Introduction
Restricting the sexual activity of teenagers and young people is impossible, and therefore, society should pay attention to the solution of related problems. School condom availability programs have been introduced in the United States since the early 1990s as a measure of adolescent sexuality education (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). However, the spread of contraception will have a positive effect only when combined with sex education programs and adolescent responsiveness to sexual activity.
Therefore, condoms should not be freely distributed through dispensing machines in school restrooms.
Correct use of condoms reduces the risk of spreading disease and unwanted pregnancies. However, free access to them does not imply a responsible adolescent attitude towards sexual activity and may have the opposite effect.
The problem is relevant for every person since everyone was once in high school. Perhaps you or one of your peers even faced the problem of sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancies.
Body
The distribution of free condoms in schools reduces the risk of spreading sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned early pregnancies.
Many health organizations advocate the free condom policy as “over one-third of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections occur in youths aged 15-24 years” (The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 2017).
Moreover, according to the data, “in the United States in 2011, 75% of pregnancies among 15- to 19-year old young women were unintended” (The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 2017).
Research shows that the correct and regular use of condoms can significantly reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 2017). Thus, the broader access to contraception, the lower the risk of spreading the infection.
While expanding free access to condoms for teenagers reduces infection risk, the number of unplanned pregnancies can only increase. Moreover, contraceptive dispensing machines, for example, in school restrooms, do not offer sex education.
Contraceptive accessibility programs introduced in schools in recent years, according to research, “were responsible for roughly two additional births per 1,000 teens” (Green, 2016).
Free access to condoms leads to increased sexual activity, but in this case, no one explains to adolescents how to use contraception correctly.
Condoms in schools need to be distributed as part of educational programs under health workers’ supervision, rather than offered freely.
Free access to condoms in schools can lead to “risky sexual behavior” (Green, 2016). As a result, adolescents may be reckless about the need to use contraception correctly.
In addition, the spread of contraception in schools can lead to the perception of early sexual activity as a social norm.
Condoms reduce the risk of spreading sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies. However, the free availability of adolescents in school can lead to increased sexual activity and contraception misuse, which has the opposite effect.
Condoms should be distributed under supervision through educational programs.
Teenagers need to be taught why they need to use contraception and how to do it correctly.
Conclusion
Using condoms significantly reduces the risk of spreading sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies. However, adolescents’ free access to contraception can be counterproductive, as they need to be educated about the importance of correct use. With free access to condom dispensing machines in school restrooms, many may misuse them and feel falsely safe.
Condoms should not be freely distributed through dispensing machines in schools.
Thus, the availability of contraception can provoke negative consequences; in contrast, the spread of contraception through educational programs can have a positive impact.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Condom availability programs (CAPs). Web.
Green, E. (2016). Condoms don’t necessarily help teen girls avoid pregnancy. The Atlantic. Web.
The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. (2017). Condom availability in schools: A practical approach to the prevention of sexually transmitted infection/HIV and unintended pregnancy. Journal of Adolescent Health, 60(6), 754-757.