New school supply: condoms in 1st grade

Tiana - posted on 04/25/2011

Another reason why I'm Pro-Homeschooling!; a school district has no right to educate my FIRST GRADER about ANY TYPE OF SEX! Safe or otherwise! When our baby is born and old enough to even question the "love sounds" Mommy and Daddy make, then we'll discuss love-making and how it's something sacred between Mommy and Daddy...this is condom rule is ridiculous! They need to focus on getting these kids' grades up and preparing them for college, not sex.

Sarah - posted on 04/25/2011

CONDOMS TO CHILDREN??? People wonder nowadays why there are so many pedophiles and child molesters out there, and this is one example of why. I think up until high school, sex should be kept out of schools, even sex ed.... before that the parents should explain everything. But this is a whole new level! Seriosuly considering homeschooling when my daughter gets older!!!

Michelle - posted on 07/22/2010

Just can't believe what this world is coming to! What happened to just letting kids be kids for a few years? What happened to parents being responsible for talking to their children about sex? You can call me a hill billy, hick or whatever, but I thank God that I get to raise my children out in the country! Our teachers and administrators still have some common sense!

Jaime - posted on 07/20/2010

Then you should have nothing to worry about Gena. I don't think the schools are trying to take rights away from parents, they're trying to respect the right of all students to receive comprehensive sex education AND contraceptive care should they then choose to engage in sexual activities. And schools are most certainly not handing out condoms like candy.

Gena - posted on 07/19/2010

This infuriates me!! Why should my child whom I parent responsibly and educate based on his maturity/mentality have his school decide when he is ready to hear about sex & receive free condoms? When the schools says we have condoms if you need them little first graders and the first graders think should I need them? Is this what I am supposed to be doing? This must be ok because the school is giving out condoms like they are candy!!! And tell me I can't opt out? I will tell you what to kiss and then you can watch me remove my child from your school district. I have no problem talking to my children about sex. I am very open with my kids to the point that is appropriate for their age level.

Jaime - posted on 07/16/2010

I have a sneaking suspicion that the school revised their policy, rather than print a sort of retraction of the previously-understood policy that was highlighted by the media. I see no harm in making condoms available in schools regardless of age...I find it hard to believe that a barrage of first graders is going to march into the nurse's office demanding condoms so that they can have sex on the weekend. I think the school intended to release the information onto the public, wade through the reactions and THEN perhaps revise their policy according to what parents might be willing to compromise on. It's a shame to think that personal fears still motivate a majority of the educational mind-set. I would hope parents that are so vehemently opposed to this policy, will take pro-active sex education seriously and TALK to their children with an open mind to their questions and curiosities...sadly, I very much doubt that will be the case if the policy makers keep masking their agendas for the sake of appeasing the masses.

Lourdes - posted on 07/15/2010

wtf is an elementary school kid gna do with a condom especially 1-7th 8th grade is something entirely different but y supply young children with condoms if they dont even know what sex is

Jaime - posted on 07/15/2010

Brittney, it's all good...I was more responding to the OP and the original news report about children having to ask for them and being given a sex talk. If that has since changed, then so be it. But I still don't think pro-active health care is a bad idea...I don't care how old the kids are.

Melody - posted on 07/15/2010

I think they mean well by offering them to prevent STD's however I think at such a young age is really sad. I also think that parents should be notified if their child asks for them. There should be some type of boundary here!!!

Brittney - posted on 07/15/2010

Jamie, they are NOT available for 1st graders, they are not allowing grade schoolers to be a part of this. Please see my previous post for the link.

LaCi - posted on 07/15/2010

geez. I'm so done here. Fox news has done its job well, people don't even find out what's actually going on they just see the fox news headline and make an irrational judgement. Fuck it.

Michelle - posted on 07/15/2010

what the hell does a grade one know about a condom .im sorry but if thats the case im happy my son is still to small for school,and i will fight the school who suggest that kids at the age of six must have condoms

Jaime - posted on 07/14/2010

No worries Jennifer. In first grade in North America, kids are age 5 and 6...so I would agree that it is extremely young to be having sex, but on the rare occasion it does happen. As Laci said they're not handing out condoms to first graders, they are available for first graders but they have to ask for them and upon asking students are given a sex talk (presumably by the school nurse or a counselor). I like this idea of pro-active health care and pro-active sex education...I think that children shouldn't be afraid to discuss sex and anything to do with sex (hormone surges, masturbation, attraction, orientation, body changes, etc). Sexual intercourse is but one facet of sexuality and as a result of limited education on the subject, it seems to be the most widely used and abused method of sexual pleasure. Kids get stupid when they don't have all the facts or feel like they can't reach out and talk to someone about their problems. Often kids end up pregnant on purpose as a means of creating something to love and be loved by...teen pregnancy is vast and although I have encountered some wonderful teen parents, I think that by sex being heavily incorporated into our education systems, students will learn to respect their bodies and either abstain from activity altogether or be as well protected as possible from std's and pregnancy. Don't get me wrong, the choice to have sex does not mean a person doesn't have respect for their body...but a lot of times kids have sex because they are seeking attention from their parents or it becomes a popularity contest of sorts among the social hierarchies of the school. When I was 14 I had a boyfriend (as much as one can have a boyfriend at that age) and he was very much interested in sex, whereas I was so dreadfully shy about sex and my body I couldn't even say the word let alone actually do it. I don't think either extreme is healthy...promiscuous vs. militantly abstinent of all sexual practices. It comes back to balance. Balance of emotional and mental maturity in combination with bodily maturity. Some kids will have sex younger than others...and if they are prepared and informed they are likely to engage with their best interests in mind.

Jennifer - posted on 07/14/2010

Ah right...I read the original post and didn't read people's replies...ignore me!!! It is 01:08 over here and I can't sleep lol! I thought it was a bit wierd lol!

LaCi - posted on 07/14/2010

they aren't handing them out to first graders.

Jennifer - posted on 07/14/2010

There's nothing wrong with pro-active healthcare but handing condoms to children that young is basically saying go ahead have sex. As far as I knew children as young as that don't have sex so there's no need to be handing them out. But then again as I said in my post I don't know what age children are in 1st grade.

Jaime - posted on 07/14/2010

What exactly is disgusting about pro-active health care?

Jennifer - posted on 07/14/2010

How old are children in first grade?!?! I'm from the UK lol so have no idea lol!

I know over here in the UK advice is given at around 13/14 years of age as to where condoms can be obtained free of charge but as far as I know they aren't given out at schools.

I'm assuming 1st graders are about 5 or 6?!? In that case condoms shouldn't be handed out to children that age...it's disgusting to be perfectly honest. Yes give children information about sex and relationships but age appropriately.

Jaime - posted on 07/13/2010

Pro-active health care...absolutely disgusting, I mean who are these people to take the health and well-being of our children seriously? Douche bags the lot of them!

Meghan - posted on 07/13/2010

or maybe they could teach them how to make balloon animals?

Meghan - posted on 07/13/2010

why??? so it can sit in their wallet for 10 years and become useless??

Meghan - posted on 07/13/2010

Thanks Brittney!

Brittney - posted on 07/13/2010

Before everyone continues to flip out about 1st graders getting condoms upon request read this http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/6880...
when the article was first released the wording was very vague, a few days later they have corrected some of it. I completely agree with children over grade school being given condoms after sex ed and counceling if they request condoms, maybe there wouldn't be as many teen pregnancies.

Nathalie - posted on 07/13/2010

That is beyond sick..I mean 1st grade! Unacceptable

Vicky - posted on 07/12/2010

A few things need to be addressed here.
First off, how are the kids being told about the availability of condoms in school? Do they sit all the kids down and say "if you want to have sex with your 6 year old class mate, please pick up a condom in the office"??? I don't care that they know about sex because they already have some clue about it. However if you sit them down and say "your peers are doing it so heres a condom for you" thats WRONG.
Also if the child asking is under 10 or even 12 I think that raises a red flag that abuse might be present. I Would demand to know if my young daughter is asking for one. However if she is older than 12 I would hope that my parenting would guide her in her choices. (Not that I am ok with the thought of it)
and my last comment is that I knew a few 13 year old girl who were pregnant. It happens even in small quite towns.

Meghan - posted on 07/12/2010

The school isnt going to be passing them out like candy...lol...its only there if the students ask for them and I like what Jess said above
"I don't think any 6 year old would be asking for a condom.... I think it would be different if they were in a fishbowl in the classroom to take as a free for all.

I'm sure its more aimed for the older school students but if you tried to enforce an age.... which one do you pick ?

As for the "Opt Out"..... what kind of parent would want to stop their child from having access to condoms. I mean if they have the guts to go ask a teacher for a condom then they have the guts to go and have sex protected or not. If you stop them accessing a free resource than your just leaving them open to STD'S and unplanned pregnancies. I completely agree with the school ignoring parent's requests."

Stephanie Jo - posted on 07/12/2010

Okay, that is going too far! I am a Christian, what happened to teaching that we dont do that until we are married??? My little girl is going to be in the 1st grade, I would have a fit! My oldest girl is 10 and we just had the talk!!!

Charlene - posted on 07/12/2010

No child at 7-12 should be without some kind of adult supervision and no child at those ages should be hanging around the opposite sex unattended either. There we go problem solved!!

How many children go to school with your kids?

When I was in elementary school, there were 2-3 teachers to watch a couple hundred students at recess. There were plenty of kids, even in the first grade, hiding under the slides, behind a tree, kissing. So unless there's merely a fraction of children at your kids school, how can you be sure that they really are supervised the whole time?
And they are definitely playing with children of the opposite sex unless they go to an all girls/all boys school.

IMO, it's not like they are just willy nilly handing out condoms to everyone. If someone wants one, they need to ask for it.
And I totally disagree that access to condoms promotes the idea that it's okay to have sex at a young age.
If they are asking for them, chances are they are already sexually active.

Amber - posted on 07/12/2010

The point is that SOME children will need this. Nobody is saying that all will, but some will. And as for the school not telling the parents.....do you really think your kid is going to ask for one if they know that you'll be getting a phone call? Nope. They will have sex without it, and then what will happen?
I understand that small towns don't have the same sort of problems, that's why your town doesn't have this rule! But that doesn't mean that bigger cities where these things are more common should just sit back and say "oh it may upset a couple people, let's not do it."
They aren't doing it for the parents, they are doing it to protect the children. If the parents don't like it, they have the option to home school or move to a small town that does not offer condoms.
@ Beverly ~ They aren't teaching children what they don't need to know. They are only addressing children that are asking questions! They aren't sitting down six year olds and telling them what sex is and how to do it. Only the 6 year olds that are showing interest in sex are talked to. And I'm sure that they are discouraged as well as informed. No adult is going to just hand a child a condom and ask no questions.
Children need to be sheltered, but when it's obvious that parents aren't sheltering them they need to be educated. It's sad, but the truth. There are too many bad parents out there. And I don't want my child corrupted by their bad parenting; I would rather him be informed before any of their information gets to him.

LaCi - posted on 07/12/2010

what exactly are everyone else's kids being EXPOSED to when counselors have condoms in their office? this is so freakin' ridiculous.

LaCi - posted on 07/12/2010

yet.

Sherri - posted on 07/12/2010

I will continue to shelter them and no problem our school doesn't teach such things or do such things so no problems here. Sorry the whole population shouldn't be subjected to such things for that ONE student. Evidently our towns parents are doing just fine without the schools interference as we don't have any pregnant teens in our school system. Guess our sheltered kids aren't so bad off after all.

LaCi - posted on 07/12/2010

Then you take responsibility as a parent and further shelter your children and withdraw them from school, because you apparently can't handle the school covering for the slightest possibility that one freakin' kid might have horrible fucking parents who will never guide them, educate them, or help them so they have to turn to the school counselor. that is the ONLY reason this is happening, to protect that ONE student. It hasn't got a damn thing to do with YOUR kid. It's that single, misguided, unaware child in whichever grade level that remains unknown who NEEDS the school as his/her support system

LaCi - posted on 07/12/2010

Shannon, I'm pretty sure the principal at this school eats the fetus when they remove it from the six year old.

Shannon - posted on 07/12/2010

If you want to know the truth about sex education in schools then you must listen to this woman speak. Her name is Carol Everett & she is a former abortion facility owner. She used to "sell" abortion to children/teens through the sex education programs offered in schools.

The only way to actually hear her tell this scary story is to log onto



www.endingabortion.com/event



& listen to the #2 session with her as the 3rd speaker.

Her facts will scare the hell out of you & I promise you will change your mind.

Sherri - posted on 07/12/2010

You are missing the point it is not a schools place to be able to give your child condoms in the first place. They are over stepping boundaries. It is a parents right to decide when to talk to there child about sex and what birth control methods they deem appropriate for there child, not the schools!!

LaCi - posted on 07/12/2010

If you want to handle the sex stuff then raise your children in a manner in which they won't try to sneak condoms behind your back from school counselors. You ARE missing the logic, because I can pretty much guarantee not a single 6 year old is going to go to the school counselor and request condoms for their own personal sexual exploits. The logic has nothing to do with giving condoms to 6 year olds. Secondly, if a child sneaks off to get condoms on their own it's because the parents are obviously NOT handling the sex stuff.

Sherri - posted on 07/12/2010

That would be a huge problem for me as well Sara.

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 07/12/2010

I understand the logic, but I think the parents should be involved more. They won't tell the parent if their child requests one and they won't allow them to opt out if they want to be the ones to handle the sex stuff.

LaCi - posted on 07/12/2010

LOL. alright. we'll see how many girls my son knocks up before he's 18 ,knowing about sexual safety from the age of 3. oh yeah, and I'll be giving him condoms, the school doesn't need to.



I think people are completely insane. seriously. to ever say education is a BAD thing is completely mental.



The entire point of the condom regulations in this school has been COMPLETELY blown out of proportion, I'm pretty sure the people who oppose it don't even understand the logic behind it.

Shannon - posted on 07/12/2010

This is exactly whats going to happen if they allow Sex Ed. in schools, especially starting in kindergarten.. My point exactly with the post I posted about "Sex Ed, in schools"...

Sherri - posted on 07/12/2010

Yes parents work but these kids should be going to some kind of other responsible adults house then or have someone there for them outside of school. I would never leave my kids home by themselves for hours on end when they got out of school and my oldest two are 13 &11. It isn't responsible as an adult on my part. At these ages they need guidance not left to their own devices.

LaCi - posted on 07/12/2010

Parents work, kids are unattended. While I was a respectful kid and did what I was told, never bringing boys into the house when my parents were away, I easily could have.

Sherri - posted on 07/12/2010

Sorry parents should be watching there kids. No child at 7-12 should be without some kind of adult supervision and no child at those ages should be hanging around the opposite sex unattended either. There we go problem solved!!

LaCi - posted on 07/12/2010

I knew a girl who got her period in the second grade, that doesn't equate capability of having children, but yeah.



This is also a good way for adults to KNOW what's going on. If there is a 1st grader asking for condoms and then seeing a counselor it may alert them to some kind of abuse, or allow them to get the appropriate information about sex.



for all we know this first grader who may ask for condoms is being pressure by an older kid down the street.



And the point is to not put an age on the condoms because we don't know at what age someone will start having sex. The point was to go school wide, indiscriminately, not to pass out condoms to a bunch of fucking first graders. Its absolute preparedness, and a safety net for the random child who MAY engage in sexual activity before high school



I live in a small town, we were NOT a bunch of sexually active kids, we were, for the most part, responsible kids. A girl got pregnant in the 6th grade. my friend got pregnant in the 10th grade. That was the extent of our teen pregnancies. Now that I've graduated, a LOT of those kids are pregnant in middle and high school. there is absolutely nothing wrong with educating and preparing, and nothing wrong with doing so indiscriminately so NO CHILD will fall through the cracks and wind up knocked up or diseased because she or he hadn't reached an "appropriate" age to receive information and protection.

April - posted on 07/12/2010

i think it would be different if the area was having a big problem with kids as young as first grade being sexually active. if that is not the case...i think it's inappropriate to hand out condoms at such a young age.

also..at the first grade level, condoms would help prevent STD's but i don't know any first grade girl who has gotten her period already. most first graders are physically incapable of having children at 6 years old.

Good Day! - posted on 07/12/2010

I'm confused about Bevelynn's posts. Did someone delete their posts or something?

Anyway, I understand that in YOUR school and in YOUR town (talking to no one in particular, but all the ones shocked by this) kids don't know about sex in the first grade. But there are sexually active first graders elsewhere. And something needs to be done. I don't necessarily agree with throwing condoms at the problem. It seems to me that if a child is active (active, not just knows about sex) that young, then there is some sort of major issue in that family.

And for those of you that would be pissed if your kid came home with a condom, please read all the information. They are not passing them out to every kid. The kid has to ask for it. And your kid won't get one unless they know what a condom is and have the guts to ask for it. If you are parenting correctly (like I'm assuming most of you are) then you have no worries about your kid coming home with a condom.

Jenny - posted on 07/12/2010

Well you were alot more sheltered than kids these days Sherri. Don't forget, with the internet they have instant access to a whole world of information. I lost my virginity at 12. My kids will always know how to be safe. I don't want others trying to misinform them.

Sherri - posted on 07/12/2010

@Becky no my kids didn't know what sex was until 12. It had nothing to do with them not telling me. They almost fell over when we had the talk at 12 and were quite horrified by it actually. We live in a small town and the kids here are very sheltered and kept young much longer. As I also said we do not even have 1 teen pregnant in our high school and never have we ever had any pregnant kids in younger grades.

And yes I do know where my children are every second of every day. They are NEVER (and yes I mean never) without proper adult supervision. They are 13, 11 & 4.

LaCi - posted on 07/12/2010

"NO I DON'T AGREE WITH GIVE CHILDREN CONDOMS AT EARLY AGE. WHAT THEY TRYING TO DO MAKE BABIES HAVE MORE BABIES, THEY ALREADY GOT ENOUGH DOLLS DOING ALL KIND OF THINGS. STOP ALREADY."


no, actually they're trying to PREVENT babies from having babies, thus the CONDOMS.