There are a lot of parents who may be outraged at this, but school districts in Provincetown, MA, recently passed a policy that allows the school nurse to hand out free condoms to any child that comes in and asks for them. Yes, you read that right. I said ‘child.’
This new policy doesn’t just apply to high school students, but children in all grades from first through twelfth. It seems absurd, as what is a six-year-old going to do with a condom?
School Superintendent, Beth Singer, says, “We know that sexual experimentation is not limited to an age, so how does one put an age on it?”
The even more disturbing thing about this policy is parents will not be informed if their seven-year-old visits the nurse’s office and asks for a condom. Singer noted that the nurse would ask the child’s motivation, and they would deal with the case in a professional and appropriate way.
I’m sorry, is there a professional and appropriate way to deal with six-year-old kids asking for condoms? And when did it become the school district’s responsibility to educate young children about sexuality? I realize a lot of school districts do go out of their way to help children transition into adolescence, and many parents don’t seem to know how to approach conversations about the birds and the bees, but to start talking to grade school children about sex in a public forum? I’m not sure I agree.
I would rather have my child talk to me, but some experts seem to worry children fear their parents reaction and might feel more comfortable talking to a semi-familiar expert.
What do you think of this? I realize social pressure and changing times have more children than ever having sexual relations at very young ages, but is this going too far?