Should condoms be given out in high schools?
There have always been debates between parents and experts about whether condoms should be given out in high schools. Majority of parents would agree that this behavior sends a negative message to teenagers, that being sexually active is acceptable and even expected. But what most experts believe is that it’s actually a promotion of safe sex. I agree with the experts, therefore the issue of distributing condoms to students has remained a controversial issue ever since.
Argument of the opposing view insists that having condoms accessible will increase teen sex since distributing condoms freely can be viewed as an encouraging act. They see the kids as passionate animals that have no control over themselves. Teens rush into things; they are curious and are willing to try something new. And when the idea of sex and a given condom are added together, nothing can keep the idea of sexual intercourse out of their heads anymore. I think this explains the biggest worry of parents: Kids of age that young are incapable of shouldering such big responsibility as a new born baby. If the daughter of a family got pregnant at the age of 16, what becomes of her education and the future that lies ahead of this young mother? Some people believe that “No sex equals to no combination of sperm and egg; no fertilization means no pregnancy; and no pregnancy results in zero baby. In this case, if sex doesn’t occur, no baby will be born.”(Induction) In order to stop teen pregnancy, there’s no doubt abstinence is the best method. But while the schools handout condoms, it arouses the students’ desire and that was just against the idea.
However, the other side argued that handing out condoms isn’t a promotion of teen sex at all but indeed precaution. If these kids do not have access to condoms, they may just have sex without using one and this increases chances of pregnancy and STDs. Teen pregnancy can destroy the relationship between couples, which may also engulf a person’s bright future. Keeping the baby isn’t the option for most people, and that leaves it to the only solution: abortion, which largely damages the body of the baby’s mother. By the way, diseases like STDs and AIDs are just as fearing and terrible. Some are even fatal and once you caught one, you will regret not having put on the rubber piece in the first place. However, abstinence won’t be the solution to the problem either. Sometimes the more you tried to stop the kids from doing something; you are just increasing their desire to break the rules and give it a shot. That’s why safe sex is considered the must-have knowledge for every teen and adult, only by learning the functions of human body and the right way to use a contraceptive can avoid regrets.
According to a research, condoms are only 97% effective some times, but still it’s better than risking without one. (MedlinePlus) In my opinion, I also think condoms should be given out in schools. While safe sex is no doubt an important knowledge, learn to prevent an accidental pregnancy can avoid sexual diseases and abortion from happening. Instead of false rumors and knowledge online and from friends, what’s better than to learn the right way from teachers and experts? However the main reason that I think condoms should be given out in school is that those little pieces of rubber aren’t cheap to get in stores, and there’s also the embarrassment in buying it. All these lead to teen sexual intercourses without condoms, due to its price and the existence of embarrassment. But if a person of great desire to have sex had received a condom beforehand, there’s greater chance he or she will use it, and that would also lower the chances of getting pregnant.
Some schools in the USA have started a condom availability program and I think that’s a good idea; (guttmacher.org) these schools will hand out condoms to students, only after the teachers have given them some counseling. At first the teachers talk to their pupils and suggest them alternatives like sports and masturbation, but if the pupils still intend to have sex afterwards, condoms would be handed out. Just some years after the program has been run, stats have shown that these schools own a lower teen pregnancy rate than the rest in the country. Polls also reflect that this program has led to the increase in the usage of condom among the teenage boys. Though the number of teen sexual activity stays the same, the rate of teen pregnancy has been decreased. The stats have proven a good sign for the advocates of the handing out of condoms, and I hope more and more countries throughout the world will benefit from this program in the future. Let’s look forward to the day this program finally starts to go around in Taiwan.
Works cited
NJ, Talsania. “A STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES AMONG COMMERCIAL SEX WORKERS” JYOTISANGH STD CLINIC, AHMEDABAD (2005):3. June 3rd
Kirby, Douglas. “Family Planning Perspectives.” Family Planning Perspectives Volume 28 (1996): 5. June 3rd
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