Replies to '10/07 The Latest Debates'

I volunteer at an after school program in Washington, DC.  Most of the youth I work with come from single parent families and do not spend a lot of time with their parents (because the parents work).  The Junior High and High School age youth are very sexually physical with each other most of the time.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what they are thinking.  These youth are not getting the information they need at home to make an informed decision and often the school is the only source of information.  It is very important to me that all of these youth are able to continue their education without the concerns of raising a child.  I speak very candidly with the youth about sex and the consequences including STD's and children.  I do not personally provide condoms to youth, but I do not have a problem with schools making them available to the youth as long as education accompanies them. 

I think a lot of people are unaware of what goes outside of their own homes.  Just because you plan to educate your child on the dangers of sex does not mean that all children are given the opportunity to learn from their parents.  I think the most important thing is that the youth are educated so they can make the best decision for them.