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Massachusetts middle school wants to give kids contraceptives

Recently, the Springfield School Committee in Springfield, 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?

 

What do you think? Should middle school students have access to contraceptives? Let us know where you stand on the issue in the comments below.

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by Amanda Poole | 2/1/2016
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