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On Monday, eighth-graders Cheyenne Byrd and Victoria Shoemaker came to school wearing tank tops written with “Safe Sex or No Sex” and condom packages pinned to them.
Wood River-East Alton Elementary Superintendent Mark Cappel said the girls were asked to change their shirts, and refused. The girls told him they did not believe the school’s abstinence-only sex education program was enough.
“I explained that they have an avenue to (discuss issues) through character education class meetings held once a month,” Cappel said.
The girls still refused to change their shirts, and thus were suspended for two days for dress code violation and insubordination.
There’s a decent interview with the girls on local TV – including commercials – but, it doesn’t work on all browsers all the time.
What’s the problem? While I support there intentions (being heard on the subject) they defied authority and got busted. They made their point, got noticed. Time to move back to the main-lines. As far as I’m concerned, this is a non-story any more than the kid that throws a spit ball at the kid in the front of the class and gets detention.
If they choose to disobey and take the consequences (punishment), that is their choice. But I certainly should not be let off the hook.
The popularist view of what is “right” – “Most of the students are on our side,” Victoria said.
Hate to say it but.. if your friends all thought it was a good idea to jump off a bridge….
Come on… we’re talkin’ 8th graders here! Setting policy at an elementary school where there are 8 and 9 year olds!
Allow children to dictate policy and next thing you know, the inmates will run the prisons… err… okay bad example.
Good for them (the girls)!
Still looks like the local middle school dimbulbs are as backwards as the college administrators. They’re all doing a “moral” job of preparing young people for the real world.
I would agree with #1.
It’s an eighth grader, for crying out loud.
This will likely be my first and last instance of agreeing with the right wing fanatics
One is 15 – and they’re both denied sex-ed for the same political rationales. I don’t doubt the same crap is what’s going on at the colleges mentioned in the article.
I didn’t have a problems reading about sex-ed when I was in 8th grade. Maybe some of you are just slow learners? 🙂
By the time American teens are 16, 20% are sexually active. So, which is it? Keep them ignorant or have the rules of Old Testament old farts require ignorance?
moss, they’re doing a great job. If I come to work in a Hooters shirt I’m going to be sent home, or charged with harassment. The school has rules, the kids know them, and the principal makes the judgment calls. There IS a place to challenge the curriculum, starting with school board meetings. The classroom is NOT the place.
If you’re referring to the abstinence-only issue, then I’m with you 100%. The funding for those programs comes from, take a guess…..Bushco. Yes, the fed will fund a-only but won’t fund programs that cover birth control or STDs. Brilliant.
You can be so liberal your brains fall out of your head. I fully agree that an abstinence only program of teaching is likely to fail a certain fraction of the students. On the other hand, a “if you’re going to do it, do it this way” message has a subtext of “this isn’t that bad a thing to do” that will at least partially drown out any other (dissonant) messages.
So slogans like “safe sex or no sex” carry a “sex [among 8th graders!] is not so bad” subtext. Do we want our schools to support that subtext? I, for one, do not. I’ll handle those issues myself, as a parent, and I believe it’s every parent’s duty to do the same for their own kids. And I care not a wit that there are parents who won’t fulfill this responsibility. It’s not the school’s duty to compensate for bad parenting.
And, no, an 8th grade student does NOT have the right to free speech within their classroom.
#1 – tweak-me
“Come on… we’re talkin’ 8th graders here! Setting policy at an elementary school where there are 8 and 9 year olds!”
No, that ain’t it. It’s not “at an elementary school,” it’s that the H.S. shares one hallway with the elementary school, and their shirts “might be seen by an el student.” Not ‘policy’. A kid MIGHT SEE their message. Wow. As if elementary kids would even give a shit. To a kid of that age, one glance and he or she knows it’s obviously about one of those causes that older kids and adults are always making some big deal about, and in which they’re not remotely interested. Normal prepubescent kids have other things on their minds. Get real.
The golden rule of Colleges:
Parents keep their daughters from having sex in high school so they can have all the sex they want in college.
#9 …
By that logic, you don’t mind if the school puts in a strip club in the middle of the pre-pubescent’s classroom. Because those younger students wouldn’t understand and have other things on their mind to care.
Maybe we shouldn’t have langauge restrictions in school. Because those young kids are too distracted to pick up on the older kid’s swearing like a drunken sailor on shore leave with a $2 whore. =)
– Ben
Maybe the girls just needed something more shocking & edgy written on their tank tops, like: “Even Safe Sex Makes Babies.”
RBG
By pinning the condom packets on their tank tops, the girls were apparently pinning their hopes for safe sex on condoms.
Such foolishness. The tank tops should rather have stated
Reduced Risk Sex* or No Sex
*Side effects may include unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and, on rare occasions, death.
What’s the problem? While I support there intentions (being heard on the subject) they defied authority and got busted.
The problem is that under Tinker, the authorities can’t impose content-based restrictions on T-shirts — they can ban shirts that disrupt the learning environment or, as with the Bonghits4Jesus case, that encourage illegal activities, but opposing the school’s sex-education program is protected speech.
I’m sure if kids came to school saying that teaching evolution isn’t enough, you would feel the exact same way.
Ya know, what? Screw all of the hippy-dippy idiots who think that it is acceptable for an EIGHTH GRADER to be having ANY kind of sexual contact.
That kind of crap is what leads to the total moral decline in this country.
BTW, I’m a moral conservative yes (not a religious right though), but Bush and his cronies suck! They aren’t anything near true conservatives.
What exactly do people who support these girls think ‘safe sex’ is?
If you do your homework, you’ll find that most teens who are having
sex and are using condoms don’t use them correctly or every time.
Plus the condoms break quite often.
So how is this safe sex?
Pregnancy is not desired for our teens. It’s a hard road, but survivable.
But there are many STD’s that are even more difficult to bear.
Have any of you heard of the STD, HPV before?
A condom isn’t guaranteed protection from this awful disease.
And, you can contract it just by touching ‘particular areas’ of the body.
20 million people currently have this disease many contracted in their teens.
About 6.2 million Americans get a new HPV infection each year.
Don’t believe me…check out the Center of Disease Control’s website.
And if you think that the Gardisil shot will protect your teen,
the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV.
It only protects from four strains and there are 30.
And it also greatly increases your daughter or future daughter in laws
risk for cervical cancer; many years down the road.
I’ve talked with Many teens both male and female who have been involved
sexually. I can tell you that most regret it and wish they’d waited.
So, wouldn’t you prefer your teens wait for a partner who is 100% positive that
they’ll not bring disease into their lives. Or don’t you prefer your teen find a spouse one day
that doesn’t bring a bunch of horrible baggage with them? Or find out that they now have cervical
cancer from a bad choice when they were a teen?
I know I do. I want the absolute best for my kids. That’s why I teach them to wait
for ALL sexual activity until marriage.
#18–Angela==and what would you teach your teen if he/she decided they were going to have sex?
What would you want teens taught who won’t go to their parents because the parents won’t discuss the subject beyond saying “Don’t do it” and THEY have decided to have sex?
Condoms, go bareback, or give your stump speech all over again?
#1, Twinky,
What’s the problem? While I support there intentions (being heard on the subject) they defied authority and got busted.
Wrong. They have a legal right to wear clothing with a message. Even if the administration disapproves.
If the school allows students to wear clothing supporting the school teams, then they can not prevent other messages provided the message will not cause overt disruption in the school beyond the mere policy positions of the school administration.
#7, Olo,
The school has rules, the kids know them, and the principal makes the judgment calls.
See my response in #1.
#9, Kwadguy,
So slogans like “safe sex or no sex” carry a “sex [among 8th graders!] is not so bad” subtext. Do we want our schools to support that subtext? I, for one, do not.
Hey, get a life. Hormones start kicking in at around age 10. Over the next couple of years puberty makes its appearance and everyone ends up well aware of the situation. Eighth grade, shit, fifth grade is no different. Kids know it and know all about it. Only sometimes they didn’t learn the correct crap.
Covering your eyes and shouting some nonsensical words over and over will not change that fact. Kids will experiment and some will get pregnant. Some will end up with STDs. Some will be caught and get wupped by their parents. BUT IT WILL HAPPEN !!!
So now how will you accommodate that? Cover your eyes and repeat … .
#11, Angel,
You horney hetro bastard you.
#13, RBG
Sure, but then that would be disingenuous and the girls were aiming for honesty.
#14, Somnolent,
*Side effects may include unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and, on rare occasions, death.
See my response to #13
#17, Crappypoet,
Ya know, what? Screw all of the hippy-dippy idiots who think that it is acceptable for an EIGHTH GRADER to be having ANY kind of sexual contact.
Who said anyone approves of having sex at that age. What you might have missed in your addled mind is the fact that kids will sex today whether or not you like it or not.
BTW, I’m a moral conservative yes (not a religious right though), but Bush and his cronies suck! They aren’t anything near true conservatives.
So, you think Hitler was too lenient with those damn Ukrainians?
#18, Angela,
What exactly do people who support these girls think ’safe sex’ is? If you do your homework, you’ll find that most teens who are having sex and are using condoms don’t use them correctly or every time.
Geeze, ya think ??? Maybe they should be taught how to use them properly then.
And if you think that the Gardisil shot will protect your teen, the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV. It only protects from four strains and there are 30. And it also greatly increases your daughter or future daughter in laws risk for cervical cancer; many years down the road.
Duh, Actually Angela, it REDUCES the risk, not increases the risk. Those four strains account for the vast majority of human papillomavirus known to cause cancer. Over 100 strains have been identified to date and most are benign. Get immunized and your chance of contracting the serious viruses are vastly reduced. Not a guarantee, but a significant reduction in risk.
I’ve talked with Many teens both male and female who have been involved sexually. I can tell you that most regret it and wish they’d waited.
You sound like a youth pastor. I know a lot of people that had sex at an early age and NONE have expressed misgivings about the sex. Of coarse I probably have more respect for them than you do.
So, wouldn’t you prefer your teens wait for a partner who is 100% positive that they’ll not bring disease into their lives. …
I guess no one told you the only sure things in life are death and taxes.
I know I do. I want the absolute best for my kids. That’s why I teach them to wait for ALL sexual activity until marriage.
Did you put a chastity belt on your daughters? Do your boys have locked jock straps over their penises? Do you go on dates with them? Do you home school your kids too? Have you taught them how evolution is a crock?
I know I was a bit of a horndog as a kid. Was thinking about sex as early as elementary school. Though by the time I finally got to start having sex at 15, I had so much pent up sexual tension that I was starting to think maybe I should see what girls were like just so I could at least get some. Thanks goodness I finally met a guy.
In my school sex-ed consisted of a on day or so lesson in Health class in Freshman/Sophomore year. Skirting the gay/lesbian topic and mostly saying sex was bad. But if you do it, use a condom. Next topic.
If sex is so bad, then why do so many parents have sex then? The best way to lose a child’s trust is to give them the “do as I say, not as I do” line.
20 MC: Provide your stat for an insignificant failure rate of “safe”-sex and then we’ll talk about who is disingenuous.
RBG
I am not a youth pastor but I am someone who cares enough about youth to invest my time into making a difference in society other than mouthing off at people with fruitless comments.
So, you think that teaching teenagers how to use a condom is going to make things better?
Seriously?! You obviously don’t work with youth. So, when a teenage girl demands that her boyfriend put the condom on correctly so that she avoids pregnancy and an STD, where does that play in when he’s done with her and her heart is broken. And because she can’t stand the rejection, she begins ‘self cutting’ herself. And then when that doesn’t bring relief she begins to take pills or alcohol at 12 or 13?
Do you not know these things go hand in hand quite often?
Do you think this is rare? Think again.
And, do you think this only happens in families on public assistance?
These kids might be your neighbors or relatives. And, you may not even know it.
America needs to wake up. Get your head out of the sand. It’s not about condoms it’s about these kids emotional state. It’s about truly reaching these kids before it’s too late through our community resources.
When kids grow up with love, respect, honesty, the ability to talk with their parents about anything (including sex), knowing that their parents are there for them no matter what and you instill morals in them from day one, you will produce teens that will be set apart from the rest. And there is such a thing. I have two! Are they perfect, no, but my kids have seen the difference in teens having relationship after relationship, sex outside of marriage, friends having babies, and the ‘drama’ that goes with it. They know that is not what they want in their lives. They have chosen that themselves. And they know it takes self control.
Did I guide them to that path, yes, with the hopes they would make that decision.
You know how I know that? Because we talk. Communication is key. And you better be ready to answer the tough questions; all of them. Talking about the reality of temptation, peer pressure, etc., doesn’t change the message. And the message is wait until marriage for sex and you will be free from sexual diseases, babies until you’re ready, not bringing a bunch of baggage with you. As long as you expect nothing but the best for your life and marry someone with the same goals.
I feel sorry for anyone who does not realize that this is possible for every single person in society.
Today’s society wants everything now. They want instant self gratification. There’s no self control! Fast food, debt up to their eyeballs, affairs, what next??
Teens need to be taught to set goals, how to stay on a path to accomplish them and having a baby as a teen boy doesn’t mix well with that plan. It’s feasible but very difficult.
The standard that you set will make all the difference in the next generations.
And if parents won’t teach these things then the school gets to fill the gap. Thank God for schools who teach morals that will give these kids a chance in life for happiness, health and hope.
#25–nominated for the most confused disconnected self-referential post I’ve yet read. No understanding of a public program of safe sex education and abstinence advocacy at all. You sound home schooled.
Bobbo, you and I both know I made the point I wanted to make. You obviously aren’t educated enough to figure out the big words. It’s ok.
#27–OK, I’ll play. The point I got from your post is that the kiddies should not be taught safe condom use because they don’t work and when their hearts get broken they will start cutting on themselves. Your evidence for this is what you have personally observed.
National experts who are not youth pastors (gag!)in the majority report that condoms do work and that STD are reduced for the kiddies. Seems the sexual experiences of the kiddies is not that much different except that the abstinence only crowd get MORE STD’s and higher pregnancies than do the safe sex crowd.
Now, for fun, lets not argue about what reality is. Instead, I will say that “if” abstinence only programs actually worked, I would be for them.
Will you say the same for safe sex programs?
Are you serious?
About a third (34%) of young women become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20 – about 820,000 a year(1), and approximately four million teens contract a sexually transmitted disease each year.(2)
Nearly all (98%) teens 15 -19 report using at least one method of birth control.(3)
1. SK Henshaw 2003
2. American Social Health Association 1998
3. National Center for Health Statistics 2004
JC Abma et al. 2002
New life created 820,000 times a year – accidently. You know something? It ain’t working. Think of something else.
RBG
I realize I’m replying months after this was posted, but I figure it’s better late than never, right?
Thank you Mister Catshit. You’ve basically summed up what I’ve been wanting to say.
As a teen attending a highschool that promotes sex education with all the “nitty-gritty” details, I would like to inform you all that I have chosen not to have sex for now. I have made that choice myself. My parents have been very open with me about my choices, have kept communication open, and HAVEN’T FORCED anything on me. The point many of us are trying to make is that you can’t put kids in an absinance-only program, because if they DO decide to have sex before marriage, they won’t know how to protect themselves from STDs, unwanted pregnancies and the like. I believe it really helps to know all the facts, because with them, most kids are much more careful, or just outright choose not to become sexually active. I doubt I’ll wait until marriage to have sex, but I sure as Hell won’t do anything until I’m close to finishing my college education. Another thing I like to say is, even though we may be physically ready to have babies, we might not be ready mentally or emotionally. That’s my personal opinion, and that’s what I’m sticking to. But seriously, if anyone thinks keeping the facts from kids who are gonna get it on is going to help, those people really need a reality check.
I do see the point you’re making. But I really do believe that it’s best to equip us with the tools and information we need to stay safe, regardless of what we choose.