Schools may soon give out condoms

Chris Osuh and Sue Carr

June 22, 2006

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CONDOMS: Controversial.

CONDOMS could be handed out in some Greater Manchester secondary schools to cut the number of teenage pregnancies.

Contraceptives could be distributed to girls and boys aged 14 and 15 in Tameside if plans are approved by the council.

The recommendations are made in a report called a Review Of Teenage Pregnancy In Tameside, but the plan is opposed by local Catholics.

Cheryl Eastwood, of Tameside Teenage Pregnancy Board, said: "The recommendation followed discussions among Year 10 pupils, who generally thought it would be a good idea.

"They were concerned that this may also encourage under-age sex and this has to be considered very carefully. Any decision about providing condoms would require close consideration with relevant organisations and no decision would be made without full consultation with parents, young people, headteachers and governors."

Coun Allison Gwynne admitted the plans would spark controversy if approved.

She said: "It would be contentious if it went ahead but we did a big consultation with young people about this.

'Informed decision'

"If teenagers want to have sex, they will. I think it's very important that we give young people a solid, sound sex education and all the information they need to make an informed decision."

Father Michael Walsh, spokesman for the Diocese of Salford, sat on the panel which drafted the report.

He said: "The Catholic point of view is that giving condoms out in schools would not be a good idea. It's not to say we are not concerned about teenage pregnancy, but we don't really agree with condoms.

"You are dealing with young people and we shouldn't really be encouraging premarital sex."

According to figures from the Office of National Statistics, Tameside recorded 246 teenage pregnancies in 2004 - the fifth highest in Greater Manchester.

Tameside's plans to distribute condoms were welcomed by Stephanie Mallas, director of Manchester Brook Advisory Centre.

David Heyes, MP for Ashton under Lyne, said: "It's important that everybody in Tameside takes the issue of teenage pregnancy seriously."

WHAT do you think of these plans? Have your say.

PLUS: Take part in our Poll of the Day.

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Showing comments 1 to 15 and replies | View All

Jo, Manc (22/06/2006 at 10:32)

Wheather you encourage it or not is not the issue. Teens are already doing it, I think it is a long overdue cause. Better education and openess is the way to go. Teens need to be educated more about the dangers of not using protection, STD's and the emotional aspected of what they are doing.

Bonzo, Cork (22/06/2006 at 11:09)

Maybe a dose of morality would be more appropriate.

anton, stockport (22/06/2006 at 11:17)

Not at Stockport School.My 12 year old daughter was told in her class by the teacher that its ok to use clingfilm or a empty crisp packet.What chance have our kids got in this society today

Joey, Ashton under Lyne (22/06/2006 at 12:35)

I think it is one generation to late.
The parents of the children should be telling them they are way too young to engage in penetatrive sex. How many young girls are "grown up enough" to refuse their BF if they say " I havn't got one" when they have been sexually involved. "I'll be careful" rings hollow when you are missing school leasons to go to the clinic - Maternity or Sexually Transmitted. You havn't got a choice - thats the legacy that your parnter provides

concerend mum, middleton (22/06/2006 at 13:07)

i can see some peoples point towards not giving them out in schools.
i personally think it is a good idea as lets face it now a days most young people have acctually had sex before the legal age.
but i cant see other points as to why they should not give them out in school .
i could see some youngsters being felt like they are being pressuerd into having sex.
i hope this works and they can provide them in schools as there might be less teenage mummys.

Steve Holmes, Manchester (22/06/2006 at 13:31)

Yes another admission of complete failure. 14 and 15 year olds should not be having sex, with or without condoms. The only certain way to prevent pregnancy and STDs is abstinence from sex, not to mention the moral issues.

Anon, Stretford (22/06/2006 at 13:50)

I don't know about handing out condoms; perhaps instead they would do better to actually teach children (both sexes) that sexual intercourse under the age of 16 is illegal and can carry a jail sentence. Sexual intercourse with a female under the age of 13 is statutory rape, and no, you don't get to go home, like in Monopoly, you get sent straight to jail!

Perhaps if these little gems were discussed (and they're not), then the kiddiwinkies won't be producing kiddiwinkies of their own, at least not until they've go a National Insurance number and are old enough to go out to work!

Dave Pickup, Spain (22/06/2006 at 14:28)

Don't be daft! They will be selling them rather than make use of them.Seriously though,the authorities are encouraging promiscuity; the kids will be 'at it' in the school toilets and when caught,will use the excuse that they were,in a way,given permission!

Joe Public, Manchester (22/06/2006 at 15:43)

It appears that teachers are about to find out that condoms filled with water make excellent water bombs

x, planet x (22/06/2006 at 16:09)

It's all very well talking about abstinence and morality, but that doesn't change babies' nappies or treat sexually transmitted diseases. Perhaps the grown ups should grow up and accept that promoting safe sex does not equal promoting sex. If I'm honest, pregnancy isn't my concern with respect to teenagers having sex. It's the huge number of kids contracting HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea, HPV, hepatitis and all the other horrible STDs that really worries me. It's funny how people criticise schools for teen sex - I thought instilling morality and responsibility was more the role of parents...

Disgruntled, Greater Manchester, UK (22/06/2006 at 16:18)

So how do WE as society change the attitudes of young people? I'd love yto know as i could just sit and cry when you see the young generation of today and listen to them. All they are bothered about is getting drunk, stoned and seeing who sh***ed who on Saturday night. Go on any internet chat room and look at what the little darlings are typing to eachother. BAH!

kim, rome (22/06/2006 at 17:06)

what kind of place are they creating to live in its bad now with the vermin that live there now i am glad we moved out of manchester years ago this give the kids an example of the moral standards of that area

tom, canada (22/06/2006 at 17:36)

so what about something for underage drinking underage smoking under educated something for moral standards or scum parents who have no control over there kids or the vermin running the streets beating mugging people or an injection for the peole running that country is the tail wagging the dog i know let them go to school when they want to or feel like it

B.Capes, STOCKPORT (22/06/2006 at 18:54)

Children of all ages know about contraception these days,where to get them etc.but the pregnancy rate amongst tenagers continues to rise because it is "cool" to be pregnant and be handsomely paid for producing a "kid".The most effective form of contraception would be to STOP ALL BENEFITS for teenage mothers,their problem is that they are more interested in what's between their legs than what's between their ears

Sue Andrews, Manchester (22/06/2006 at 20:32)

I work at several schools in Manchester (not Tameside) and we have been giving condoms to young people for the last 7 years. Teenage Pregnancy Rates are just one of the issues condoms tackle, Sexually Transmitted Infections are the other big issues the backwards catholic chuch don't see to care young people are also exposed to. Maybe they'd like us to promote not using condoms as well? Young People have sex, often at a very young age. It's a fact of life and their safety should NOT be compromised by a few old dinosaurs with tea towels over their heads whose only concern is what apparently jesus wanted 2000 years ago and enforcing that on others.

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