Should High Schools Give out FREE Condoms?

Pjran I don't think the school giving them out would be encouraging, teens will do what they want to do regardless but at least if they have been given protection it encourages safe sex (and lowers STIs and unwanted pregnancies)

Most teens either aren't aware of where they can get them for free or are embarrased to have to ask.

SamGoodship they might also be embarrassed asking at school especially if their friends see them going to the school nurse.

Pjran They could always be made available at school without asking. They could be handed out to everyone in a sex ed class, or made available in a spot where kids can grab them without having to ask (like some have already done with sanitary products)

SamGoodship I think lots of boys will just blow them up and throw them around taunting the girls. Are they being supplied by the manufacturers?

Pjran I agree with you. If schools give them out willy nilly (excuse the pun) it will give kids carte blanche to experiment before they are probably ready or thinking about it. 'Oh ok, if you're telling me it's ok for me to have sex at 12 i will go ahead even if it's not good for my physical or mental well being'.

It's like giving them free cigarettes in case they decide to start smoking, or alcohol, or sex toys etc. Again lazy parenting comes into this because it is their job as they know when their kids are ready. I would have cringed at learning this stuff at school but we don't seem to care that our kids are so worldly wise so young anymore.

Lynibis schools start sex education at an early stage these days.

Pjran too early in my opinion. When I read about kids being taught this stuff at 4+ it does make me wonder who is pushing this agenda.

Lynibis I really don't think you can compare condoms (that prevent against STIs and unwanted pregnancies) with Ciggarettes, Alcohol or Sex Toys.

SamGoodship it was just a comparison (maybe not a good one) of telling kids, or anyone else for that matter, that they shouldn't be doing something but then giving them the tools to do it.

Lynibis I don't think it's just how kids are today, it's always been the away among teenagers really. At least with being given free condoms, they are doing it safely. Just my view anyway.

SamGoodship I do tend to disagree on this one. I was at school in 50s and 60s and we were nowhere near as sexualised as the kids of today. We were not exposed to ***********, the dark side of social media, programmes like Love Island that promote promiscuity, clothing that covered hardly anything etc. Yes there was the odd teen pregnancy but I work with kids in care and many around 8 years old are sexual in their speech and behaviour. I may be an old fuddy duddy but I believe kids were much happier when their innocence lasted longer.

JLouM Most teens would be embarrased to have to go and ask at the chemist and end up just being unprotected. If they were just given them at school (without having to ask) at least they would be safe from things like STi's and unwanted pregnancies. Just my view on it

SamGoodship I think we underestimate school children. If they are intelligent enough to learn and do exams they would go to chemist or doctor providing they had information. I remember being a teen at school and didn’t need it then but if I did I’m sure I would have done what was necessary. I think provide information by all means but providing them at school I disagree with. We had the sex education and this should come under education also.

JLouM Having to go and ask at the chemist isn't anything to do with intelligence level though, so you can't really compare it to 'the ability to learn and do exams'. It's about confidence and being able to go into a chemist where you might see people you know and ask an adult for condoms, a lot of teens would find embarrassing.

My school didn't do sex ed classes until the end of year 11 by which time it was too late for most of the teens there.

SamGoodship Things must have changed a lot since I was at school. It would still be embarrassing asking there and more likely to be seen by the people you know. However the fact that are health services are fast becoming difficult to access it could possibly work from the health/welfare officer.

Leannexxx I think sex education is an important thing either parents or the school need to teach kids so they understand how their bodies work and how to do things safely, and of course about consent.

I don't think by offering free condoms anyone is saying they can go and sleep around, it goes hand in hand with being taught sex ed. Teens will do what they want to do in that regard, but at least they can be made aware and given the tools to do so safely.

Mango4 Schools would never be asked or expected to 'pry' into a young persons sexual activity. It would not ever be appropriate to do so.

I think either being given to everyone without question (like in a sex ed class where they are also taught how to use one) or there should be a safe area where kids can just grab them without asking (as some do already with sanitary products)

SamGoodship In which case the majority would not be used for the appropriate purposes , and schools would be littered with opened unused condoms.

SaveMeSunday Yes, high school. So around ages 10-16.