george.d

Brazil, the world's largest Catholic country, has decided to offer condoms in schools through vending machines in its pursuit of sex education/birth control and to date successful approach in avoiding an AIDS epidemic:

washingtonpost.com

The Brazilian government says two-thirds of the public, Catholic faith followers, have approved the move, which is contrary to Catholic dogma of celibacy until marriage and no birth control at any time.

Definitely a wise move by government to assist in protecting its citizenry from the effects of contemporary societal problems not addressed by an antiquated, mythical belief system.

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Izzibeth

It is important to make sure that contraceptives are readily available. Good job, Brazil. I'm glad they are realizing that just because you don't want something to happen, doesn't mean it won't happen and isn't happening all the time. If protection can be made available, make it so.
Contrary to the opposing views belief, making contraceptives available does not increase the amount of sex being had. It only has a tendency to increase the amount of safe(r) sex being had. Sex happens all the time. It is a natural part of life and educating the public on how to ensure that their sexual safety and the sexual safety of those around them is kept intact is important.

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george.d

Not being available, as versus adherence to religious belief, is the largest cause of undesired pregnancy and STD transmission among teens.

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These are my principles. If you don't like them I have others. ~Groucho Marx~

Gumbercules

I wish we had the vending machines in our schools. I don't know about anybody elses high schools but mine had so many pregnancies we were beginning to think there was something in the water fountains.

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You waste my coin Sam, all you can, to jail my fellow man. For smoking all the noble weed, you need much more than him. You've been telling lies so long, some believe they're true. So they close their eyes to things you have no right to do. Just as soon as you are gone, hope will start to climb. Please don't stay around to long. You're wasting precious time. - Steppenwolf

Troianii

It's a good thing that in our new, modernized system we are teaching kids to have sex before they reach 10!

Yeah right, the entire mindset is pathetic.

Izzibeth

Providing contraceptives is not "teaching kids to have sex before they reach 10". Providing contraceptives is making a safe alternative to the unsafe sex the people would be having (I'm going to assume these are going to be offered in high schools) either way. Like I said... you can't cover your eyes and pretend it's not happening.
If people believe there is a problem with our "modernized system" "teaching" kids to have sex, then that is what should be changed. Meanwhile, while you're figuring all that out, make contraceptives available for use and easy purchase.
Personally, I find that our system is really against teaching kids about sex. I believe that if more young people actually understood sex, they might not be having so much of it or at the very least ... they would have educated sexual relations. This would lead to a decrease in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, abortions, etc. Making condoms available to young people who are having sex (more importantly.. making condoms available in a way that makes young people not feel ashamed or embarrassed to be purchasing those condoms) will only help achieve that goal as well.

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Troianii

No, providing contraceptives is a response to teaching kids to have sex before they reach 10. (just FYI, I'm not opposed to condoms, but I am opposed to the way that is being suggested here)



No, it's condoning it. Kids don't need a license to get condoms, they're available at Rite Aid (I know we're talking about Brazil, but Brazil is fairly modernized). Handing them out in schools isn't condoning condoms, but condoning and even (in a sense) encouraging sex.

Also, the availability of them and condoning of them (hence young, unmarried sex as well) raises the amount of underage, unmarried sex and, in all truth, about 2-3% of couples who use condoms correctly and consistently will have a pregnancy in a year (the stats will vary beyond that, based on your source). And remember, that's for those who use them PERFECTLY as they're intended.

Condoms are not miracles. Myself and my two blood brothers are what you call "condom-babies" and, look up the stats, and there isn't much of a case to say that my parents "didn't use them properly".

And... either way... You're opposed to teaching abstinence or anything like that, right?


THEY ARE!!! Our schools don't need to condone and encourage underage, premarital sex!!! And to the availability of condoms, they are available! They're across the street at Rite Aid (or whatever similiar place fills the community role).

Now please, tell me, why can't we teach kids to save sex for marriage, to wait? Those who use condoms PERFECTLY as they are intended to be used will in over 2% of the cases have pregnancies, and I emphasize the word "perfectly." Take note, few people do, even when they've taken sex ed classes.



The availability of condoms vastly increases the amount of sex, and 21% of typical couples who use the most effective condom have pregnancies in a year.

Of course, we don't want anyone feeling ashamed for doing things that they shouldn't be doing. Please, save the 10 year old children from the shame of having sex - teach them abstainance, and to wait until they are older and married. Condoms are not miracles. In a one year period a very large portion of those who use condoms (around 25-30%) will become pregnant. 0% of those who practice abstainance become pregnant.

Izzibeth

One key word to note in the article was "teenagers". They are not offering the condoms in elementary school. Where 10 year olds are.

It is not condoning or encouraging it. It is facing a reality. Teenagers are having sex. Teenagers have been having sex for thousands and thousands of years. Providing condoms in this period of time where STDs are rampant is simply facing the music. Teen sex is not a recent phenomenon.

Teenagers, obviously, will have sex with or without the condom. Putting the condom machines in the school doesn't make a teenager say "Well... I wasn't going to have sex before.. but since this condom machine is here, I might as well." As I said, providing condoms in the school faces the reality of the situation. Clearly the parents and adults in general in Brazil realize that.

No one said they were "miracles". There is always a chance of them failing. However, condoms do not only protect against pregnancy. Making them available is not a bad thing.

No. You're not. That is the parents' job. Teaching abstinence is what creates the problem in the first place. Sexual education class in school should be teaching sexual education. That is it. Not preaching about what is "right" or wrong". Teaching abstinence tells teenagers that sex is "wrong" and they shouldn't be doing it. Teenagers often go against what they are being taught. Also, a lot of the time, the sexual education classes get so caught up on teaching what is "right" and what is "wrong" that they do not teach the facts of sex, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, emotional effects of sex, etc. This is where the problems arise.

The schools are not condoning or encouraging. As I said before, they are coming to terms with a reality that has been and will continue to be. Teenagers have sex. Making the condoms available in the school is simply providing a safe alternative to the sex they would be having. I remember when I was back in middle school, there were a few kids having sex (I only knew of two) and it was a HUGE deal for them to walk into the drug store and buy condoms. It was like "Wow....he just went in and bought condoms...." like he had made a great achievement. The kids were having sex regardless. But only the "ballsy" ones were buying the condoms.

You can teach kids to save sex for marriage all you want. That is not the schools job. Some people, like myself, do not ever plan on getting married. I am in a committed relationship and plan on being in that relationship for as long as possible. However, I am not religious, I do not plan on having kids, and getting married is not a necessity in my life (same goes for my boyfriend). Marriage does not apply to all.
What they should be teaching is a safe, healthy sexual lifestyle for you and the partners you choose to have in life. Teach that your first priority should be your physical and mental safety. Your second priority should be the physical and mental safety of your partner or partners. Teaching safety as opposed to "Sex is wrong" will get better results.


I would like to see the information that says condoms increase sexual activity. Meanwhile, I can point you to a number of studies that say the opposite. If you would like. Put "condoms increase sex" in a search engine. Here is what I found just from that.
OB/GYN News
The Media Project
Office of Health Education - Univ. of PA


Why should teenagers feel ashamed for having sex? They are going to have sex. Teaching them to feel ashamed about it (to adults... cuz they are bragging to their friends) simply makes it secretive and something the parents won't find out about until too late.

That is your job as a parent. If you want to teach your 10 year old that they shouldn't be having sex until they are married, that is your choice. It is not the schools job to teach individual morals in sexual education class. The act of sexual intercourse is not about getting married or being in love.

Signatures on most sexual-abstinence commitment cards may not be worth the paper they are written on, according to a recent study. A survey by Northern Kentucky University revealed that 61 percent of students who made abstinence promises broke them. And of those who said they kept their pledges, 55 percent indicated they participated in oral sex.

The survey queried 597 Northern Kentucky students, 16 percent of whom made pledges not to have sex until marriage. The study noted, however, that pledge-breakers delayed sex for a year longer than nonpledging teens--until an average of 17.6 years old. But pledge-makers who became pledge-breakers were less likely to use protection, such as condoms, when first having sex.

Abstinence is not the reality for the majority of humans on this planet. In order to prevent the spread of STDs, unwanted pregnancy, sexual misconduct, sexual mis-education, abortion, etc. you need to teach sexual education and provide contraceptives to the age groups that are participating in sex. As far as I know, the majority of 10 year olds are not participating in sexual activities. They are not even interested. I personally know someone who lost his virginity at 13 to a 17 or 18 year old girl.. who then became upset with him and "broke up" with him because he was more interested in video games than sex. Young kids are generally not interested and do not practice it. Teach sexual education correctly and the majority of the problems we are seeing today will start to fade.

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FRYandBENDER

I can offer two reasons.

1) Because that would be the responsible and smart thing to do. But then again, we can't exactly expect parents to, I don't know, show some parental guidance now can we.

2) Condom lobby. Those fuckers run Washington.

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Neither am I the means to any end others may wish to accomplish. I am not a tool for their use. I am not a servant of their needs. I am not a bandage for their wounds. I am not a sacrifice on their altars. ... I owe nothing to my brothers, nor do I gather debts from them. I ask no one to live for me, nor do I live for others. I covet no mans soul, nor is my soul theirs to covet.

Ayn Rand, Anthem.

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george.d

Odd how arguments against teen use of condoms, other birth control methods and sex education are all based on abstinence from sex until marriage. Especially in the face of overwhelming statistics proving teens are already having sex, and have been since the beginning of time. Duh....

__________________
These are my principles. If you don't like them I have others. ~Groucho Marx~