I think the worrying about giving kids implicit 'permission' to have sex by offering contraceptives is rubbish. Even if it does have that effect I believe I'm right in saying the average age for first sex is roughly the same all over Europe despite different ages of consent. So if people are quite happy to ignore *explicit* permission from the state why would there be worries about offering them condoms or the pill or whatever?

I don't believe the assertion further up either though. Just because someone is able to conceive does not make them ready for a sexual relationship or a child. I mean can't some girls theoretically conceive at 12? I think education and encouragement in the right direction are far better than draconian measures though. And certainly better than depriving people who are having sex of protection.