THE BIG DEBATE: Should 13-year-olds be given free contraception?

“Kids are going to have sex if you like it or not, there is a choice access to the pill or having a baby at a very young age which is no easy task at that age and yes I am speaking from experience I was unable to access the pill without my parents knowing so I never bothered, eventually mum got wind and took me to the Dr by then it was to late as I was already 3 months gone, I didn't believe in abortions and was always taught you make you bed you lie in it, take responsibility for you actions I kept the baby I now have a wonderful 20 year old son who I am so proud off. it wasn't easy looking after him and had to leave school early without qualifications. I went to college at the same time my son took his GCSE and went on to University to do nursing.
surely it is better to prevent this happening to our children by giving them access to the pill with or without parents knowledge better than the alternative yes it would be better if kids didn't have sex so young but it is going to happen.
I don't regret having my son but I just wish that I waited till I was older if I could of got the pill It would of been easier.”

“Kids are going to have sex if you like it or not, there is a choice access to the pill or having a baby at a very young age which is no easy task at that age and yes I am speaking from experience I was unable to access the pill without my parents knowing so I never bothered, eventually mum got wind and took me to the Dr by then it was to late as I was already 3 months gone, I didn't believe in abortions and was always taught you make you bed you lie in it, take responsibility for you actions I kept the baby I now have a wonderful 20 year old son who I am so proud off. it wasn't easy looking after him and had to leave school early without qualifications. I went to college at the same time my son took his GCSE and went on to University to do nursing.
surely it is better to prevent this happening to our children by giving them access to the pill with or without parents knowledge better than the alternative yes it would be better if kids didn't have sex so young but it is going to happen.
I don't regret having my son but I just wish that I waited till I was older if I could of got the pill It would of been easier.”

“I see at this time that 50% of the people who voted would presumably like their children being given contraception, and therefore think that IT_MAN has come up with the most sensible idea of the parents paying. I suppose the people who voted for it also forgot that contraception isn't always 100% effective, and that if it is condoms, well they have been known to burst leaving the people using that system still open to venereal diseases.”

“It man... I do agree with you, I have a large family, I am 86 and did not quite find out what caused it Until my third child was born.
I have three grand children who have the contraceptive jab, two of them are married and would like children , but not now.
There is no publicity about this method of contraceptive.. Spread the word, and perhaps this will stop the constant flow of very young mothers signing up at the social, depending on the state to bring them and their babes up.”

“Ian_Heighton: I agree with your comments but would like to add that the childs parents should be responcible for caring for both their child and their grandchild, no more free houses and long list of benefits. I don't think any of our ideas will stop young sex but it will cut the costs to us the taxpayer. Maybe if some pop stars took on the stay a virgin until you get married campaign it may help, but I'm not holding my breath.”

“Yes, Sex education classes with free condoms would reduce unplanned pregnancies.

Also removing benefits for having kids would reduce the amount of planned pregnancies”

“It doesn't matter how good a parent you, are or how nice a child you think you may have, there is no way you can keep an eye on them 24/7. So perhaps the answer is yes, but unless they are over 16 the parents should be kept informed and be able to make their own decisions on what is best for their child.”

“Maybe they should be able to get a contraceptive by injection that lasts for 3 years if there is one. They can forget to take the pill and often they will be participating in the act before they think of using a condom. The law needs adjusting or enforcing.”

“It's a bit like 'I wasn't going to, but if I'm on the pill I might as well'. What happened to the good old chastity belt (I have a model one somewhere and the look easy enough to make).”

“mmm, the law, eh?
There's a law about driving faster than the speed limit and about using a TV without a licence.
Both of those have never been broken, of course...”