by Melanie Winters

Created on: May 27, 2008

As a parent of 5 children, 2 of whom are already teens, this is a fairly common discussion in our home. My view is not widely accepted nor welcomed by most, but I am not so old as to not remember my own teenage years. When I was a kid, talk of birth control, sexual feelings and the myriad of questions that resulted from my thoughts, were not acceptable conversations to have with your parents. I was one of the very few, lucky kids who had a school nurse that was open to not only discussing my situations but also open to helping me secure the appropriate precautions needed to protect against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Our views as parents today have not changed that much. We are still unbelievably stubborn when it comes to the realization that our children are fast becoming adults. We want to wrap them in a protective cocoon and keep them at the age of 5, when they were potty trained, could dress and feed themselves but were not so forward that they had their own thoughts. Mom and Dad were the kings and queens of their lives, and that was all that mattered.

It is time for us to realize that our children are developing and maturing at an unbelievably fast rate in this day and age. Whether you choose to blame it on society, factors such as games, television or school, the reality remains that your teenager has questions and thoughts that must be entertained and discussed with someone they trust. Most parents are not open to these discussions or to accepting the fact that their son or daughter has thoughts we all hoped they wouldn't have till they were 40. If you, as a parent, cannot accept the fact that your teenager is growing up and will, in several very short years, be an adult, then it is time to allow some freedom in our schools for professionals to take over.

As a parent, you put your trust into our school officials and employees to raise your children. You allow them to instruct them, provide their thoughts and beliefs on a silver platter to your impressionable child and you believe with all your heart that they will not break your trust. Why, then, would you not allow them to discuss topics such as birth control and ways to prevent things such as sexually transmitted diseases?

Face the fact that times are a changing. We impose upon our children at a young age that they should not speak to strangers, they should not use drugs, they should not hit, bite, scratch or otherwise hurt another, they should learn to share...the list goes on and on. Is it not natural that we should also teach them about practices such as safe sex?

I wholeheartedly and loudly say yes, it is time! Allow your children to have access to the things that will protect them through what is left of their childhood. Teach them your values that sex is something that is best left untouched until they are an adult, but allow them to be able to protect themselves when they decide that your morals are not necessarily their own morals and values. Give them the opportunity to discuss within a safe environment, with a trusted professional, their thoughts, their urges and their ideas.

After all, if you as a parent, were open to discuss these issues with your child and provide them with the necessary information and if needed, the ability to protect themselves, birth control in schools would no longer be an issue. Your children will act on their urges, regardless of your beliefs or that of your school systems beliefs. Is it not time for us to provide them with a safe environment to learn about sex, protection and relationships?

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