On the middle school handing out birth control pills, the parents have to give permission first. But after they sign that form, info stops there unless the child decides to let their parents know. So the school does need permission to act first. This is a hard issue, because there are the good parents who are there for their kids and really talk to them. I applaud you as a dad, because unfortunately a lot of dads aren't involved. I'm lucky to have my husband and he's a wonderful father. But we have to account for the kids that slip thru the cracks. My husband is a coach and the lack of fathers(sometimes mothers) is staggering. There are kids who don't get the parenting they need, never see the inside of a church, some on the streets. My children go to magnet schools because the choice we have for a middle school is downright scary, and we don't have the money for a private school. The sad state of the schools and kids is the fact everyone has low expectations of them. You set a low bar for these kids and what are they going to do, meet your expectations. Education, education, education. Then apply that education. These kids need to know they are worth more than that, they need to know they have good choices, they need to know someone cares. This is something I wish I knew how to change. Do I go to the middle school I'm scared of? What? The community needs to come together for the kids, I just wish I knew how. If these kids knew they were worth something they might just believe in themselves and be a gift to their community. Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox. But I know it all starts with the kids.
Education is vital. But I think it starts with the parents, who then have to pass it on to the kids. Hopefully the new superintendent will make some positive changes. There are also many good community programs out there like Upward Bound, Boys and Girls Clubs. People have got to get out of this welfare and "ghetto" mentality. I do not mean that to sound racist, because it applies to everyone, no matter the color of their skin. Just because mama had babies at 12 or daddies got 10 kids by that many mama's doesn't mean the kids have to follow in the same footsteps. I believe anyone can be and do anything they want to do. But they have to be responsible.
PS-I don't think the school's here are to the point of passing at birth control, even with parent's permission. At least they weren't when I worked as a school nurse about 4 years ago, and none of my kids have come home with any information like that. Quite to the contrary, they have brought permission forms home to attend an assembly about abstinence. I think that is put on by LeMoyne Center or Exchange Club (which also offers parenting classes).
I believe the billboard you are referring to is through the Alabama Department of Public Health. As to teaching responsibility, ideally that should be the parents. But alas, not all parents are responsible themselves. Therefore, I think that all adults should try to make a lasting positive impression wherever they go. Who knows what seeds are planted by our example? I know since you are involved with football with your kids, you have opportunities to interact with other kids and other parents, as do I with my kids activities. What kind of impression are we leaving? Hopefully one that will make a difference in someones life.
(snip) More than 1 million cases of chlamydia were reported in the United States last year - the most ever reported for a sexually transmitted disease, federal health officials said Tuesday.
Syphilis is rising, too. The rate of congenital syphilis - which can deform or kill babies - rose for the first time in 15 years. (snip)
More proof that when it comes to unprotected sex, "just say no" just isn't working.
Education and abstinence some folks think is key to eliminating unwanted pregnancies is not only not lessening womens' abortions but is evidently useless in protecting people from STD's as well.
People can be willful creatures who refuse to listen to warnings or believe statistics. Forcing someone to live with the results of their stupidity after the fact just makes more problems - for them and the innocent.
(snip) More than 1 million cases of chlamydia were reported in the United States last year - the most ever reported for a sexually transmitted disease, federal health officials said Tuesday.
Syphilis is rising, too. The rate of congenital syphilis - which can deform or kill babies - rose for the first time in 15 years. (snip)
More proof that when it comes to unprotected sex, "just say no" just isn't working.
Education and abstinence some folks think is key to eliminating unwanted pregnancies is not only not lessening womens' abortions but is evidently useless in protecting people from STD's as well.
People can be willful creatures who refuse to listen to warnings or believe statistics. Forcing someone to live with the results of their stupidity after the fact just makes more problems - for them and the innocent.
-nab
Well, actually abstinence would prevent STDS and unwanted pregnancies. Saying "no" does work, but alas not everyone is going to use that simple word. That being said, birth control is free or low cost through the health department, as well as condoms. There is also birth control available at any drug store, Wal-Mart etc. The ONLY thing that will prevent STD's and pregnancy is abstinence. Not even condoms protect against all STD's and are only about 80% effective in preventing pregnancy. People have a choice in how they behave. They can sleep with half of Mobile, if they are stupid enough to do so. It's like playing russian roulette. That STD may not show up for weeks or even years later (Group B strep, HPV, and HIV). But when a pregnancy is the result of immature behavior, then there is another life to consider besides your own. Yes, some STD's can have effects on babies, but so can CMV, which is a virus carried by cats.
I spend the majority of my day as a maternal-child nurse educating people on caring for their babies and on family planning issues. Do people always listen? No, but at least I am planting the seed so they do have information and may make better choices. Abortion is still wrong, no matter how many ways you want to dissect it, argue it or discuss it.
That being said, birth control is free or low cost through the health department, as well as condoms. There is also birth control available at any drug store, Wal-Mart etc.
So, why do you think women and men don't use birth control? If it's so easy and cheap, why doesn't everyone who doesn't want their sexual coupling to end in pregnancy use it? I'll tell you why: BECAUSE THEY'RE STUPID. You can try to teach stupid people smart things to do until you're blue in the face, but you accomplish nothing.
Abortion is still wrong, no matter how many ways you want to dissect it, argue it or discuss it.
Abortion is no more "wrong" than voting a particular party line is wrong...or interracial marriage is wrong...or not believing in God is wrong...or countless other opinions that folks have are wrong. Or right. Your opinion is that abortion is wrong. Abortion is legal. As long as it's legal, you may believe it to be morally wrong and many people would agree with you. Just as many people would disagree with you.
OK, you are right, it is my opinion. One based on Biblical upbringing that all life is sacred. But perhaps if abortion were not legal, the people who use it as a form of "birth control" would rethink what they do, before they do it. I do agree that the statistics of STD's are rising, but doesn't this point to the moral decay of our society? I am sure all generations have had their problems, but this generation of teens to 30 somethings is more morally depraved than any other generation. My opinion, if we start back at the basics, make family and God a priority, then we will see a turn for the better. When the media bombards us with sexual innuendos, from birth control advertisement on TV, to subtle sexual expressions even in cartoons and the prime time family hour-then yes, people get the idea that this is OK, and socially acceptable, when it is not. If society continues to deteriorate, what is next? Do we euthanize old people or the physically challenged? Do we allow drugs to become legal? Yes it is a moral issue, but we need to look at the overall moral welfare of this country.
