Massachusetts voted in favor of what they have titled the “Comprehensive
Reproductive Health Policy,” which would provide free condoms to middle and
high school students in their school district. There is another round of voting
left on the policy, but even though it has yet to be enacted, it’s sparking
quite a bit of controversy with some parents.
The policy makers are defending it by insisting that this is
a preventative measure against sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy
for students who are interested in becoming (or already are) sexually active. The
policy also makes abstinence counseling available to the tweens and teens, as
well as an opt-out option that parents can choose if they do not want their
child to have access to the contraceptives. Opponents of the plan claim children
as young as 12 should not be sexually active and that giving them a means of
birth control encourages them to experiment sexually at far too young an age.
Here at GL, we believe that making contraceptives available
to those who want them isn’t encouraging kids to have sex, it’s helping those already
interested to do so safely. Research has proven that kids are having sex
whether their parents like it or not. Shouldn’t they at least do so safely?
to contraceptives? Let us know where you stand on the issue in the comments
below.
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