Thursday, 18 December 2008

Should schools provide condoms for kids ?

Even in the 21st century, it is a controversial topic in many states of America. Most people associate condoms with sexual activity. There is nothing wrong with that. Condoms are associated with sex. The problems for condoms start when people associate condoms with promiscuity. This is especially true in the case of evangelical people who are totally against condoms or sex education for kids. They argue that condoms are going to give the kids new ideas. They fear that the kids may start to experiment with condoms and sex as they have access to it. But kids are kids. They are going to experiment with sex. Condom or no condom!! The increase in numbers of STDs among teenage girls is an example of sexual activity they engage in, even without easy access to condoms. The high rate of teenage pregnancy is also showing examples of sexually active kids. There number is not going to increase, as they will have easy access to condoms. These kids should have access to condoms and that would help them in protecting themselves and the society at large by stopping the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. It is not fair to deny them access to condoms.
Condoms must be easily available for teenage kids. If possible, sex education can be provided along with the delivery of condoms. The person who is delivering the condoms can explain the pros and cons of condoms, sex etc to the kids. The school nurse who is already present in most schools can be given this responsibility. There must be access to condoms in a different way as well. As kids are usually wary of approaching an adult to get condoms, there should be a condom machine in each school for kids to get condoms anonymously.
The easy access of condoms would reduce the rate of AIDS infection in USA. Teenagers and young adults are the ones who are getting infected in half of the new AIDS cases reported. If they get easy access to condoms at teenage years, then they will have safe sex. Two of the main reasons for kids to drop out of school are teenage pregnancy and poor health. You can avoid teenage pregnancy fully with condoms. Poor health caused from STDs can be avoided with the help of condoms to a very high extent.
There are still people who hold morality above the health or safety of kids. This issue should be considered on its merits as a public health issue. Not a moral challenge. Safe sex is just that. Safe sex. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Public schools must be providing condoms in their premises, as school drop out rate is highest there. Kids from low-income families who attend these schools are more prone to get pregnant and stop their studies altogether. Hence the availability of condoms is mandatory in public schools all over America.
Of course catholic schools are going to object to providing condoms to kids there. But the parents need to take a strong position and this would make the catholic school managements to change their position on condoms.

No comments:

Post a Comment