From: csz55@seq1.keele.ac.uk (Christopher Wrigley)
Newsgroups: misc.kids,alt.kids-talk,alt.parents-teens,misc.education
Subject: Minors right of access to contraceptives?
Date: 13 Apr 92 13:53:28 GMT
Organization: University of Keele, England


I have a question which I believe is worthy of debate. Again it concerns
both parents and their children in an age where teenage pregnancy is no
longer our primary worry.

The question is: Should minors have the same right of access to
contraceptives as adults and should parents be notified if
contraceptives are provided to their minor children?

I watched a program last night (Heart of the Matter {UK only}), that
asked many questions on both sides of the debate.  Both arguments
seemed justified, however I see no solution for a compromise....
Well perhaps I do, as I will no doubt infer as I write this post.

In the light of recent commercials that are screened in the US, I
believe it is claimed that one in every one hundred adults are now
HIV+. I also understand that Britain in only about five years behind
the US in terms of the AIDS epidemic.

The program told of how schools were now giving out free condoms to
children at school if they wanted them with the reassurance that their
parents would not be informed. They also did not have to give any 
reasons or explanations to the teachers for their use. Some parents
were outraged at the board of educations decision to allow this at
school and are presently fighting a court battle for the withdrawl of
this implementation.

The program cleverly weighed the argument equally on both sides.
I have decided to quickly sketch a synopsis of each side for brevity
and reduced reading time:

A G A I N S T

       i)  The Catholic religion does not allow sex before marriage
  and believe their children should not be exposed to this.

      ii)  The matter should be discussed _in_the_home and is not the
  schools responsiblilty nor is it their right to address such issues
  or practices in the school setting.

     iii)  The school, operating in this way, is upholding the parents
  constitutional right to exersise full control over their children.

      iv)  Parents felt that the school was teaching the _opposite
  ideals to children in contrast to the ideals encouraged in the home.

       v)  Giving condoms to children _encourages more sexual activity.
  It was felt the children would be more likely to abstain if the free
  condom opportunity was not available.

      vi)  Misuse of contraceptives. (reports of using them as
  waterbombs and placing them on classroom doorhandles etc.)


F O R
       i)  Primary reason: Will encourage _safer sex and has already
  shown a clear reduction of people contracting the virus in those areas
  where the new system is in operation.

      ii)  Supports other problems such as teenage pregnancy etc.

     iii)  Response to against (i): The contraceptives are available if
  the child _wants them, s/he is under no obligation to avail of the
  opportunity -- it is between parent and child.

  
What do parents and kids believe is right?

		Chris
__
Christopher  Wrigley           "Have not children the right to keep the
University of Keele, England      secrets of their hearts from you?"
JANET - csz55@uk.ac.keele           (Lindkvist - Strindbergs "Easter")
BITNET - csz55%seq1.keele.ac.uk@ukacrl
Newsgroups: misc.kids