School officials in Portland, Maine, voted 7-2 on Wednesday to disregard parental rights and make a full range of contraceptives available to middle school children without notifying their legal guardians. According to school officials, it was a question of confronting reality—that some students are going to have sex no matter what—so schools should help children have safer sex.

“This isn’t encouraging kids to have sex,” Richard Veilleux, a supporter of the plan, said. “This is about the kids who are engaging in sexual activity.”

Others disagree, saying that instead of confronting reality, dealing with and eliminating the cause of pre-teen sex, schools are instead abrogating responsibility and even facilitating premarital sex.

Parents too are furious that school officials would not only condone a sexually active lifestyle for pre-teens, but would also opt to prescribe drugs (with known side effects like cancer) without notifying them.

Time summed up the frustrations of many parents: “When talking about children so young, the idea that parents would have no say is galling; they can be pulled over by police if the 11-year–old is not wearing a seat belt, but have no right to know whether she’s taking the pill” (October 18).

“We are dealing with children,” said Diane Miller, a former school nurse who opposes the contraception plan. “I am just horrified at the suggestion.”

It is ridiculous to argue against the fact that school officials distributing contraceptives without parental knowledge makes it easier for children to have sex. And what is generally ignored in the public debate over this issue is that the consequences of sex outside of marriage go far beyond transmitted diseases and unplanned childbirth. The mental and spiritual consequences can be much greater. For more, read “Sexual Health: What Every High School and College Student Needs to Know.”