Should Schools Provide Free Condoms?

I came across this story in the Philadelphia Inquirer asking whether schools should provide free condoms. I thought that high schools had to do that, but apparently 50-plus high schools in the Philadelphia area aren't up to code -- thanks to their own school system.

Clapping, banging drums and waving signs, the activist group that successfully pushed for condom distribution in some city schools 17 years ago yesterday demanded the prophylactics be given out in all public high schools as a way of preventing teen pregnancy and controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

"Youth need the truth! Condoms save lives!" they shouted in front of the Philadelphia School District building and City Hall.

Members of ACTUP Philadelphia, an AIDS awareness organization, are calling on Mayor Nutter and Arlene Ackerman, the new schools chief executive officer, to seek an increase in city, state and federal funds to expand the condom program to all city high schools.

Last school year, Philadelphia students took home 90,000 free condoms.

Currently, "health resource centers" in 11 high schools distribute condoms to students in 9th through 12th grades, and two more will open in the fall. That means that students in 49 high schools have no access to contraceptives, despite a district policy supporting "involvement in citywide efforts to maximize access to condoms."

A district spokeswoman said a lack of funding is the reason the program has not expanded [Source]

Philadelphia Public Schools is f*cking up. PPS seems to be neglecting a smaller, yet important issue with this …

Despite what the media will tell you, many teenagers – and adults – are still embarrassed about buying prophylactics.

I remember when the condom section in CVS was in the front of the store. You didn’t want anyone to see that you were buying condoms, even though it’s the right action to take.

One of my favorite scenes from Golden Girls is when Blanche, Rose and Dorothy go into the drug store to buy condoms. While Blanche, the resident bust-it-baby of the crew, sets everyone straight about playing it safe, it’s a testament to how practicing healthy sexual practices are still taboo.

And it shouldn’t be. Are athletes afraid to go out in public and buy condoms? They shouldn’t be, especially since they are the ones that REALLY need to watch their ass when it comes to who they choose to sleep with. They are ways to circumvent that fear. Brands like Trojan and drug stores like CVS and Walgreens offer product delivery. Bulk packs (yes, bulk packs) are available through Amazon.

The fear of producing a baby or the clap should drive someone to be safe. The fear of being “caught” for having sex drives someone to risk their life.

Group: Schools should provide free condoms [Philadelphia Inquirer]