Making Lemonade out of Lemons
I try not to write posts that are controversial or of sensitive nature. This time I went went ahead.
I read a most disturbing article this morning.
Girls in New York City who can't take Tylenol at school without jumping through hoops are now able to take the morning after pill. These teens in thirteen NYC schools are also able to receive birth control injections from the school nurse. They can make decisions concerning their body when it comes to birth control but not when it comes to making the decision to drink a king size soda. I never say this, but feel it appropriate now, smh!
Years ago, my sister ran through a door in High School cutting her forearm badly. She
couldn't get stitches until my mom could be contacted and gave consent. She could have bled to death, but needed parental consent. Now we leave major decisions in the hands of our teens?
Girls fourteen and up are able to get these and other forms of birth control from the school nurse at their teenage will. Letters were sent to the parents with the chance to opt out; some in the mail and in other schools letters were sent through the students.
I know my kids don't get notes to me on a regular basis; I feel sure the schools know this is a possibility with these students as well. Parents are already saying they have received no such letter. The only way these girls will not be able to receive the birth control is if a note is checked, signed and returned opting them out of the service. I find it suspicious that only 1 to 2% of parents have returned the note.
Why not have it the other way around? Why did the schools not reserve the service for students whose parents give them permission to receive the morning after pill or other birth control? It shouldn't be done at all.
See full article http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=17310468
I've spent a lot of migraines and eye twitches being torn up about things of this nature; large and looming problems which I feel I have no control over. These kinds of programs and services break down the family rather than seek to build it.
I'm well aware that there are kids involved in activities that their parents know nothing about who find themselves in situations which need to be dealt with delicately. In other instances parents may know what there children are engaging in but feel helpless.
One important thing I learned when teaching is that parents care much more for their children's well-being than they are often able to express.
If the school has any business in the raising of these kids, and that's what they are at fourteen/fifteen-KIDS, then that business should be partnering with parents as long as that is a possibility.
I fumed about this today. Jason told me I was scaring him.
I spewed irritation from my soapbox for some time before deciding to get down and do something about it.
Jason and I are Hallie's advocate. We will be the ears that listen to Rylie. We will be the voice Hayden hears. We will seek Godly counsel as we raise our children.
The influence I hope to have when she is High School starts now; it started yesterday. It's my job to ensure she's open with me. It's mine and Jason's job to have an open dialogue now that will lead her to make good decisions when she's older.
This news about birth control being recklessly given to girls was like lemons. I decided to make lemonade. I wish I could make lemonade and share it with all of the girls and moms; all the families. But tonight I started with Hallie.
I picked her up from twirling tonight and took a spontaneous, but intentional trip to Target.
Just me and Hallie.
We talked. A lot. We bought Cocoa/Marshmallow Three Musketeers. I told her that I want to be the first person she comes to when she needs to talk. I let her show me what shoes she liked. I listened.
Today I fumed about lemons.
Tonight I shopped and made lemonade.
Ashley
I agree with you completely. Schools have no business what so ever offering these items to our children. By all means treat a headache but not teenage whims. Praying for our country and our children.
It was good seeing you at Target too. My oldest daughter told me that you and your daughter were very pretty and looked like sister. 🙂
Kristi Burden
That's REALLY sweet. A trip to Target was just what I needed. (I think) 🙂
Paul Baker
That's critical - start with your own family. It is a slow process but when you are doing your best to raise your family in Christ and encouraging others to do the same - people change. Any situation where you are able to influence and encourage other mothers and fathers to step it up and they do the same for you is how we change.
I feel helpless when I think of the size of the problem but I feel hopeful when I know Christ in me has a plan for me and those He will influence through me. Hopeful. Encouraged. Renewed. Let us all be transformed by the renewing of our minds for His glory.
(No time to be sensitive about sensitive subjects - great post)
🙂
Kristi Burden
You're right. I stay distracted by this kind of stuff. My first reaction should always be prayer rather than worry or a soapbox. I need constant renewing.
Kristina DeVillier
Well this is disturbing on several levels. Number one you are allowing a teenager to make decisions about their healthcare and they are minors. Most don't have the critical thinking skills needed to make those decisions especially regarding risks vs. benefits of said treatment. Really a doctor can't even see children without consent of the parent. Also in the State of Texas you have to be 18 years of age to buy the morning after pill at the pharmacy. My question would be does the fact that no one checked a box on a slip of paper that may have or may not have reached home constitute parental informed consent? I think not, especially if a poor outcome happens from taking the morning after pill. I'm surprised that the school nurses would go along with administering or dispensing the pill to kids. It will take a poor outcome meaning detrimental physical harm to stop distributing the pill. A good lawsuit so to speak. Of course, the school system being a governmental agency gives them governmental immunity. Even though the school would be protected, the nurse could still be sued individually. Secondly, it is a proven fact that teenagers brains are still developing and this is part of the reason that they make poor decisions or impulsive decisions in the first place. Third, I would think this would negatively influence the use of condoms among teenagers and there would be an increase in sexually transmitted disease. Maybe not, but I would think the thought process of a kid would be "Oh, you don't have protection. No big deal, we will just get the morning after pill tomorrow."
As a parent, citizen, and a nurse--I don't think the people who implemented this program thought it through. It leaves the child to be more vulnerable to peer pressure to have sex, to STD's, and a possible poor outcome related to other health implications that the minor may not share or know is important. More than that it is the parent's place to make those decisions and morally direct, teach, and guide their children where sex is concerned. Glad you posted Kristi. I'm going to share with our Parish Nurse Forum.
Kristi Burden
My understanding is that they implemented this program last year on several schools and have added schools this year. I have lots of questions. Is there a limit to the amount of morning after pills a student can be given. Oh don't get me started again. It's crazy. But getting shaken up is enough to remind me to TALK to my children.
Kristi Burden
One more thing. The fact that 98% of parents haven't returned the note opting out surely to goodness tells them that maybe the parents aren't getting the information. I guarantee that more than 1 to 2% of parents want to know that there kids are active and unprotected needing the pill.