Thursday, 1 July, 2004

Adams: Condom-dispensing schools doing a disservice

Schools handing out condoms to students attending school balls are blatantly disrespecting the role and rights of parents, United Future's Paul Adams said today.

"They ask parents' permission to send students to a sports day, but then with a nod and a wink, they quietly pop a condom or two in with the ticket to the school ball," Mr Adams said.

"Something is very amiss in the whole thinking here, and in the end, both the parents and the students are the losers because families are having matters taken out of their hands," he said.

"This simply undermines parental responsibility and the opportunity for them to have a guiding role in how their teens approach sex," United Future's youth spokesman said.

Mr Adams was also highly critical of the lack of the abstinence option being presented to students.

"There are international programmes with a proven track record of, at the very least, delaying sexual activity until they are old enough to better handle the consequences.

"These schools appear to be keen on delaying it only until later that evening in the backseat of a car at the after-ball party.

"Is it so ridiculous to think that with the ball ticket could come some information on really looking after and respecting themselves?" Mr Adams asked.

ENDS

© Scoop Media