High School Bans Safe-Sex Kits Over Flavored Lube, Candy And Condoms

SWANZEY, N.H. — Officials at a New Hampshire high school say they will no longer allow a group to distribute safe-sex kits to students because the contents include flavored lubricant and candy as well as condoms.

Bruce Barlow of the Monadnock (moh-NAD'-nahk) High School board in Swanzey says school officials had approved the distribution but didn't know the contents.

More than 70 students picked up the kits distributed last month by a group called AIDS Services as part of a World AIDS Day presentation. Some parents were upset.

Susan MacNeil of AIDS Services for the Monadnock Region tells WMUR-TV that it's unfortunate some people are upset. She says the lubricant was included because it reduces the chance of a condom breaking.

The group has been banned from the school district.

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Information from: WMUR-TV, http://wmur.com

Comments

[FaceTheTruth00]

06:02 AM on 01/21/2011

A few things.

1. Why candy? Yes adults and teens eat candy; but candy is generally something associated with kids. Makes is seem like you're trying to appeal to a real young audience by associating sex with candy.

2. The flavored lube. Pointless because almost no one uses condoms for oral sex. But, moreover, it seems the "message" it sends.

My guess is that the school (and probably the parents) agree to sex ed. because they believe it's a "necessary evil" since kids are going to have sex. However, tossing in flavored lubes, candy and "fun-colored" condoms may be more looked at as an "enticement".

The "fear" I suppose is, that these "fun" products will only encourage kids to have sex.

Now, personally, I doubt it's going to make kids have sex if they weren't already planning on it. However, I can kinda see how some people might think that making products "cool" and appealing is going to encourage kids to have sex; perhaps they believe it will encourage those who are not yet really 100% planning on doing it.

[Pundit Commentator]

01:30 AM on 01/13/2011

Fun story.

Condoms? Check. Lubrication? Wow, ok, if you say so. Candy in the safe sex kit? ....um, to build up energy?

I wouldn't ban the group. How hard is it to take out the candy and flavoured lubricants?

[derrickhoyle]

04:22 PM on 01/12/2011

No one uses condoms for oral, but that's a good reason for the flavors. You can still get STDs from oral.

[ckevere]

12:53 PM on 01/12/2011

BUT, BUT THEY'RE OUR CHILDREN! What, are they afraid their kids will choke by putting the lube in their mouths just because it's flavored? It's really pathetic how so many parents would sooner cling to the comfort they have in denying that their children's hormones might just be spiking and they might just be tempted to engage in sexual relations, than the comfort of knowing their children are educated and equipped to handle sexual situations if they choose to engage in them. If the flavored lube is so offensive, just find some standard water-based stuff that the kids won't be tempted to put in their mouths.

[Js420]

09:39 AM on 01/12/2011

Wish i could see the look on those parents face when they find out their little princess got knocked up

[ROSHEMIRA]

11:07 PM on 01/11/2011

well i think that schools shouldn't ban safe-sex health classes, for many reasons such as it's helps many kids know what their going to deal with when they start to deal with sex and also it's going to protect kids from being involved in something that they know nothing of. Also most parents wont talk to their children about it.

[onwisconsin]

05:17 PM on 01/11/2011

Stupid decision. Always happens when "squeaky wheel" parents attack.

Sex is going to happen with teenagers. They had a chance to prevent pregnancies and stop diseases from being spread. Instead, they take the easy way out.

Give the kids the condoms and lube. Teach them how to use both. Tell them that their lives depend on it!

[Acert]

12:06 AM on 01/12/2011

It would be refreshing to see a school district grow some guts and tell "squeaky wheel" parents, as you call them, to just f*** off.

[onwisconsin]

02:23 PM on 01/12/2011

School district administrators and school board members do seem to fear lawsuits so much that they avoid doing the right thing, IMHO. This is a great example. The very possibility that the school district will be seen as doing something improper (in this case probably the flavored lube and the candy) made them react and pull the program. Bad idea. What we know about teenagers is that they are having oral sex at alarming rates and spreading STDs because they don't know they need to use protection -- or worse yet, they think using protection is gross! Showing them that there are products out there that can keep you safe when you are choosing an unsafe act gives them an edge. It's not the school saying here you go, have fun having sex. No, it's a comprehensive sex ed program that talks about all of the risks but also gives protection in case students decide to engage in risky behaviors.

It is unimaginable to me what goes through the heads of people who want to deny protection to kids who are going to have sex -- #1) as if it will stop them and #2) as if denying information will delay the hormones in some way. It's almost as if they want to punish all kids who have sex for life for the decisions they make when their bodies and their minds are still not fully formed. What a bunch of know-nothings.

[DeuxExMachina]

12:19 AM on 01/12/2011

"Sex is going to happen with teenagers"
Hopefully not on the school premises.

"Give the kids the condoms and lube. Teach them how to use both."
What and get teachers to call students to the front of class and demonstrate their favorite love-making positions?

"Tell them that their lives depend on it!"
Meaning, hopefully the girl doesn't get pregnant and that both sets of parents don't find out?

There's a recent HuffPo post about American children just being average academically. The good news is that they should excell in practical biology.

[onwisconsin]

02:25 PM on 01/12/2011

You obviously know nothing about how a real comprehensive sexual education program works.

Unfortunate for your children.

[blogisti]

01:30 PM on 01/11/2011

Properly taught, sex should be endured not tasty. Everyone knows that.

[misanthrope26]

05:17 PM on 01/12/2011

Ha!

[sunnybunny]

03:43 PM on 01/10/2011

A group called "AIDS services" handing out "safe sex kits" does not turn people on to wanting to have sex. Think about it for a minute. When I was a teen ( they were just discovering AIDS but it was scary as hell.) if someone had handed me one of these things, it would've made me think of my risks. I would probably grab a few since in high school I was pretty naughty and would've been reminded to be prepared. It seems overly risque but I can see where it would be effective.

[Oma Ruth]

02:02 PM on 01/10/2011

I guess the flavored lube was poor taste?

[ckevere]

12:58 PM on 01/12/2011

Well played, my good sir.

[thinkingwomanmillstone]

08:14 AM on 01/10/2011

I am totally convinced that the flavored lube and candy is driving the teens to have more sex and more sex. As a matter of fact, they are probably bypassing the sex and just going straight to the lube and eating it right out of the tube. They'll probably get around to sex after they finish the lube and the candy...if the sugar high doesn't make them too antsy. Teens probably never even thought of having sex until the lube and candy and condom kits were offered.

[Abby Delcamp]

09:17 AM on 01/11/2011

This comment made me laugh! I teach high school and it's apparent to all that spend 7 + hours a day with teenagers that they are thinking and talking about sex and many having it as well. Flavored lube isn't going to affect those statistics at all. They might actually get a few more kids to wear condoms especially during oral sex (most kids think oral sex is "safe." without condoms.)

[DeuxExMachina]

09:35 AM on 01/11/2011

"I teach high school and it's apparent to all that spend 7 + hours a day with teenagers that they are thinking and talking about sex and many having it as well. "
I'm sure there are many parents who would love to know the name of your school where you teach if only to avoid sending their children there. I and many other parents would expect their children to go to school to learn and not be getting up to no good.

[1donewrong]

11:45 PM on 01/09/2011

Finally a little leadership from a school board

[Acert]

03:14 AM on 01/10/2011

If by leadership, you mean kowtowing to prudish parents in denial, then yes.

[thinkingwomanmillstone]

01:14 PM on 01/11/2011

Not leading but retreating into the dark ages.

[timotay89]

11:36 PM on 01/09/2011

What better way to get information out there to students than letting it in the school for a bit and then banning it?

[Oma Ruth]

02:00 PM on 01/10/2011

Good point.

[DrMiaRose]

09:16 PM on 01/09/2011

Teenagers are going to have sex no matter how much we would love them to abstain. As such, I think open communication is the key and any effort to promote safe sex should be applauded.

Being upset about the flavoured lube being included in the kit is like saying, 'okay, use a condom if you absolutely have to have sex, but please just don't enjoy the experience.' I see so many adults in the therapy room who are in committed relationships but still experience sexual guilt based on the way that they were socialized to think about sex by parents and educators in their early years.

Sex is a good thing. It's also a good thing to wait until you're mature enough to handle all the implications of being sexually active (which most teens certainly aren't). I don't know the answer to how we can get that message across to teens, but I do know banning safe sex kits isn't it.

Warm wishes,
Mia Rose
http://www.better-sex-for-women.com

[1donewrong]

11:47 PM on 01/09/2011

good make sure you train your kids and I'll parent mine. Over 1 million babya are disposed of every year. far better to let them see what really happens

[Acert]

03:15 AM on 01/10/2011

"Over 1 million babya are disposed of every year"

And cutting off access to condoms would make that figure worse.

[thinkingwomanmillstone]

08:15 AM on 01/10/2011

Perhaps if they passed out condoms in your church, your supermarket on the street corner and in schools, we'd prevent a lot of those babies being conceived. Of course that's if you are truly interested in preventing abortions, rather than punishing people for having them. God helps those who help themselves.

[SitandStay]

09:42 AM on 01/09/2011

Here is a perfect example of why these kits are being distributed at schools. The ones distributing them are not afraid to have a dialogue, however brief, with the students. If you are a parent and feel the least bit secure about your conversations and communication with your child, then you would not be threatened by this. I would be questioning the quality of the product and talking with my child about statistics and practices.
I tried everything (and it has worked out very well, he is married and 31 years old) and not the least was having him listen to and understand the lyrics of Meat Loaf's song Paradise By The Dashboard Light. Excellently thought provoking for an impulsive teenager.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN_YjM4V4fc

[cinemaven]

04:57 PM on 01/09/2011

Fanned and faved for that ... Paradise by the Dashboard Light should be required listening for all preteens.

[thinkingwomanmillstone]

09:55 PM on 01/09/2011

I agree totally. Sex is a topic that was addressed in our house honestly and calmly from toddler questions to adult questions. The 'sex talk' is not a one hour discussion when the chid hits puberty but a life long dialogue. We discussed birth control, stds etc. in the same way that we discussed a reading list, current event or geography lesson. They didn't become promiscuous....nor did they become parents in high school. II always told my teenagers that they may be infatuated or attracted to a boy or girl but to take a very long and close look at their love interest's parents because if they get pregnant they will have a life long interaction with those parents(future grandparents or in laws) regardless of whether the romantic relationship works out. That often caused cooler heads. We listened to Meatloaf, too.