From ASHA’s Fred Wyand
The condom. All sorts of shapes, sizes, colors (even glow-in-the-dark). Ribbed or plain. Lubed or not. Latex or plastic (and natural skin, although that variety isn’t as effective as the others against sexually transmitted infections). Now we even have internal condoms, too.
When I was a teen, my fellow adolescent wise-guys and I were a bit awed by condoms. They were serious business back in the day; simply possessing one conferred a certain level of credibility. They were kind of scary, too, a foil-wrapped reminder that we were taking our first steps into the world of adults and serious stuff. You were never quite sure how to use one, despite the best efforts of the basketball coach who was co-opted into double duty as the generic “health” teacher (which resulted in the Commonwealth of Virginia entrusting him with our school’s fledgling sex ed curriculum for boys. I think he taught driver’s ed one semester, too).
Condoms were exotic, mysterious, and, as I mentioned, a bit intimidating: come on, does anyone really need to unroll one all the way? They were ABSOLUTELY hidden from our parents, too, with the same level of Top Secret access usually assigned to a pack of smokes or a purloined copy of Playboy.
That latter point was a problem, of course, and I suspect it’s not altogether different today. Given how many teens are sexually active, how often they don’t use protection, and the fact that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are rampant in young people (half of all STIs occur in youth…HALF!) it’s important that we put condoms in a distinguished front and center, full-view position.
The humble condom
Condoms are inexpensive, easy to find, not hard to use (a little instruction never hurts, though!) and really, really effective against HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, and a host of other STIs when used—as the public health mantra goes—consistently and correctly. Not a bad choice against unintended pregnancy, either.
A Message for Parents
Parents: Your kids won’t have sex because they learn about condoms (trust me, they’ll figure out about sex regardless). But with your guidance, they can learn how to protect themselves when they do become sexually active. Along with condoms, testing is key: STIs often don’t have obvious signs and symptoms and, given how common they are among teens, the prevention message of safer sex and testing really should be part of the conversation. Sure, you’re nervous, it’s not the easiest thing to discuss, and I get it. Don’t worry—do your best, be genuine, let them know they can talk to you about anything (including sex) and tell them about condoms. ASHA has a parent’s guide to help you have the birds and bees talk, too.
Everybody else: Did I mention condoms work? They do! Use them, admire them, give them to your best buds, and take them seriously. Visit our National Condom Month page for loads of great resources.