Introduction to the Problem and Proposing a Solution
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a significant public health issue, particularly among adolescents. Youth ages make up nearly half of the 26 million STIs that happened in the United States in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (CDC, n.d., para. 1). There is undoubtedly an issue that must be handled. As parents, teachers, and community members, we all have a legitimate interest in keeping our children healthy and secure.
One strategy to prevent the spread of STIs and unintended pregnancies while simultaneously encouraging healthy sexual activity is the free distribution of condoms in high schools. As someone who has been involved in sexual health education, I can attest to the positive impact that providing free contraception in high schools can have. Today, I would want to propose that high schools give their pupils free condoms. I’ll talk about the problem of STIs and unintended pregnancies among teenagers, offer evidence for a successful response, and provide ideas for how we may achieve this.
Evidence, Addressing Counterarguments, and Implementation Strategies
Teenagers face significant health risks from STIs and unplanned births. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis rates have been on the rise in recent years, according to the CDC (2021), especially among young individuals. Furthermore, nearly one in every four adolescent females will become pregnant before hitting the age of 20 (CDC, 2019). These figures are concerning and necessitate intervention.
According to research, offering free contraceptives in high schools can be a successful way of preventing the spread of STIs and unwanted pregnancies. Namely, Wang et al. (2018) discovered that schools that offered free contraceptives had a lower incidence of STIs and unintended births than institutions that did not. Furthermore, a study demonstrated that the majority of adolescents who received access to free condoms at school used them (Andrzejewski et al., 2019).
Free contraceptive distribution in high schools is a straightforward and effective method to handle the significant health risks of STIs and unplanned pregnancies among teens. Nonetheless, some opponents of this strategy debate the issue. As an illustration, opponents of free condom distribution in high schools declare that it encourages promiscuity and conveys an incorrect message to students.
Yet, Strickland et al. (2020) discovered that adolescents granted free condoms were more likely to postpone sexual activity and use precautions when they were sexually inclined. Furthermore, some contend that it is not the duty of institutions to provide condoms but instead to parents. However, not all parents are confident discussing sex with their children or giving them contraceptives.
Another objection is that it contradicts religious or moral views. However, it is essential to remember that not all pupils share the same faith or ethical context. Making condoms available to students does not impose any specific belief system on them but rather enables them to make educated choices. Now that we have discussed some issues, let us look at some answers and possibilities for making this a reality.
Call to Action
There is a specific strategy in place to guarantee that high schools provide condoms for free to their students. The plan would be carried out by giving contraceptives discreetly and privately. Condoms could be kept in school medical clinics, toilets, or other private places for students to use as required. Schools could also provide instructional tools and resources to help students comprehend the significance of secure sexual behavior and how to use contraceptives effectively.
First, we can use public awareness initiatives and advocacy efforts to teach parents and educators about the advantages of offering free contraceptives in schools. Second, we can lobby for laws that make it simpler for schools to hand out free condoms, such as financing for the distribution of condom programs. Finally, we can urge schools to collaborate with neighborhood health clinics to supply students with extra tools and assistance. We can help guarantee that every student in high school has access to the tools they need to remain healthy and form informed choices about their sex lives. Now that we have investigated the issue, it is time to draw some conclusions.
Conclusion
Ultimately, offering free contraceptives in high schools is an easy and efficient way to handle the significant health issues of STIs and unplanned births among teens. Opponents claim it encourages promiscuity and violates religious or moral views, but the investigation has demonstrated that it does not. Condoms can be distributed discreetly and privately in schools’ health centers, toilets, and other places.
We can educate parents and educators, fight for laws that make it simpler for schools to offer free condoms, and urge schools to collaborate with local health facilities to guarantee that. We can help ensure that all high school students are given the tools they need to remain healthy and make informed choices about their sexual well-being by taking these measures. I encourage you to take action to promote the supply of free contraceptives in high schools, whether that means speaking with your local educational institutions’ board, writing your legislators, or simply beginning a discussion about the significance of sexual health education with those who are close to you. Let us work together to keep our youth healthy, secure, and educated about their sexual lives.
References
Andrzejewski, J., Liddon, N., & Leonard, S. B. (2019). Condom availability programs in schools: A review of the literature. American Journal of Health Promotion, 33(3), 457–467. Web.
CDC. (n.d.). Adolescents and young adults | prevention | STDs | CDC. Web.
CDC. (2019). About teen pregnancy. Web.
CDC. (2021). STI prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates infographic. Web.
Strickland, J. C., Marks, K. R., & Bolin, B. L. (2020). The condom purchase task: A hypothetical demand method for evaluating sexual health decision‐making. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 113(2), 435–448. Web.
Wang, T. C., Lurie, M. N., Govindasamy, D., & Mathews, C. (2019). The effects of school-based condom availability programs (CAPs) on condom acquisition, use, and sexual behavior: A systematic review. Aids and Behavior, 22(1), 308–320. Web.