A St Lucia organisation is calling for a national dialogue on whether or not condoms should be distributed in the country’s schools.
Teenage pregnancy is a problem throughout the Caribbean and the health authorities have expressed concern over young people, including pre-teens, having unprotected sex.
Dominica also recorded a high number of HIV/AIDS cases in the last 6-8 years, many of those infected are pre-teens having unprotected sex. The AIDS Action Foundation says it’s time to openly discuss the matter in schools around the Caribbean.
School principals in St Lucia are opposed to the introduction of condoms in schools and have snubbed the idea of a national debate on the issue, even though the education minister says he favours such a debate.
So what do you think? Should condoms be distributed in Dominica schools, likewise the Caribbean?
Have your say in the comments.
I can’t say that I agree with condom distribution – is the suggestion that teens do not know where to buy them? Distributing the condoms does seem to be an acceptance measure and may send the wrong message to teens who are not having sex that they may be odd. Both the rise of HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy must be addressed but I think they can be addressed socially. Withhold any assistance if a father is not named on the birth certificate. If a father is named, mandate that he must attend all doctor’s appointments and help care for the child if the child is to receive assistance. What you are seeing is a lack of understanding about the responsibility that comes with intimacy. I believe that if the consequences are clear and we stop as a society working to always ease the pain, people will make different decisions. Instead of condom distribution, why not provide free sexually transmitted disease testing? Inform that youth that the testing is available and put out ads encouraging them to see their partner’s results before any sexual activity. If the testing is free, there should be no excuses. If the person starts giving excuses, walk away, there is a problem. This also lets people know sooner if they are infected and they can refrain from infecting anyone else and begin treatment programs.
Suki,
You have some good ideas. However, I just dont know practically in the Dominican context how it would work effectively. Of course education would be key. This would take significant funding however.
From my knowledge of the psyche at work, there might be a low incentive for youths to voluntarily get tested even though its free. Many would see it as not their problem or attach a stigma to getting it done. I think many are aware of the dangers but don’t think it will happen to them. I do not see a signficant majority being compelled to have their partner get a status check before engaging in sex. Some people do not even want to know their status, free test or not.
When you throw in sexually charged atmospheres like carnival and various cultural celebrations and lax norms or tolerance towards alcohol (even for youths) use into the mix, there are so many distractions to the message. Many teens engage in risky behavior during certain predictable periods throughout the year. Indeed, during these periods youths feel empowered to enagage in the adult type activities likewise. These days, society is very lax on what teens can do. Many adults seem to have little moral authority over the youth these days. Laws exist on the books, but are not enforced.
My recommendation is one of education. We need a cadre of special educators with the relevant support (training, mobility, material and equipment etc) in this regard. I am likewise concerned that condom distribution is what is needed (people know where to find this if needed and yes some of that is already available free), but I see an issue with implementing a testing program that could be made to work effectively (funding, logistics, confidentiality etc) as well as being embraced by the youth.
I agree that my thoughts on the matter are somewhat idealistic and yes I do know that people tend to shy away from testing. I was thinking more along the lines of the female for example demanding to see the results from the male before an intimate act. However, this is probably not practical in the heat of the moment. I think you hit the nail on the head when you say that that adults seem to have little moral authority over the youth. I think this is the crux of the problem and I lay blame on a variety of factors – adults do not often limit the type of entertainment (television, movies) that young teens are exposed to – even video games often have sexual elements. It is no wonder that the teens are thinking about sex – it’s everywhere!! Condoms are probably a little too little too late, Pandora’s box has already been opened and most adults are frankly too cowardly to take the moral stand. The best way to really change the behavior of the teens is for the adults to change their behavior.
I don’t know how the detail would work out. That is the devil, right? However, education is a must and condom should be made available for free if possible. We have this fight in the US. Cities who’s schools offer education and condoms have shown to have a lower teen birth rate and lower instances of disease.
Joel
Ignorance is not bliss. Young people are sexually active, with or without th condoms, so distrribution of the condoms will go a long way to help those wh want the help. Still some will not use condoms, but aat least those who would use it if it was available would be helped. Having condoms does not necessarily mean having sex. If anything it helps act as a deterrent, because it makes the couple stop and think.
Having sexual relations cannot be banned because sorrily all circumstances like local atmosphere, the media and many other instances improve this. As some may agree, to have condoms is not a logical reason to stop this relation even any couple refuses using that even though it is available to him/her. The basic burden is on the parents at home because they should treat with their children kindly and dare to speak frankly of their private behaviour with each other.
But we should create a specific way and that is limit doubtful relations by strengthen religious beliefs and as far as I know some popular religions like Muslim has a absolute solution and Muslim people reduce this problem by far.
Anyway, distribution of condoms can be useful but the age of individuals should be considered.
i fully agree with this. Condoms should be given to teenagers in schools because kids will do what they want either way. Some many girls are pregnant here at my school and are still having their babies. I have asked them and they have said that they are pregnant because they did not have a condom and because they will not kill a baby, their baby, because killing is wrong. A baby might be a bad idea at a young age and in high school but they have said they rather be strong and deal with having a baby then killing one. Condoms should be able in high schools because it might make the couple think and talk about having safe sex. i would write more but i have to get back to working on my progect.
condoms shouldn’t be distributed in schools instead of all the worries of getting pregnant you can try to abstain sex can wait you won’t die without having sex