a hand in, and they will most likely want or need to regulate where that money is going, and personally...I see it as a potential danger to independent home schooling and private education. It's a trojan horse for government control, IMO.

[Selah]

I'm just about to hit the sack, so I can answer this in more depth tommorrow. But just to clarify, I wasn't reffering to you or anyone. :) Otherwise I would have clarified that and put it more diplomatically in that case.
I wasn't saying that in my post, Selah. I was simply suggesting that if there weren't 6th graders getting pregnant, it probably wouldn't have occurred to anyone, including the public school system, to put middle schoolers on the pill. I'm certainly not endorsing their actions; just calling attention to a sad reality--that SIXTH GRADE GIRLS are having sex. We're talking about girls my daughter's age. (11-12)


We are in agreement.

Obviously there are parents who are signing the necessary forms allowing their daughters to be given the pill, so I have to question their sanity as well...but yet again, you have parents who either don't care one way or the other, or who are thinking about the possible social, emotional and physical ramifications of a pregnant 12 year old in their home and community.

*sigh*

It's simply sad, and that's all there is to it.



Yeah, I didn't really get into that part there on the issue of them signing it or not...but I am in agreement with you on that. I am for the record very bothered by it, but being bothered by it doesn't change it. (I'm not directing my argument at anyone specifically here) I figure in general it is better that children that age in addition to whatever else they are doing are not pregnant on top of all that. I personally don't think most parents would be able to stop the inevitable in their children or being exposed to that to a degree without some serious intervention the world as it it is today. The only intervention measure I can see which is in my view- taking the kids completely out of public school altogether and changing their atmosphere. That is my personal opinion some good people may see it differently. I know some people who went to public school are are wonderful christians and have much of the values their parents tried to instill. I still feel the risks outweigh that. I will be able to address this better tommorrow and more coherently when I'm not so tired. Sorry! But I think that sometimes I've noticed that some people (again noone in particular! :) I am actually thinking more people like my coworkers when I formulating my response here) seem to think that doling or not doling out birth control controls sexual activity, I'd argue that it doesn't have much of an effect either way. Nothing scientific, just my personal experiance from my first hand account of people I knew in public school. I graduated fairly recently, as have many people I know. So I remember it and the people I met there well...JMHO.
(Alot of what I am discussing is slightly different for christians and apostolic christians versus those who aren't. Two different but parallel arguments here. Again sorry if I stopped making sense in this posting! I am starting to fall asleep. For those that need it, I can clarify it tommorrow night. I hope I am not offending anyone! )

[Selah]

As for vouchers...I like the idea...on the surface...however, you must be aware that anything the government is doling out money for is going to be something the government has a hand in, and they will most likely want or need to regulate where that money is going, and personally...I see it as a potential danger to independent home schooling and private education. It's a trojan horse for government control, IMO.
Yes, that is a good point. This is unexplored territory for me admittedly. I really love the theory but I haven't delved into the details of it. As I have not yet crossed that bridge in my life of having children at this point. I can see where you are going with the possibility of the government dictating curriculum...and you're right, that is not a good thing. It's worth considering if their are alternative solutions to the voucher issue beyond more government control...but given what you've raised on the issue, I'd have to concede you are right on homeschooling and it being a possible trojan horse.
I think there could be more of an alternative possibility with private education and vouchers without more government control but the likelyhood of it being implemented without extensive government control...is probally not realistic. :( I don't have much faith in the government not trying to control something where there is money at stake...

My point stands as is for the most part, but I would have to concede my thoughts on the vouchers as a conclusion. I would say the best thing to do would make it as much of a priority as one could to stay far away from the public school system...and homeschool or private school....etc...Although honestly upon reflection, I also have come to a bit of revelation about what is really realistically affordable to people and what isn't and I suppose with the economy and world as it is...people simply often can't afford to stay away....:( I pray I will be able to, god-willing, be blessed enough to avoid it for my kids....but I would be very blessed to be able to do so....

I have to agree it is heartbreaking, this is the reality of what children have to deal with today....

[ddc101]

My husband read this aloud to me yesterday on the net.Its insane.No one is giving my ten year old BC pills or trying to infringe on my parental rights.Elected officials can be not elected the next year.Bunch of nuts.

[Selah]

My husband read this aloud to me yesterday on the net.Its insane.No one is giving my ten year old BC pills or trying to infringe on my parental rights.Elected officials can be not elected the next year.Bunch of nuts.


I think public school tries to do the parenting instead of the parents, which is alot of the problem.

[ChristopherHall]

Here's my opinion. It's only an opinion and I could be wrong.

I think the problem is that the public schools are being put in a position to do "something" because so many American parents are doing "nothing". They think it's the government's responsibility to raise their kids and teach them morality. Parents put off talking about sex, parents allow little Susie to hang out with whoever she likes, they back down when she wants to go on a date with a boy they barely know, they allow television to teach their kids that "everyone is doing it".

I put the entire blame on the parents. The schools are only reacting to the problem parents are allowing to take place. It's easy to make the public schools a scape goat. But frankly, I don't think it's the school system's job to teach our kids anything but reading, writing, and arithmetic. In today's diversified culture I don't trust a single public school teacher to teach my kid religion or values. God only knows what these liberal, Muslim, Hindu, teachers would teach our kids if they pushed religion in schools.

Think about it...imagine that you're a public school teacher trying to teach and the kids you're trying to teach aren't disciplined at home enough to sit still and listen, they back talk you, they're sarcastic, play mind games, and are just unmanageable. Then you have a bunch of girls getting pregnant. So the school board in exacerbation decides to start offering the pill to at least quell the rising pregnancy rates. Then to your absolute disbelief the parents agree and sign permission! And to make matters worse...it seems like all the Christians you know are grumbling "public school this" this and "public school that."

It's not the schools job to raise kids. It's the schools job to educate the kids parents are raising.

I honestly believe all the responsibility rests upon the parents. Even the Bible teaches that raising kids and teaching them morals and religious values are a parent's responsibility. The responsibility isn't the villages', tribe's, the government's, or the school's responsibility. It primarily rests upon the parents.

If parents aren't parenting...the schools are destined to fail.

Them's my thoughts. Love yall.

[g_moses]

I agree with CH. The ONLY other option in this case would be to have gender specific schools. That won't happen. I wouldn't even want it to happen.

From a school perspective, their only function is to provide an education. If pregnancy is impeding education, they react to it and continue to educate. Separation of church and state was an easy call for them on this issue.

[meagain]

I agree with CH. The ONLY other option in this case would be to have gender specific schools. That won't happen. I wouldn't even want it to happen.

From a school perspective, their only function is to provide an education. If pregnancy is impeding education, they react to it and continue to educate. Separation of church and state was an easy call for them on this issue.

I think gender segregated schools (along with a uniform policy) just might be a good idea. It may not work very well, but I wouldn't be opposed to trying it out anyway.
My children pray over there meals in the school cafeteria, or quietly before a test. No one says a thing about it. They aren't imposing their own belief system on anybody else, or interfering with anyone's learning environment. Therefore, there is no problem. Personally, I DO have a problem with the idea of a school imposed prayer led by the teachers. Not that I have a problem with prayer, but it is not the govt. schools job to teach my children to pray, or to teach any kind of spirituality. It is simply out of their place.

About the birth control. I think it will cause more damage than good. Just like in having a school sponsored prayer, this is dealing with a moral issue and is quite out of the schools place to perform. On top of that, if these young girls are so irresponsible as to have sex at that age, then it is safe to assume that they will not be responsible in taking their pill on a regular basis. I have a fifteen year old cousin who is five months pregnant, even though she took the pill. Why is she pregnant, you ask? Because she did not take them regularly like she was supposed to. She would take them for several days, then skip a day or two. When her mother asked her about why she did it, she said she thought the pill would protect her no matter what.
Handing out pills to young girls clearly gives them a false sense of security. Besides, at that age a girl doesn't think it will ever happen to her anyway. She just cannot IMAGINE herself as a mother. I got pregnant at twenty and had a hard concept myself with the idea of motherhood. They might have sex anyway, but if it is left in their hands to keep from getting pregnant, then they are also going to have babies anyway! :icon_craz