Condom distribution Where to make condoms available, Human


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Back to Subjects - Human Sexuality

Condom distribution Where to make condoms available

Condom distribution Where to make condoms available Condom Distribution: Where to make condoms available Condom distribution to adolescents has always been a very controversial subject. Margaret Pruitt Clark display's her views on this issue in her short essay entitled, "Condom Availability Promotes Health, Saves Lives." Clark has many good points about distributing condoms to adolescents and the reasons that these types of measures should be taken. I agree with many of her proposals but do not believe that the school environment is the right place to do this. The threat of HIV, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among adolescents, has become a life threatening issue and measures should be taken. The Center for Disease Control issued a survey stating that, "31.9 percent of ninth-grade girls and 48.7 percent of ninth-grade boys have had sexual intercourse" (Clark 115). These figures jump about thirty percent by the time these students are seniors in high school. In a separate study, STD's were said to have infected over two and one-half million adolescents, and every year one out of every ten girls becomes pregnant. The reasons to why adolescents are not using protection during intercourse include cost, access, and, embarrassment. Many communities have already begun the battle with this issue. Condoms are now being made available to students through their respective health centers, located within their schools. Cities across the nation are adopting this policy in the fight against AIDS, STD's, and pregnancy. In order for a program like this to succeed, it must have full backing from the community. According to recent studies, the Center for Population Options knows of about fifty schools that provide this service to their students. (Clark 115-119). Clark strongly agrees with the idea to have condoms available to students throughout their schools. She believes that the threat to our youth has become a very serious issue, and that strong measures should be taken. In her essay she states that, "teens who are exposed to risks need and deserve the best means possible for protecting themselves: knowledge, skills, and access to latex condoms" (Clark 117). I strongly agree with her point that something must be done, and that teens deserve the best possible protection. Condoms should be made readily available to adolescents, but schools are not the place to distribute them. School is a place for education; students should be taught about the dangers of sex, and be informed about where they can receive condoms. There are numerous free health clinics and similar places that readily provide free condoms to adolescents. If condoms were provided in the schools, I think that it would be made as more of a joke than a serious issue. Distributing condoms in schools makes it seem like sex is OK, which is not the message we want to convey to our youth. Another point that Clark addresses is changing the culture of our youth. In order to accomplish this, she believes that the school should be a place where students can openly talk about sex, and also receive information on the subject. I agree with this point, but I also believe that changing the culture of our youth involves a lot more. If we are going to "change adolescent culture" we need to teach them responsibility. In the instance that a student decides to engage in sexual activity, it needs to be their responsibility to obtain and use condoms during sex. Teaching students about the risks and consequences of sex is another major step in changing their culture. I believe that schools should be responsible for informing students on these subjects. If we can educate teenagers about the risks of not using protection and inform them where they can obtain condoms, this would be a major step in the fight against sexually related problems. Although I do not agree with all of Clark's ideas, we do have a common interest: to stop the threat of sexually related problems. To do this we must educate our youth, and if necessary provide them with protection. Ways in which to provide this protection is the only controversy. Personally, I do not believe protection should be made available in schools. The bottom line is that we are faced with a problem that requires serious attention and a probable solution. Bibliography: Clark, Margaret Pruitt. "Condom Availability Promotes Health, Saves Lives." A Brief Guide To Writing from Readings. Stephen W. Wilhoit. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1997. 115-119.

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