P-town to rethink condom policy

[Forkboy]

Governor urges no access for young children

The Provincetown school system will revisit its controversial policy of making condoms available to all students, with no age restriction, after Governor Deval Patrick expressed concern yesterday that very young children would have access to them.

A day after the new policy caused a media firestorm, School Committee chairman Peter Grosso said that Provincetown would probably limit condoms to fifth-graders and older. His stance stemmed from a conversation he had with Superintendent Beth Singer, author of the rule set to take effect this fall.

“She said the School Committee is going to have to revisit the policy and definitely reword it so it’s self-explaining, and possibly wording it so that maybe there would be an exclusion of the real young grades,’’ Grosso said.

In a rare intervention in a local matter, Patrick called Singer yesterday morning to urge her to keep the free condoms out of the Cape Cod community’s elementary school, which serves preschoolers to sixth-graders.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/06/25/p_town_to_rethink_condom_policy/

[HEyHEY]

1. Put the machines in the washroom, forget about them.

Christ we've had condom machines in Canadian highschools since the fucking 80s. And, despite my unrelenting efforts, I never got laid in high school.

[SunnySong]

7. Yeah but this is second grade not high school... This really wouldn't have made the news if it was

High School.

[TheMadMonk]

2. How's this for a dumb idea? When the little ones come asking for "balloons"...

...give them balloons. If they want something else give it to them and OBSERVE. But don't automatically assume a problem with nothing but low suspicions for evidence.

Oh and if they ask for the "big ones" check rooftop access and keep an eye on open balconies and windows over walkways and gathering places.

[Crystal Clarity]

6. Water 'Balloon' War!!!

:woohoo:

Condoms are great for that with the added bonus that they look hilarious engorged with H2O.

[nomorenomore08]

3. Condoms in high schools, I have no problem with.

Even middle schools, since pregnancy is still possible at that age. But why exactly would they be making contraceptives available to fifth-graders and below? Doesn't make much sense, and honestly it kind of creeps me out...

[Forkboy]

4. Well, this person lost his virginity in 5th grade at age 11 with a 14 year old girl.

I can understand the concept creeping someone out, but sex is occurring a lot earlier than parents want to believe in many instances. I just read a story the other day that girls in America are now reaching puberty earlier than ever before, around age 10, firmly in the 5th grade territory. Instances such my own may be rare, but better safe than sorry. Sex ed combined with the availability of condoms is a good thing, creepy or not. It would be even creepier to have to take your daughter to a doctor because she's pregnant at 13, or either kid to one because of an STD.

Having said all that, I realize most kids will never ask for one anyways, but some will (I knew some kids who were totally oblivious to the concept of embarrassment). For the ones with the guts to ask it would be a smart thing to provide them with one.

[nomorenomore08]

5. Okay, and I understand there are always exceptions.

I'm certainly not going to go out and campaign against condoms in elementary schools, it just struck me as odd, that's all... :shrug:

[Forkboy]

8. I understand your reaction.

Peace :toast: