Trojans for Tweens

 

Free condoms offered for 11 year olds

Citation: Kenworthy, Pete. Free Condoms Offered for 11 Year Olds. Retrieved from: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/national/free-condoms-offered-for-11-year-olds

This article details the new program offered by the Philadelphia department of health named Take Control Philly that will dispense free condoms to tweens and teens, ages 11-19. The article details young tweens and teens that cut school to have sex, have sex in the bathrooms, or even on the school yard. Philadelphia is having a huge surge of tweens and teens affected by sexually transmitted disease and they're trying to combat these numbers by giving away contraceptives. This movement of course has been met with adversity, with many people outraged that children so young are being handed condoms. Many feel that abstinence should be taught, and many are wondering where adults and parents are when all of this is happening. Many articles and news segments are being written and filmed in opposition to Philadelphia's program. It really is hard to find an objective news piece on this topic.

On one hand, I definitely see both sides. Isn't 11 too young? We're talking about 5th and 6th graders here. Should we be handing them condoms? Is that tantamount to condoning sex for such a young age group? On the other hand, reports in Philadelphia are showing that they are doing it. So, is it better to at least protect them? I personally think that any contraceptives should be paired with proper education about sexual behaviors. Many thing discussing abstinence is unrealistic, however giving information about how sexual activity at too young of an age can be harmful to one's body might be beneficial. I understand those that say throwing free condoms at 11 year olds can be harmful; are we giving tweens permission to engage in sexual activity? In my opinion Philadelphia needs to be ramping up its sexual education programs as much as its contraceptive programs. And maybe even education for parents. I don't disagree with protection, but I think just as much information should be given regarding prevention.

And I do agree with some naysayers; how the heck is this happening on campus?

Resources:

Take Control Philly

http://www.takecontrolphilly.org/

Philadelphia Department of Health

http://www.phila.gov/health/