'What is happening to this country?' Outrage erupts as Chicago announces it will provide free CONDOMS to all public school children ages 10 and up
A new public school policy in Chicago will require schools to make condoms available to kids as young as 10 years old, sparking backlash from parents and religious figures.
The new policy was passed back in December 2020, but wasn't able to be fully implemented until schools reopen fully next month due to the pandemic.
One tenet of the policy states: 'Schools that teach grade 5th and up must maintain a condom availability program.'
'CPS provides guidance regarding the notification to parents and access to condoms by approved school representatives. Condoms are provided at no cost by the Chicago Department of Public Health in an ongoing effort to mitigate the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection, and unintended pregnancy among CPS students,' the policy reads.
A similar part of the policy makes female menstrual hygiene products available for free as well.
A new public school policy in Chicago will require schools to make condoms available to kids as young as 10 years old (stock pictured)
There are over 600 schools in the Chicago Public Schools system, most of which have grade levels of fifth or higher
'All schools shall make menstrual hygiene products available, at no cost to students, in at least one bathroom in the school building,' the policy reads.
There are over 600 schools in the Chicago Public Schools system, most of which have grade levels of fifth or higher.
Previously, principals were the main arbiters in deciding how sex education and resources were dealt with in their individual schools.
Elementary schools will receive 250 condoms initially from the Chicago Department of Public Health, while high schools will receive 1,000.
When they run out, principals will be tasked with asking for more from CPS and the CDPH.
'Young people have the right to accurate and clear information to make healthy decisions,' CPS’ top doctor, Kenneth Fox, said in a recent interview, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
'And they need access to resources to protect their health and the health of others as they act on those decisions,' Fox continued.
The 'Condom Availability Program' policy that was approved in December 2020
Elementary schools will receive 250 condoms initially from the Chicago Department of Public Health, while high schools will receive 1,000 (stock pictured)
Fox will provide a letter to schools for parents about the policy, which dictates that the condoms be left in easily accessible, yet private locations.
'Essentially what we want to do is make condoms available to students for if and when they think they need them,' Fox said.
'When you don’t have those protections and don’t make those resources available then bad stuff happens to young people. You have elevated risks of sexually transmitted infections, of unintended pregnancies, and that’s very preventable stuff,' Fox added.
Fox also spoke of why the program starts with fifth graders, saying it was 'informed by a developmental understanding of children.'
The sex ed curriculum in the district also touches upon it, saying: 'CPS stresses that choosing to not have sex is the norm for 5th graders. Parents/guardians should be notified by their school if a condom demonstration will be provided.'
'The science is clear: providing an age-appropriate, medically advised and supported, comprehensive sexual health education centered on social-emotional well-being, paired with access to contraceptives can lead to fewer unintended pregnancies, fewer Sexually Transmitted Infections (like HIV/AIDS), and more safe and meaningful relationships,' Chicago Public Schools Press Secretary James Gherardi said in a statement to Newsweek.
Scout Bratt, who serves as an outreach and education director at the Chicago Women’s Health Center, defended the policy, which the center helped consult on creating.
'I want to be really clear that the existence of condoms does not mean that all students are going to be using those condoms or encouraged to use them,' Bratt said. 'It’s a harm reduction approach.'
Not everyone is on board with the new policy, though.
'My question is, "Oh my God, how is it that CPS wants to give condoms to kids?"' Maria Serrano said in Spanish; her daughter will be a sophomore in high school next year.
'They are 10 years old, 11, 12. They are kids. So why is CPS thinking about providing condoms? Why not provide them information, and at the end give them the resource of a condom when they are prepared to use those resources they want to provide.'
Serrano added, 'For me, this isn’t the best option. They are doing things backwards.'
She also criticized CPS, claiming she only knew about the program from advocacy work and not from the district itself.
Chris Trezza tweeted, 'This is outrageous!'
Andrew Pollack shared in the outrage, tweeting: 'What about taking on the gangs so children can walk to school without the fear of being shot instead?'
One user tweeted, 'Last time I checked, elementary schools kids were btw the ages of 6-11. (What is happening to this country).'
Another said, 'Absolutely, how disgusting that they would even suggest to elementary school children that they might need condoms. Sick world that we live in.'
Lauren Beitler, however, was able to poke some fun at the situation.
'I applaud this! Will they really have the CPS logo on them? Kind of amazing branding if so,' Beitler tweeted.
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