By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A school district is Massachusetts implemented a new school policy that makes condoms available to all students, including elementary students. Peter Grosso, Provincetown School Board Chairman, explained that because there is no set age for when children decide to become sexually active, the committee refrained from setting an age for condom availability. Under the policy, a student who requests a condom from a school nurse must receive counseling first, which includes information on abstinence; the policy does require the parents to be contacted. The policy was approved by Provincetown’s school committee on June 10 and will take effect in the fall. The policy is receiving widespread criticisms. For example, Kris Mineau, president of the conservative Massachusetts Family Institute, called the idea absurd. To read more on this story see Massachusetts School District receives criticisms for new condom policy.
Sex education is important – children need to be counseled on the dangers of sexually transmitted viruses and pregnancy risks. Parents and school boards or committees should work together on formulating programs to educate children about the consequences of sexual activity. If a compromise can be met between the conflicting views, our children can be taught and an adequate and important lesson without offending the views and beliefs of their parents. Of course, there are many parents who believe that sex education is best taught in the home or through a private counselor or a church / other religious institution.