Middle School and Oral Contraceptives?

Everyone is talking about the Portland, Maine middle school that gave an “ok” to distribute birth control to middle school students through the school’s health center. Crazy, yes, and I could go on all day about the social implications and the societal ills that allowed for such a situation, but I won’t. Logically, it just doesn’t make sense to most sane and grounded Americans.

My concern is that we’re not looking at all the effects of sexual activity in children this young. Sure, let’s control unwanted pregnancies, but what about sexually transmitted diseases and the psychological effects of premature sexual activity?

If sexually active middle school girls are on birth control pills, will they still insist that their partner wear a condom to prevent possible disease? I fear that the “smart” sexually active pre-teens who actually use condoms will no longer continue to do so, because they know that pregnancy is no longer a concern with oral contraceptives. Few middle school girls have the persistence and self-confidence to insist that their male counterpart still wear a condom if she is on “the pill”, and few boys would choose to do so! A sexually transmitted disease can be lifelong, just as a baby is, and condoms are the only way to prevent STDs.

We accept that many children, pre-teens, and teenagers use intravenous drugs recreationally—do we hand out hypodermic needles so that they can do so more safely? Sounds absurd, but it’s the same logic. Although young men and young women use drugs, we still teach them that they should avoid such activities altogether.

4parents.gov is a research-based government website that encourages abstinence and instructs parents in how to talk to their teens about sexual activity. Here’s a clip from the website that talks about the psychological implications of teen sex:

“People often believe that the only risks from teens having sex are pregnancy or
getting an STD. Not true. Teens who have sex are at risk for emotional problems
too.

It has been clear for quite some time that teen sex and emotional problems such as depression are related. What has not been clear is if teen sex causes depression, or depression causes teens to have sex. Recent research suggests that both may be true. Teens, especially girls, who have sexual intercourse may be at greater risk for
depression. And depression in teens is now known to lead to risky sexual behaviors.

A 2005 study recommended that teen girls who have sex be screened for depression. This journal article found that teen girls who had sex, took drugs, and/or started drinking were up to three times more likely to be depressed a year later than girls who did not take those risks.”

Ultimately, children need to be taught that sex is part of a healthy adult marital relationship. Let them decide from there. But don't encourage sex and unsafe sex in middle school by giving kids birth control pills. America is on the wrong path—war, loose morals, our economy, etc. Let’s learn some lessons from the fall of Rome, and start building toward something lasting and grounded.