Is Condom Distribution Smart Health Policy?

Recommend (1) Comments (2)

Teenage sexual activity is a problem. Even defenders of school-based contraceptive programs must admit, and usually do, that it is far more desirable for teenagers to abstain from sexual activity in the first place. What then to do about this problem of teen sexual activity? Let’s distribute to them, free of charge (thank you taxpayers), an item designed solely for employment during sexual acts. Brilliant!

It is legitimate to ask any school or educator what they are teaching those under their tutelage, and the unmistakable takeaway of free condoms sitting in a school health office or classroom is that sexual activity is A-OK. This implicit statement from teachers, officials, and the community itself is normalizing early sexual behavior as effectively as a text message to each student: “Sexual activity is not the problem. Just use one of our complimentary rubbers, and any potential negative consequences will fade away like so many boring health class lectures. We all know you’re doing it anyway (wink wink).”

Sarcasm aside, recent research shows an uptick in teen pregnancy rates in the U.S., and sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates among teens are tragically high. Condoms do not address the problem (teen sexual activity), they attempt only to reduce a couple (STDs, pregnancies) of the many negative outcomes (e.g., depression, decreased academic performance, etc.). But more than failing to address that underlying problem, condoms in schools confuse the message; “a moment of pleasure can seriously derail your life—WAIT!” becomes “go ahead and do it, just don’t get busted.” When research demonstrates that one out of every four female teenagers in the U.S. has contracted an STD (against many of which condoms provide 50% protection), a society must ask itself whether it should continue to send messages encouraging its young people to play with fire.