February 4, 2001    
begin

write

look

learn

find

Should condoms/information on STD's and pregnancy be made readily to students in schools?

Information on S.T.D.'s and where babies come from should be available in the public school systems. I have reservations about passing out condoms in the classroom. After all taxpayer money isn't used for freebee basketballs or take-home chess sets or make-over make-up kits. Information on condoms--and other forms of birth control should be available in high schools--and probably in junior high schools. Racks of contraceptive information the the school lavatories might not be a bad idea.

Jill, 60
Saylorsburg
,
PA  USA

Absolutely! It's naive to believe that just because schools encourage abstainance, everyone will practice it. We might as well make sure people are informed and safe about it.

Angela, 16
Aiken
, SC   USA

Kids need accurate information on sex-related matters. Since many parents are unable or unwilling to provide it, or have not established the kind of relationship with their children that allows open communication to take place, the schools should fill the gap. I was pleased that the school my children attended introduced sex education at the junior high level and provided the springboard for family discussions. In the same vein, I'd rather that sexually active youths had ready access to condoms than that diseases or pregnancies resulted from the lack thereof. If they are unwilling to abstain, then they should be encouraged to be responsible.

Jane, 60
West Linn
, OR   USA

I don't think they should pass out condoms or anything, but yeah. Why hide the truth? That's what causes a lot of problems. And learning from mistakes, even though it's risky, solves a lot of problems.

Karen, 21
Marshelltown/Ames
, IA  USA

I think the schools should be able to give out this information on condoms and STD along with info on abstaining from sex. (A sure-fire prevention method that works 100%.) Or the facts about what an unwanted pregnancy or an incurable STD can do to their future plans and life. Also parents should talk with their children and let them know their views and what they expect from their children.

Janet, 42
E. Brunswick
, NJ  USA

Information should be available. I don't think condoms should be made available through schools.

Laura, 36
Lowell
, MA   USA

Most definitely. I would hope that parents and adults in a young person's life would make sure they are safe in this area. However, given the way we treat sex, a sound and balanced information program starting early in the schools is a must. Building self-esteem and trust in young folks I think would also go a long way.

Felicia, 35
Lowell
, MA   USA

As long as it isn't tax dollars being used, sure. I know a lot of condom companies donate them to the schools. I think it's a brand loyalty attempt along the lines of what Apple tried. Adults also have free access to the same at walk-in clinics and some video stores.

Alias Irrelevante

Yes definatly! The more information available, the more likely it is that protection will be used.

Dianne, 16
Oshawa, Ontario  CANADA

Yes, condoms should be readily available at school. I am in high school now, and kids are going to do whatever they will regardless...with protection hopefully

Adrianne, 15
FL  USA

Are you kidding me? Of COURSE it should! How on earth could a kid even have a chance to be sexually responsible without an understanding of sex and its risks?

A-Dog, 18
McMinnville
, OR  USA

Definately. Kids are having sex anyway, this could help prevent teenage pregnancy/STDS.

Talia, 23
Wilton
, CT   USA

I think teaching a child about sex should be the responsibility of the parents. Teachers already hafta teach them everything that will get them a job later on. They shouldn't hafta deal w/ personal issues such as sex and correct ways to use condoms.

Stephanie, 25
TX   USA

Yes, i think that distributing such info will go a long way in stopping teen pregnancy and also teaching teens the dangers of sex in general. In some ways it brings the issue more into the open and erases the stigma surrounding it.

Sarah S., 17
Ithaca
, NY   USA

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes! Did I mention yes?? Of course they should be. Kids are going to have sex even if mommy and daddy and school think by just ignoring it it will not happen. Educate your kids, protect your kids. Sex is gonna happen, so the least we can do as parents is make sure that they do it safely. My son is getting a box of condoms for his sixteenth birthday.

Maggie, 20
Sandwich
, IL   USA

Of course, I mean, kids are going to do it anyhow, you might as well give them the information to keep them from catching a disease or over-populated the world. I mean, there are already too many people, there is no need to add to the population. Of course, some people would have a cow if that happened, so it is a moot point.

Mick, 30
Chicago
, IL   USA

Yes, yes, yes. Especially information. The level of ignorance some students have about sex is incredible. I understand the moral reluctance of some parents to give their kids information, but public health needs to be taken into account too. Also, what many people fail to consider is that giving kids accurate information can also cause them to decide to abstain (and I speak from experience).

Kim, 30
New York
, NY   USA

Yes, definitely in high schools - not in lower grades. Students *are*  having sex in high school, and to deny them condoms and information is just foolish.

etoile, 20
Washington
, DC  USA

Yes but I believe this should serve only as reinforcement from information passed on by a parent/parents. Education thwarts ignorance. As for those who believe that teaching about sexual activity/safety is like offering some sort of permission I don't buy it. We teach our kids to cross the road safely so they won't get hit by a car...do we really want to believe that kids then see this as an invitation to play chicken in the road? I don't think so. Of course, some kids will play chicken in the road no matter what...others will have the good sense to use what they've learned and stay safe.

Fisch, 45
Preston
, CT   USA

Absolutely! To think that students in high schools or universities are not having sex is naive. They should be taught how to have safer sex and what the possible consequences of their actions are. Teach students to make informed decisions.

Eric, 18
Beverly Hills
, CA  USA

When this practice first began, I was appalled and was one of the people that thought that sex education should begin at home, and that distribution of condoms would only encourage immoral behavior. That was years ago. Now I, like most Americans, know that unwanted pregnancies are on the rise and that most of them come from teenagers; that parents DON'T teach their kids. So I now definitely believe that all teenagers should receive information on STD's and sex practices in general. I'm still not so sure about condoms.

Reba, 51
Rockville
, MD   USA

Absolutely. . .

mothmc, 36
Los Angeles
, CA  USA

Of course. I mean, if they are going to do it, its better that it is available from schools, and therefore, not having to go steal them from a drug store or not have them at all. And besides, shouldn't schools be teaching life strategies as well as the three r's?

Lisa J., 22
TN   USA

Hell yes.

Firelady, 23
Dallas
, TX   USA

Yes...how else are they going to learn it because it's not coming from parents and the WRONG info can come from friends. Abstinence is always great to teach, but they're gonna have sex anyway so why not teach them how to do it right. Better safe than pregnant, infected, or dead!

Tracy, 24
Ocean City
, NJ  USA

Yeah, sure... I bet a pretty good percentage of the teens who are sexually active don't know a whole lot about STDs....

Jeremy, 13
Highlands Ranch
, CO  USA

Being a teenager, I think they should. At least give us info on STDs and pregnancy. Condoms shouldn't b made available in school because that may encourage students to have sex.

Kevin2, 18
Frazier Park
, CA  USA

Yesterday / Tomorrow