"Condoms should always be available for safety's sake."
In February, we asked the TAG team to take the Find the Condom Challenge, to see if they could get condoms in their schools. The TAG team turned up with mixed results, but all agreed that condom access was a key part of keeping teens safe and healthy.
We also wanted to know what educators in their schools thought about condom access, so we sent TAG back into their schools to ask their teachers and principals some questions. Here's what they had to say.
In New York City, public high schools are required to provide condoms and a health resource room to students. Seven of the educators interviewed were aware of this and one was not. Here are some of their thoughts:
"If I could, I would give out condoms in my classroom. I think we should make it as easy as possible for teens to access condoms."
"I like the idea of a health resource room. Anything that can help educate students is a positive thing."
"I was aware of this because when I taught at a previous school I was in charge of the program and would distribute condoms to the students. This program began about 20 years ago and was implemented by the Board of Education."
When asked if condoms and a health resource room were available at their schools, four educators said they were available, two said they were not available, and two were not sure. Their comments included:
"Yes, we distribute condoms from our health resource room. Before getting a condom, the health educator interviews and counsels the student. All files are then kept confidential. If a parent does not want their child to access condoms, they can send a note to the school."
"Yes, students can access condoms, but it is a difficult process. It's embarrassing, and the student has to go through a lot of people before actually getting a condom."
"I don't think our school has a strong health program. I wouldn't even know where the teens go to get condoms at this school."
"We don't distribute condoms. We are a charter school and view it as optional. We feel it is up to the child to obtain condoms if they need them."
When asked if they supported teen access to condoms, all eight educators agreed that it is important. They said:
"Yes, offering condoms encourages safety. It is foolish to assume that abstinence is always practiced."
"Yes, I do. Statistically, condom access helps prevent teen pregnancy."
"Yes. Access to condoms can provide teens with protection from STDs and HIV. Though I would prefer that teens practiced abstinence, the reality is different."
"Yes. If teens are going to have sex, they might as well be safe."
Finally, all of the educators felt that making condoms available in schools was a key part of improving teen access. They noted:
"I think if teens could access condoms in school they would be more likely to have protected sex. Condoms should always be available for safety's sake."
"There are a few reasons that teens don't use condoms. I've had students tell me that they didn't use condoms because they didn't feel good or because they hadn't thought of it at the moment. But I think another reason is that teens don't always have condoms in the first place."
The fact is, condom availability programs work. One study compared public high schools in New York City (which has condom availability programs) and Chicago (which doesn't have condom availability programs). The researchers found that students in both cities were having sex at the same frequency — but the students in New York City were more likely to use condoms than the students in Chicago. Another study examined schools in Philadelphia with health resource centers, which make condoms available. The study found that students in schools with frequently used health resource centers were having sex less often, but using condoms more often. So much for the idea that condom availability programs promote sexual activity!
* * *
What would you like to hear TAG talk about? Send us a Talk Back comment with the subject line "TAG."
Sexuality and relationship info you can trust from Planned Parenthood® Federation of America
Printable Version
Email this page