British schools to assist pregnant girls
LONDON, March 24 (UPI) -- New guidelines allow British schools to help pupils get the morning-after pill, pregnancy tests and abortions without parents' knowledge.
Statistics recently released revealed that thousands of 13-year-old girls have been handed the morning-after pill by health service staff without their parents' permission, the Daily Mail reported.
Family campaigners in Britain condemned the guidance from the Department for Education and the Department of Health, calling it "disgraceful."
The plans were unveiled a day after Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown slashed taxes on condoms and other contraceptive products as part of a drive to improve sexual health.
Teenage pregnancies continue to rise despite a 40 million pound ($69.7 million) government campaign to reduce the problem. Sexually transmitted diseases are also reaching epidemic levels.
Schools Minister Andrew Adonis Thursday defended the guidance, insisting the government wanted to do more to support the work of school nurses.
But David Paton, professor of economics at Nottingham University Business School, who researched the subject, said there is no evidence to show such programs help reduce pregnancies.
"There's a danger that it's encouraging youngsters to engage in sexual activity early," Paton said.
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LONDON, March 24 (UPI) -- New guidelines allow British schools to help pupils get the morning-after pill, pregnancy tests and abortions without parents' knowledge.
Statistics recently released revealed that thousands of 13-year-old girls have been handed the morning-after pill by health service staff without their parents' permission, the Daily Mail reported.
Family campaigners in Britain condemned the guidance from the Department for Education and the Department of Health, calling it "disgraceful."
The plans were unveiled a day after Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown slashed taxes on condoms and other contraceptive products as part of a drive to improve sexual health.
Teenage pregnancies continue to rise despite a 40 million pound ($69.7 million) government campaign to reduce the problem. Sexually transmitted diseases are also reaching epidemic levels.
Schools Minister Andrew Adonis Thursday defended the guidance, insisting the government wanted to do more to support the work of school nurses.
But David Paton, professor of economics at Nottingham University Business School, who researched the subject, said there is no evidence to show such programs help reduce pregnancies.
"There's a danger that it's encouraging youngsters to engage in sexual activity early," Paton said.
Link
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