Is Birth Control for pre-teens a good idea?

I read in this morning's USA Today that a middle school in Maine has decided to allow the distribution of free birth control to children in the school. This includes the pill and patch as well as condoms. So, is this a good idea? I suppose many would argue that they are protecting the health of children and preventing unwanted pregnancies. I get that, but is that really enough justification to do this? In addition, this school district asks parents to sign a form allowing their children to be treated in the school clinic. If a parent signs this form, then a child receives free care in the school clinic at the hands of a nurse practitioner or physician. Sounds great right? Well, what it translates to is that the parent's have just signed away their parental rights by signing such a form because once they've signed the form, any and all care received at the clinic is considered confidential between the student and the care giver and excluding the parents entirely. Even if they wanted to know what treatment their child had received in the clinic, they wouldn't be able to find out because of said confidentiality. So that really changes things.

I've always felt that a giving out condoms to high school girls and boys was no big deal because it would probably prevent pregnancies. Is that even a good idea? I don't know. But at least I know that most high schoolers are old enough to actually be considering these issues. It disturbs me however, that we are now expanding this policy to middle schoolers. One school does it and many more are sure to follow. In addition, we aren't just giving out condoms but giving out all sorts of birth control options. Some of these options might even have unknown long-term health affects, especially for children of that age. Regardless, it is a crime to have sex with a child of middle school age in Maine and in most states, so why would the state choose to equip young children with the ability to break the law? Interesting thinking on their part. The most disturbing part to me though is the lack of control a parent has in this. A parent should be privy to any and all medical care and decisions relating to their children until said child is 18 years or older, in my opinion. Of course, if the state can prove some form of abuse in the home, then the parents judgment might be clouded in regards to good medical decisions and therefore the state might be able to take action, but otherwise, a parent should have authority over their child. Anything less is an unnecessary and undesired state intrusion on parental authority. Of course, many parents now have abdicated their authority de facto, and maybe they should sign the form and turn over their authority to the state, although the state doesn't take responsibility either, they just do what the kid wants. That's not parenting. Regardless, educating a child about the dangers and pleasures of sex is the job of the parent, whether they choose to exercise it or not. If you choose to exercise it (which all parents should) then make sure you do NOT sign any kinds of governmental forms regarding the care of your child without first knowing what the consequences of your signature are. A parent can and should care for their child and make sure they make good choices as well as discipline them for bad behavior. Inability to do either of those means you probably shouldn't be a parent. However, some kids will still make bad choices, especially in regards to sex. This means, as a parent, you have to support your children, help them to make better choices or to make a good choice for them depending on the circumstances. In Maine, a parent can't do this anymore apparently. Now it is the job of a school nurse and not the parent to guide your child through one of the most difficult times in their lives. That is simply unacceptable to me and should be to any concerned parent. So I ask, where are the concerned parents in this school district?