Access to full range of health services at church-backed school?

Parents Forum
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<p>stickershock, let me try again: I was responding to your comment that, for those who choose to have sex, condoms might prevent disease and pregnancy but not emotional harm. My analogy suggested that, for those who choose to drive 80 MPH down the highway, seat belts might prevent death or dismemberment but not speeding tickets. Is that clearer? Do you see what I mean? Do you believe that restricting access to a seat belt will make your child safer?</p>

<p>We don't disagree that college kids have access to condoms. They're not cheap, though, for kids on a tight budget. Or particularly convenient if it involves a shopping trip. And for shy young women, purchasing condoms at the 7/11 isn't going to be fun. (Yes, college women do stock condoms these days; pills and diaphragms don't protect against STDs.)</p>

<p>The "tragedy" idad referred to wasn't the inconvenience of shopping for condoms, it was the possibility of unwanted pregnancy and disease for kids shipped off unprepared to colleges that don't provide reproductive health services.</p>

<p>As for "encouraging casual hook-ups" -- well, that's the crux of our disagreement. I don't see that access to condoms "encourages" sex any more than access to antibiotics "encourages" carelessness with handwashing.</p>

<p>I am very happy that D's college serves healthy food though.</p>

42

<p>
[quote]
They're not cheap, though, for kids of a tight budget. Or particularly convenient if it involves a shopping trip. And for a shy young woman, purchasing condoms at the 7/11 isn't going to be fun. ... pills and diaphragms don't protect against stds.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>More parody, but the last sentence caught my eye most in the above.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.hopepregnancy.com/std.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.hopepregnancy.com/std.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>A good info sheet on stds. Some excerpts:</p>

<p>
[quote]
pre-1960's - Syphillis and gonorrhea are the only major stds.
There are presently more than 25 significant stds (Center for Disease Control). It is important to note that this is not just a case of medical science diagnosing what has existed all along. These are NEW diseases, caused by sexual activity with multiple partners. Viruses continue to mutate and multiply, all the while becoming resistant to treatment.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>
[quote]
Condoms are used correctly less than 50% of the time. Condoms provide the best (though not complete) protection against HIV and Gonorrhea. They are less effective protecting against Herpes 2 and Chlamydia. Condoms provide litttle protection against bacterial vaginosis and HPV (the most common std). Condoms must be used consistently and correctly each time to protect against infection.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Somehow I don't think that placing fishbowls of condoms in the bathrooms of dorms is the way to "protect" our kids.</p>

<p>I know there are nurses, doctors and medical scientists here who can speak to this issue much better than I can. The link I provided gives some clear information.</p>

<p>P.S. I just pulled the link quickly off the internet; I have no affiliation with the group, nor have I ever heard of it! I'm sure the CDC website can provide the same info.</p>

43

<p>Well, "Here's Hoping" for all college kids to practice abstinence. And "Here's Hoping" for whorled peas while we're at it. ;)</p>

44

<p>I don't think anyone mentioned abstinence, weenie.
And there is such a thing as self-control, btw. Another disservice we do to our kids is implying that they have none, imo.</p>

45

<p>I share hereshoping's eye-rolling in this instance. It's true that it may come as a shock in this day and age that access to contraception (not to mention abortion) would be limited in a college health clinic. I bet, though, for most kids, it would be a very short-lived shock. Between Planned Parenthood and the information highway students themselves share, they should quickly find an alternative to the college health clinic. If they can't figure out an alternative -- they'll hve much bigger problems later in life, and I mean beyond unwanted pregnancy and/or STDs. </p>

<p>Look back on your own college days. We, their parents -- figured it out. They will too. Relax.</p>

46

<p>^ Given the link, I just assumed you were talking about abstinence. Sorry if I was mistaken.</p>

<p>Kataliamom: It's good your kid knows where the Planned Parenthood clinic is, and that she can get there easily. Presumably, she doesn't need the health center because her area has a hospital and some doctors too?</p>

<p>My own college days? That would be the very friendly, very reliable health center at SUNY Bing. Kept most of us healthy and well. ;)</p>

<p>Yikes. I'm done with this conversation. May all your kids be protected and safe.</p>

47

<p>"With sex comes adult responsibility. Or should. Unfortunately, that birthright is being taken away from these poor kids."</p>

<p>Wait a minute, what exactly is being "taken" from the kids? How does a peer-provided bowl of condoms force or even encourage students to abandon adult responsibility? There were condoms in my dorm; what have I lost that makes me a "poor kid"? </p>

<p>Re: the idea that kids who aren't ready to plan ahead and buy their own condoms aren't ready for sex...I agree. But they REALLY aren't ready to be parents, and I don't see how it helps avoid pregnancy to put the condoms farther away. Do you suppose that these immature, impulsive kids are going to skip out on a sex opportunity because the condoms are inconvenient? Heck no! But if the condoms are right there, and the cool kids are using them, they just might go ahead and grab one.</p>

48

<p>weenie, my daughter probably doesn't know where the Planned Parenthood clinic is for the simple reason that she doesn't need to. She attends a large university with a health clinic & hospital which will meet her needs. </p>

<p>HOWEVER if she needed to find out where a PP clinic was, I'm confident she'd know how. The phone book, for one. Her computer and friends, for two/three. </p>

<p>All I was saying (and hereshoping too, I think) is that if a kid doesn't have the wherewithall to do that -- he/she has much bigger problems than access to contraception. Knowing how to find a simple answer to a simple question shouldn't be too much to expect from college-age men and women. </p>

<p>Now, I don't think that religious colleges that withhold certain vital health services are doing their kids any favors. But that's a whole different can of worms.</p>

49

<p>
[quote]
Now, I don't think that religious colleges that withhold certain vital health services are doing their kids any favors. But that's a whole different can of worms.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Unless I heard wrong, hereshoping believes that withholding vital health services IS doing the kids a favor -- by forcing those who wish to be sexually active to go off-campus for contraceptives; this is supposed to teach them adult responsibility and not rob them of their birthright. Or did I misunderstand?</p>

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<p>You misunderstood. I believe HH is reacting to the hyperbole of posters who speak of tragedy and worry because bowls of condoms aren't strategically placed at religious-affiliated colleges. She is not in agreement with those who short change kids and assume they are passive, helpless, and unable to function without mom attending to every basic need. Not to mention devoid of any self-control.</p>

51

<p>hereshoping suggested this source for information on STDs:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.hopepregnancy.com/std.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.hopepregnancy.com/std.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I just now checked it out and found numerous factual errors and misleading statements. The site is hosted by "a Christian ministry committed to upholding the sanctity of life in the communities of the Sauk Valley area."</p>

<p>This is not a site I would rely on for solid information.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, it's certainly true that condom use, particularly sloppy use, does not guarantee safe sex. Sex with many partners is risky. We get that, I think, and I trust the kids do too. Hereshoping.</p>

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<p>Hereshoping apparently pulled that link randomly - I agree some of the content you quote is suspect, celloguy, and not the kind of info I'd want my child to solely rely on. One of the many reasons she's not at a school with any religious affiliation.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
She is not in agreement with those who short change kids and assume they are passive, helpless, and unable to function without mom attending to every basic need.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Wait!!! (OK, I know I said was done, but cripe.) </p>

<p>Which mom is in charge of the condoms in the bathroom of the dorms? Is there a sign up sheet someplace for moms to fit diaphragms in the health center? Am I somehow derelict in my duties?! I don't want to be one of those moms whose relying on the other moms to help out with snacks, field trips, and condom distribution...</p>

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<p>O.K., weenie. I guess celloguy is a guy, so maybe it's the dads, too. He said he was "comforted" by the fishbowl full of condoms in his d's dorm. You were the one worrying about contraceptive availability. Apparently worried enough to research it a bit. I don't know if you plan to do snack shopping & chaperoning field trips for your college kid, but you are involved in his contraceptive procurement. Of course, if that works for you & your family, that is your right.</p>

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<p>stickershock: "but you are involved in his contraceptive procurement."</p>

<p>No. You still misunderstand. My son attends a school with a full-service health center. Therefore, I do not need to "procure contraceptives" for him or any other kids there. Get it now?</p>

<p>And "so maybe it's the dads, too." I'd suggest that most parents who do not have their heads in the sand are concerned - dads and moms (as well the entire health profession - but forget about them).</p>

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<p>I'm growing weary of this. I also do not have my head in the sand, thank you. And I am also a healthcare professional.</p>

57

<p>There was one Planned Parenthood two cities over when I was in my early 20s, that I was able to get to, because I had a flexible work schedule and a car, but that was the late 70s, a much more aware time in some ways.</p>

<p>Some states have few resources,
the state of Arkansas has 3 clinics,
Kansas has 4 clinics,
Utah has 8,
Nebraska has 2,
Nevada 4,
the entire state of Idaho has one clinic,
Oklahoma has 8,
South Dakota has 2 clinics,
North Dakota has none.
Louisana has 2 PP clinics.
California has 103,
Oregon has 9,
Washington has 30 health centers.
Arizona has 21,
Montana has 6
Wyoming has 1 center
Colorado has 26,
New Mexico 6,
Texas 87 health centers,
Missouri with 20.
Mississippi has one health clinic.
Tennessee has 5 PP health centers
Alabama has 4,
Georgia has 5,
Kentucky has 3,
Illinois has 25,
Wisconsin has 29,
Minnesota has 21,
Michigan has 32,
Indiana has 48,
Ohio has 43 ,
while West virginia has one.
Virginia has 10,
DC has 2.
North Carolina has 4 PP health centers,
South Carolina has none,
NewJersey has 34,
Pennsylvania has 43,
New york 82,
Maine 4,
Vermont with 13.
So yes most students will be able to utilize off campus resources for their health needs, but not all, and some of those students will still find it difficult.
Considering that some of the clinics are open only one day a week, and in a state that only has a few clinics, it will be difficult to get timely services.
We need equitable resources, not limited health care resources for young adults</p>

58

<p>Interesting list, emeraldkity. I had no idea how few PP clinics there are in some areas.</p>

59

<p>Without comprehensive health care services available at the school, it does add a degree of complexity to the student's life. When an illness or health care need occurs that can not be addressed at the school, the student is left with trying to find health care in a strange city--sometimes with limited transportation available.</p>

<p>When my D. was ill, she went to an urgent care, but the wait was so many hours and she couldn't miss next class--she had to leave. She ended up choosing a physician from the yellow pages, which ended up being not a very good experience (nothing really bad, just not great care). When she needed GYN care, she ended up scheduling at home on a break as that was easier than trying to get in as a new patient with a local Dr.</p>

<p>It is certainly doable with limited services on campus, but my experience has been the students are much more likely to seek care and do follow-up when services are part of "their" world. Otherwise they tend to wait and put things off.</p>

60

<p>I had no idea how few PP clinics there are in some areas.</p>

<p>me either
(I always liked or at least was comfortable going to PP for all my health care, before I had ins. It was great to see women nurse practioners, they were caring and interested in not just dispensing birthcontrol, but in asking about how * I was doing* something I didn't get from my family.}
in some school districts health education, particulary what you need to know to prevent pregancy ( besides complete abstinence- which is effective, but if everyone was that good at controlling their appetites we wouldn't have an obesity epidemic), isn't taught or includes inaccurate information.</p>

<p>There are several national and international organizations who exist to shut PP down.
They lobby and have successfully reduced govt support of birth control clinics and programs.
<a href="http://www.all.org/stopp/index.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.all.org/stopp/index.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I don't think it helps America or Americans for children to be born into homes that cannot care for them emotionally, academically or financially, and certainly not to people who are still growing up themselves.
I don't advocate for students to have sex too young, but I think they should know how to take care of themselves, and if they are in a relationship where they * may become* sexually active, that they plan for that contingency, not think that it will only matter if they are having sex regularly.
<a href="http://www.teenwire.com/news/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.teenwire.com/news/&lt;/a>
college students are adults, and since many colleges are in rural areas where access to health care may be limited, I think it is important that the health care that is available covers their body from head to toe- not leaving out the reproductive system just because we don't want to go there.
Thats fine if a school doesn't want to offer contraceptive services, but knowing in some states if the school doesn't offer it, it may not be available concerns me.
I am sure condoms are available by mail, even if you can't get to a drug store that carries them, but even in ultra liberal Seattle, we have had pharmacists refuse to dispense antibiotics to patients that had a prescription from a "womens clinic" that also performs abortions, let alone dispense the morning after pill. Health care seems to be getting more restrictive in some areas, not just becasue insurance premiums are so high and doctors find it difficult to survive in rural areas, but because more in the health care field, feel it is their moral duty to restrict others access.</p>