Good news: Mass. school now may limit condoms to, um, fifth-graders and older
posted at 6:25 pm on June 25, 2010 by Allahpundit
A moral victory, my friends: From now on, if you want a condom from the school nurse in Provincetown, you’ll need to be at least 10 years old.
Or nine, I suppose, if you happened to skip a grade.
A day after the new policy caused a media firestorm, School Committee chairman Peter Grosso said that Provincetown would probably limit condoms to fifth-graders and older. His stance stemmed from a conversation he had with Superintendent Beth Singer, author of the rule set to take effect this fall.
“She said the School Committee is going to have to revisit the policy and definitely reword it so it’s self-explaining, and possibly wording it so that maybe there would be an exclusion of the real young grades,’’ Grosso said.
In a rare intervention in a local matter, [Gov. Deval] Patrick called Singer yesterday morning to urge her to keep the free condoms out of the Cape Cod community’s elementary school, which serves preschoolers to sixth-graders…
School Committee member Carrie Notaro said that while she prefers the current policy, she is willing to compromise.
“If parents are that upset, and we have to revise it to fifth- and sixth-graders, then that would be fine with me,’’ said Notaro, who has a preschooler and a second-grader in the elementary school.
No condoms unless you’re in junior high: Way to lay down the law, Deval. Incidentally, anyone think he would have opened his mouth here if he wasn’t up for re-election and facing two Republicans who are milking this story for all its worth?
Here’s Fox News vid of Megyn Kelly making the case that the school should draw the line in supplying condoms at the state’s age of consent — namely, 16. How does that answer the safety argument, though?
Blowback
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3rd graders: Oh man, no more free water balloons!!!
portlandon on June 25, 2010 at 6:27 PM
Fifth grade in not junior high, seventh grade is…but still too early. THis is not the business of schools
clnurnberg on June 25, 2010 at 6:28 PM
I still think this school must have a high percentage of Kennedy children in it.
Oil Can on June 25, 2010 at 6:31 PM
Considering all the recent teacher sex scandals… Yeah.
Holger on June 25, 2010 at 6:32 PM
Speaking from rather unpleasant personal experience, at 6th grade the naughty talk is already started…so there’s at least SOME sense to this mess.
But I agree, still way too early. 8th grade at the least.
Dark-Star on June 25, 2010 at 6:32 PM
Elementary and junior high, no. High School yes.
Caper29 on June 25, 2010 at 6:32 PM
Condoms are not expensive. Surely a kid who is ready to have sex is also prepared to spend a few bucks at the local store.
AbaddonsReign on June 25, 2010 at 6:32 PM
Children do not have sexual rights at that age. They are too young to consent, even to another child of the same age. This school district should raise that age to High school only. Even at that age I have a problem with it.
portlandon on June 25, 2010 at 6:33 PM
Then there would be mandatory swim lessons for a females and IFR training for boys.
Caper29 on June 25, 2010 at 6:33 PM
ok, I don’t have kids, so I maybe off the mark but do 5th graders actually know what condoms are?
cmsinaz on June 25, 2010 at 6:33 PM
All libs have that batsh*t crazy look.
truth2power on June 25, 2010 at 6:34 PM
No doubt. I have never understood this and makes me wonder what the school really wants to happen. The schools are far too quick to encroach where they should not but far too many parents let them.
CWforFreedom on June 25, 2010 at 6:34 PM
What the hell?! It`s almost like they want kindergarten children to get the crabs!
ThePrez on June 25, 2010 at 6:35 PM
When I was 10 girls still had cooties, but being a Safety Boy I got to leave class about 15 minutes early to get to my intersection and help the little kids cross the road.
fourdeucer on June 25, 2010 at 6:35 PM
Do we have a runaway, rampaging STD problem with the elementary school children in Massachusets? If so, who’s responsible for sponsoring such stupidity? It’s likely a result of the Cindy Sheehan school of intellectual development and outstanding performance in the area of reason.
LarryG on June 25, 2010 at 6:36 PM
When do they install the brass pole and start serving cocktails?
nico on June 25, 2010 at 6:38 PM
Of course they need to do this. When they tell children to engage in risky sexual behavior, especially homosexuality, then they need to supply them with protection. Do they want to cause an explosion of HIV in our schools? It would be like telling them to play with guns and then not give them bullet proof vests.
Blue Collar Todd on June 25, 2010 at 6:39 PM
When I was in fifth grade, I was watching Saturday morning cartoons and playing with my etch-a-sketch. I certainly wasn’t eying the red-head across the street dreaming about how to b*ng her and what protection I should have.
Electrongod on June 25, 2010 at 6:40 PM
EXACTLY!
cmsinaz on June 25, 2010 at 6:41 PM
Kids nowadays get all the cool stuff… for free!
Unbelievable :*/
leftnomore on June 25, 2010 at 6:44 PM
First, tell everyone who is an adult that anything goes.
Second, tell those younger than an adult that anything goes.
Third, tell children as young as possible that anything goes.
Fourth, supply all said children with condoms.
Finally, institute a “No touching” environment in your school to keep children “safe” because their behavior has gotten to be a problem.
See, this is how liberals think.
(Makes no sense at all to me!)
UnderstandingisPower on June 25, 2010 at 6:44 PM
My 12-year old grandchild needs to know how to protect bananas.
Ugly on June 25, 2010 at 6:46 PM
did we miss a schoolhouse rock cartoon re: this?
cmsinaz on June 25, 2010 at 6:46 PM
I have a fifth grader. Certainly the naughty talk does start in sixth grade, modern parents can’t afford to be naive. However, the kids really don’t understand the naughty talk, and for the most part are parroting stuff they hear the older kids say, and repeating the stuff lackadaisical parents let them watch on tv. My son would have no idea what a condom is, but we home school. Unfortunately, a parents best offense is a good defense. Have the “talk” early, and often. Back it up with moral teachings. I figure I can’t keep the kids locked away forever, but I can give them the tools and knowledge they need to combat evil.
Kristamatic on June 25, 2010 at 6:49 PM
Is she related to fellow anti-child leftist fool Peter Singer?
http://oldarchive.godspy.com/issues/WHATS-LOVE-GOT-TO-DO-WITH-IT-The-Ethical-Contradictions-of-Peter-Singer-by-Dr-Peter-J-Colosi.cfm.html
itsnotaboutme on June 25, 2010 at 6:49 PM
Toys in happy meals and kids having best friends — dangerous
Condoms keep school kids safe
and we should thank ‘safe schools’ czar for that
macncheez on June 25, 2010 at 6:50 PM
The question earlier was “where does evil come from?” I’m going with “Cape Cod for $1000, Alex.”
hoosiermama on June 25, 2010 at 6:50 PM
Age of consent makes perfect sense to me.
clement on June 25, 2010 at 6:51 PM
But don’t bring a green plastic army man to school.
THAT sends the wrong message.
nico on June 25, 2010 at 6:52 PM
Why not lower the driving age to 12? If they can sex, than why not let them drive? Let them vote too! /
Why do they want to rob the children of their childhoods?
portlandon on June 25, 2010 at 6:52 PM
Allah:
Here’s a tip, AP: If you don’t want people to do something, DON’T MAKE IT MORE SAFE!
Splashman on June 25, 2010 at 6:53 PM
You mean the Multiplication Schoolhouse Rock called “I got your six, give me your nine”?
Electrongod on June 25, 2010 at 6:54 PM
Where the heck does the authority come from in any way shape or form for the school to have this responsibility to kids? I just don’t understand what mandate this comes under.
WitchDoctor on June 25, 2010 at 6:54 PM
Superintendent Beth Singer woke up one morning and the most pressing issue on the education front was the need to hand out condoms? To elementary school children?
The schools are trying to take over parenthood with their own very liberal agenda and it will spell the complete downfall or even the end of public education if they don’t back off.
RJL on June 25, 2010 at 6:55 PM
that’s the one…
cmsinaz on June 25, 2010 at 6:56 PM
After all, they currently hold the majority in Congress.
nico on June 25, 2010 at 6:58 PM
Um yeah. If you think this is a good idea, you should probably not be trusted with this or any other decision regarding children. It’s self disqualifying for any responsibility for others, particularly minors.
trubble on June 25, 2010 at 6:59 PM
YES. She’s even quoted as saying “If the parents are that upset…” In a free educational market, parents would be free to find a school that doesn’t have crappy morals. Those that approve–or don’t care–could stay.
hoosiermama on June 25, 2010 at 7:02 PM
Oil Can on June 25, 2010 at 6:31 PM
I cannot stop laughing!!
gina4 on June 25, 2010 at 7:02 PM
Okay, maybe I didn’t phrase that correctly. My point is, if you remove (or mitigate) a danger inherent to an activity, you increase the likelihood that more people will engage in that activity. That is basic psychology.
Yes, it sounds uber-grinchly and downright mean to say that kids should suffer the consequences of early sexual activity, but the only alternative results in an increase in early sexual activity.
This is similar to the question of what the government should do about poor people (i.e., not disabled or elderly). If the government provides a handout (Welfare, food stamps, etc.), it mitigates the consequences of the actions that led to poverty (lack of education, bad choices, etc.), and that results in more poor (unproductive) people. Sounds cruel to say that Government should get out of the business of writing checks to poor people, but you can’t change reality with good intentions.
Splashman on June 25, 2010 at 7:03 PM
From my experience raising my kid in one of the top 10 public elementary schools: Certain kids are cussing like nobody’s business in 2nd grade. Certain kids are sexually active in 3rd grade.
The cussing & sexuality come from parents who either condone the behavior or are not paying attention. I’m 55 and have to say that a large segment of my generation are overgrown hippies and have done a terrible job raising decent human beings.
Here’s another thing that shocked me: The pastor of our church and his wife asked me to help fund a drive to put condom machines in the middle school bathrooms. That was in 1998. We left that church immediately.
Reason a gazillion that my late husband and I took our kid out of the award-winning public school at the end of 6th grade and homeschooled him.
One of the best decisions we ever made.
Of course, when he started college 2 years ago, he was met with a plethora of liberal indoctrination. He’s coming back to his senses, now that he has to have a real job and live in the real world.
surfhut on June 25, 2010 at 7:28 PM
Just for the record, the Cape tends to be Conservative. Provincetown is the very tip of the Cape and a short boat ride from Boston. It’s pretty Much San Francisco East.
TheBigOldDog on June 25, 2010 at 7:34 PM
Where do we live again? I don’t recognize the place…
Hog Wild on June 25, 2010 at 7:43 PM
The parents of any 10 year old who is sexed because the school gives out condoms, aka the BOE green light, should sue everyone in site for contributing, facilitating, procuring, contributing… and anything else that comes to mind.
-
RalphyBoy on June 25, 2010 at 7:48 PM
I bet Dr. Singer don’t like someone calling her Ma’am…
d1carter on June 25, 2010 at 7:57 PM
A moral victory, my friends: From now on, if you want a condom from the school nurse in Provincetown, you’ll need to be at least 10 years old.
=================================================
Ta Da do I win
==================
===================
Exit question: How soon before the school board reverses course under fire? Over/under is five days.
———————————————–
Exit question: How soon before the school board reverses course under fire? Over/under is five days.
==============================================
Two days!!
canopfor on June 24, 2010 at 9:07 PM
canopfor on June 25, 2010 at 8:01 PM
Isn’t it funny that Dr. Singer looks exactly like the stereotype of a liberal women who shops at an organic supermarket and probably drives a car with “Peace Now” bumper stickers. It’s uncanny how you can spot these people a mile away.
Hummer53 on June 25, 2010 at 8:01 PM
Seeing how the age of consent is 16, isn’t the school actually contributing to underage sex? I mean what’s the message here?
“Underage sex is illegal and we are going to help you break the law safely!”
Guardian on June 25, 2010 at 8:04 PM
Personally I think this is just a way for teachers to have sex with students and make the taxpayers pay for the condoms. I guess the teachers unions figure they are already screwing the taxpayers. Might as well get a piece from the kids.
Guardian on June 25, 2010 at 8:09 PM
s/b “doesn’t”….duh
d1carter on June 25, 2010 at 8:11 PM
You don’t need a brain in your head!
-Megyn Kelly
You go girl,logic is a b*tch!!haha
canopfor on June 25, 2010 at 8:11 PM
Almost everybody — EVERYBODY — is missing the point. The important thing about this story is not how young or old the children in question ought to be before receiving condoms. It isn’t about the legal age of consent. What’s most outrageous is the fact that the Provincetown school board unanimously decided they are going to completely and utterly usurp the authority of the students’ parents.
It’s a stone-faced, uncaring middle finger not just to the parents of Provincetown, but of parents per se. What Dr. Beth Singer — a thoroughly evil woman — and her board members are saying is essentially this: “You’re free to teach your children to do what you say, but while they’re within our walls, WE ARE THEIR PARENTS, AND THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.
L.N. Smithee on June 25, 2010 at 8:20 PM
That’s one of the first things I thought, too. I doubt it — she got her first degree from the University of Toledo (OH). If she were the mare of that horse’s youowot Peter Singer, she’d most likely be a Ivy League legacy kid.
L.N. Smithee on June 25, 2010 at 8:30 PM
Let’s just go all in and make the age of majority a nice, round number like 10. They can drive, drink, get their own apartments, join the military, etc.. And of course, experts in the NEA have essentially said they are capable of making great decisions and behaving like adults, so their parents will no longer support them–except under Obamacare, which says they will stay on their parents insurance until they are 26. Liberal consistency, thou art a jewel.
DrMagnolias on June 25, 2010 at 8:39 PM
I would SO homeschool my kid if I lived in Mass.
Mojave Mark on June 25, 2010 at 8:41 PM
Can teachers still distribute condoms to the students they’re sleeping with, regardless of age?
Brass poles? Haven’t most schools phased out gym class?
malclave on June 25, 2010 at 8:43 PM
5th grade or older? WTF?
I mean I was thinking about my next sexual conquest when I was like 8…gosh!
/sarc
Dick Turpin on June 25, 2010 at 8:44 PM
I don’t know, but it’s not as though condoms are impossible to get outside of school.
Consumption of alcohol is safer with an adult, and surely there are a comparable number of junior high kids drinking as there are having sex. Why not also offer a safer way to get drunk?
Esthier on June 25, 2010 at 9:35 PM
In my kid’s elementary school, a child needs a note from their parents to take a milk instead of an orange juice. Funny that forcing a kid, without a lactose-intolerance, to drink milk is a greater intrusion than dispensing condoms between recess and art.
pjean on June 25, 2010 at 10:27 PM
They’ve robbed our children of childhood, now they need to pass out protection against what they promoted.
And isn’t this type of thing listed in the 1963 publication of the goals of the Communist party? If you haven’t read that enlightening piece of crap, you had better look it up and digest it, because most of those goals have been reached and the rest are in progress.
hopefloats on June 25, 2010 at 11:12 PM
Possibly the most surreal thing about this is that we’re talking about 10-year-olds. It’s not clear what purpose a condom would be serving for the average 10-year-old of either sex, even in a leftist’s mind.
The condom clearly isn’t a practical precaution here as it could be, at least from a statistical standpoint, for children only a couple of years older. Instead, it’s a talisman — a thing of magical power or significance in a mindset that functions like a religion.
J.E. Dyer on June 25, 2010 at 11:47 PM
Why can’t someone who gives a condom to a child below the age of consent not be arrested for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor?
eeyore on June 26, 2010 at 12:11 AM
That is AWESOME!!
Wait – WHAT???
greggriffith on June 26, 2010 at 12:41 AM
Yes, that’s it!
Feedie on June 26, 2010 at 2:54 AM
For the last 20 years of her teaching career (until about 5 years ago) my mother taught 4th grade. Considering that 90% of her students had failed at least one grade, she was sending at least one kid a year off for a pregnancy test. It isn’t the school’s business…. until the next generation of welfare moms hits class.
SDN on June 26, 2010 at 5:58 AM
No wonder these skank teachers are having sex with your children . They are trying to find the lowest age of sexual activity .
borntoraisehogs on June 26, 2010 at 11:00 AM
How about this. If the kids have enough $$ to buy McD’s burgers, they have enough to pay for condoms.
And if they’re not too embarrassed to got to school nurse, they’re certainly not too embarrassed to go to Walgreens.
JEEZ.
meep on June 26, 2010 at 1:22 PM
modern proverbs:
instead of “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink”
“you can give a kid a condom, but you can’t make them use it.”
meep on June 26, 2010 at 1:23 PM
That 40 year old female teacher wasn’t having sex with a twelve year old boy. she was just testing the condom to see if the boy knew how to use it.
MaiDee on June 26, 2010 at 8:50 PM
Figure’s it would be Provincetown, “parents rights” not in age of the Nanny State, they know best for your children.
Irenaeus on June 27, 2010 at 3:03 PM