In yet another attempt to cater to the needs of a progressively sexually liberated generation, authority figures have gone to unnecessary extremes, taking the issue to shamefully high heights to prove their open-mindedness and supposed support for teenagers’ wild behavior.

The hot topic this time is not an unfamiliar one: sex. More specifically, should condoms be available in nurses’ offices of high schools across the country? Should our school follow suit?


Suzanna falsely claims that “the main reason [teenagers have unprotected sex] is that they are not educated about safe sex.” Health classes were created and incorporated into the curriculum as a high-school requirement for this very reason: to steer students in the right direction when it comes to safe sex, peer pressure, and making all the other “right” choices.

Moreover, there is a fine line between sex education and condom availability. Condoms are but an accessory people mistakenly believe to be a necessity in educating students about sex. There should be a distinction between AIDS prevention and sex promotion, but this is unfortunately not the case.

Suzanna asserts that “the administration will not be promoting sex,” but fails to acknowledge that though claiming to be taking preventive measures to ensure that teenagers practice safe sex, they are still indirectly promoting sex. Sure, they claim that the focus is on safe, protected sex, but this message suggests and encourages sexual activity, even going so far as to support it.

While the increasing accessibility of condoms does not necessarily trigger an increase in sexual activity, it undeniably increases sexual interest and the temptation to be sexually active. Are administrations in campuses across the nation oblivious to the implications of condom availability?

Contrary to Suzanna’s misconception, the distribution of condoms on high school campuses has not been “an unthinkable subject.” Currently, 45 states have school-based health centers, of which 30% offer condoms and 25% offer oral contraceptives.

According to Suzanna’s research, the Alan Guttmacher Institute recently reported that the use of contraceptives have greatly reduced pregnancy rates. What proof is there that this declination is the direct result of contraceptives available on high-school campuses and that this statistic pertains to teenagers?

Of even more significance is that the same Alan Guttmacher Institute admitted that a study from the United States Food and Drug Administration confirmed that about 29 out of 89 condoms leaked significantly and that even after “decades of public education programs directed at showing couples how to use condoms properly, a very large percentage of those having intercourse do not do so.” However, Suzanna claims that “it is clear what the solution is: The nurse,” and inquires “What better way [there is] to help students be safe,” as though one trip to the nurse’s office for the infamous sex talk and “the essentials” is the sole and ultimate way to prevent teen pregnancies.

As for her statement that “it is the people that do not believe in abstinence that one has to worry about,” what about preventing advocates of abstinence from succumbing to the temptations of sexual activity? Even those who practice abstinence are breathing beings and possess enough brain capacity to develop curiosity and become tempted to yield to the lures of sex.

Schools go out on a limb to eliminate all other “distractions:” they enforce a dress code, ban cell phone use during school hours, and prohibit the use of any and all other electronic devices as well. So why are so many schools welcoming this distraction and disruption to the learning environment with open arms?

Why do schools support condoms, while claiming to advocate abstinence? And if there is so much counter-argument that many students would probably be too embarrassed to race to the nurse’s office to acquire condoms in the first place, why have them available at all?

When it comes to condoms available on campus, out of sight could mean out of mind.

http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/ib_1200.html - 45 states have school-based health centers; 30% offer condoms, 25% oral contraceptives.

Google: condoms available in high school (p. 6)

No parental check required”

70% who got them nonvirgins, 38% virgins

Males more likely than females (60% vs. 45%)

“Providing high school students with direct access to condoms leads to widespread use of school condoms, both for sexual activity and for exploratory activities that familiarize students with condoms. Condoms are of interest to both students who have and students who have not engaged in sexual activities for which condoms are recommended.” (http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/100/4/689)

Eighty-eight percent of students knew that all students were allowed to obtain condoms, and 74% knew that parental permission was not required. Students generally supported the condom program: 88% thought the school should give out condoms, and 79% thought that if the school were to require parental permission for students to get condoms, students would get them less often than with the present system (which does not require permission). Thirteen percent agreed and 71% disagreed that “having condoms available at school makes it harder for someone who doesn’t want to have sex to say no.”

Safer vs. (exist)

‘’I am profoundly disappointed and disturbed,” Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell said in a statement, contending that school officials are reducing sex to ‘’meaningless self-gratification.” (bishop of Springfield) - http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/10/26/bishop_attacks_school_condom_plan/ (for grades 6-12)

Diff between sex education and condoms

AIDS prevention vs. sex promotion

Implications of condom availability

Not always increase sexual activity, but still increase sexual interest and temptation to be sexually active

Schools try to eliminate all other “distractions” – dress code, cell phones, etc. – but welcome this distraction to learning environment w/ open arms?

http://www.hli.org/bbc_condom-effectivness.html

By Staff Reporter Elizabeth Kim