Does access to condoms prevent teen pregnancy?
Stop pretending teens do not have sex, and instead provide access to birth control!
Although parents do not like to admit it, teens everywhere are having sexual relations. Parents try their best to raise children: to teach them right and wrong, and the difference between appropriate behavior and inappropriate behavior. However, teenage sexual relations have little to do with parents, and much more to do with teenage culture and pressures from peers. The world of teenagers is governed by different norms and 'rules' than that of parents or mixed groups. Within the teenage group, it is normal to be rebellious and to want to explore things that seem exciting, grown up, or 'cool'. Sex is, and will always be, one of these things. Since the desire to explore sex is a given, the best thing we can do is to provide teens with access to birth control, including condoms. With this, a considerable amount of teenage pregnancy can be prevented, although unfortunately not all.
Posted by: SpikyWesleyOf course it'll prevent teen pregnancy!
The problem in American society is that teen sex is viewed as a bad thing and schools teach children it as if it's as bad as doing drugs! Everyone knows that 99% of teens who are told what to do, they will not obey. Teens are Parents shouldn't feel weird about the topic, it's a natural thing in our human nature. Would you rather know that your child is safe with access to condoms? Or are you ready to have grandchildren? Even if some teens do get pregnant, this time, it'll be their fault because they had a CHOICE to use condoms.
Posted by: AnonymousOf course it does.
I don't want kids, I am way too young and I have sex. I am not ready for kids and having access to condoms would be a lot easier for me and the other teenagers that have sex. So unless you and the other controlling parents want grandkids then I suggest you make it easier for us to get condoms because we're going to have sex regardless.
Posted by: Anonymousyes,i think so.
i think with more education about sex, more teens would go to buy condoms without too much embarrassment. anyway, it's an effective and easy way to have safe sex.so, the more significant aspect is to provide more education, to inform teens how to prevent pregnancy and tell them there is nothing wrong wtih it.
Posted by: AnonymousDefinately
I think if all teenagers had condoms it would help. In the heat of the moment they would be available. These things just happen and aren't usually planned. Teenagers are driven by hormones. Condoms are expensive and some teenagers are embarrassed to buy them or are afraid someone they know might see them purchasing them. It certainly couldn't hurt.
Posted by: KTCYes, having access to condoms help prevent teen pregnancy, because they make sure that even if the teens have sex, they do not have to have a baby.
Unprotected sex has a chance of causing pregnancy. And once a teenager experiences their first bout of sex, they are unlikely to stop. So it would only be a matter of time before the unprotected sex caused a pregnancy. The moral and religious stigmas that used to be in place to guilt teens into not having sex are no longer as strong, and teens are going to have sex. It is just a matter of if they will be protected and safe, or unprotected and risking more than just an unwanted pregnancy.
Posted by: H_BairdYes, access to condoms helps prevent teen pregnancy, because it makes it easier for teens to choose safe sex.
I believe that teens should have access to comprehensive sex education and methods of contraception, like condoms, because it allows them to make informed choices about sex. Studies have shown that many teens are going to have sex, whether they have the necessary information and access to contraception or not. Providing them access to condoms just makes it more likely that, when they do choose to have sex, it will be safer sex.
Posted by: RattyJame80Access to condoms?
Yes!! I strongly believe teenagers, especially students, should have condoms at their disposal! Yes, some people seem to think that just because they are there. They need to be used! But I do t think that is the case! Condoms are not 100 percent effective! But if you are that worried, just don't do it!
Posted by: Tilr_4Of course access to condoms prevent pregnancy but NOT only that.
It prevents parenthood at an early age, infections and diseases. Not having access to condoms will increase those who get pregnant and get STD's. We know our teens aren't supposed to be having sex and having access to condoms doesn't mean we are saying it's okay, but we are not with them 24 hours. It's best to encourage our kids to protect themselves if they are going to do it.
Posted by: AnonymousAccess to condoms helps prevent teenage pregnancies, just as much as it helps prevent pregnancy later in life.
Condoms themselves are important to preventing teen pregnancy, but education is perhaps even more important. Even if, as some opponents say, access to condoms somehow 'encouraged' teens to have sex, at least they would prevent those sexually active teens from having unwanted pregnancies. So I believe that access to condoms is an important step in sexual education for teens.
Posted by: BrownDustin82Access to condoms most certainly helps prevent teen pregnancy, just the same as preventing adult pregnancies, because that is what they are made for.
If you can guarantee one thing, it's that teens will usually do what they want, and that includes sex. It's an age where sex is thought about more on a daily basis than any other time in life. Expecting them to be abstinent is absolutely ridiculous. Right-wing Christian fundamentalists seem to forget what it was like to be a teenager. So rather than expecting the impossible, I say let's give them the tools to at least perform sexual activity safely.
Posted by: AnonymousYes I think it does.
I think that more teens, not all, would use condoms if they had more access to them and they didn't feel embarrassed about getting them. I think that part of the reason they don't use them is from being embarrassed to buy them at the store in the first place or worried someone they know will see them buy them. Once the teen has the condoms along with some education I think they are more likely to practice safe sex.
Posted by: AnonymousAccess to condoms most certainly helps prevent teen pregnancy, just the same as preventing adult pregnancies, because that is what they are made for.
If you can guarantee one thing, it's that teens will usually do what they want, and that includes sex. It's an age where sex is thought about more on a daily basis than any other time in life. Expecting them to be abstinent is absolutely ridiculous. Right-wing Christian fundamentalists seem to forget what it was like to be a teenager. So rather than expecting the impossible, I say let's give them the tools to at least perform sexual activity safely.
Posted by: BrianDjPrevents STI's too!
While pregnancy is a major consequence to teens having sex, just as troubling is the STI rates among teens. Birth control, like the pill, can prevent a girl to become pregnant but does not protect either partner from getting an STI. The most common symptom of an STI is not having any symptoms at all, but can have devastating long term effects if an STI goes untreated.
Posted by: AnonymousYes I agree, if teens had better access to condoms I believe the pregnancy rate would go down.
I was a teenager not that long ago myself. I was embarrassed to go in the store to purchase condoms and/or didn't have the money to purchase condoms. I feel as though if it's more readily accessible then more teens would pick them up instead of having unprotected sex. This study has been done many times and it is proven in most cases, that the teen pregnancy rate drops.
Posted by: decadestcgIt may not have a huge effect, but it'll have an effect because, without access, pregnancy rates would certainly be higher.
Access to condoms will have some effect on teen pregnancy. It may not be a perfect solution but, without access, the chances are much higher. The problem becomes whether the teenagers use them, even with access. Access to condoms is not as effective as it can be, because it requires the participants to actually use what they are given access to. But, whatever effect it may have, even if less effective then it has the potential for, it does help prevent some teen pregnancy.
Posted by: KnownEvan
It doesn't help!
Because if you know sex you can't prevent yourself about the use of condoms, may change your mind and have sex. The more you get access to condoms the more sexually active you will be. Don't experience sex until you get married and prevent using condoms. Keep yourself away from condoms!
Posted by: AnonymousAccess to condoms does not prevent teen pregnancy, and a whole new attitude towards young role models will have more of an impact.
Access to condoms might help prevent a few instances of teen pregnancy, but for better impact, I believe the role of young women on television should be considered. Young women see singers and actresses dressed like "ladies of the night", dancing half naked, using very suggestive moves. That example is followed by younger girls in their hometown, at parties, in the malls, without them fully understanding that what they see on TV is just an act. Teens need to understand the dignity and sanctity of their own body, and in doing so, they will think twice before going to bed and finding themselves pregnant.
Posted by: NWintersHaving access to condoms does not always prevent teen pregnancy, because some teens refuse to use them, while others are afraid to ask for them.
Fear plays one of the biggest parts for teens not to get the condoms that are available to them. From embarrassment of a teacher or doctor knowing, to the fear of their parents finding out they are sexually active, all teens are not using condoms. While condoms do help with the prevention of STDs and pregnancy, without instructions on how to properly use them, mistakes will happen which can cause teen pregnancy.
Posted by: jennydiaz118No...just no..
I had to break what was at this time a 50-50 argument. Of course this won't "prevent teenage pregnancy" because there will always be teens who get pregnant...there will always be that one teenage guy that gets a teenage girl pregnant. That will never stop. SO yes, condoms should be readily available...but teens will be teens no matter what you give them.
Posted by: destiny19721No, condoms do not prevent teenage pregnancy.
While condoms do provide some protection against pregnancy, there is always the risk that the condom will fail. Either by ripping during use, or by a flawed condom, there is the chance of semen getting out of the condom and causing pregnancy. So no, condoms - or access to them - do not always prevent teen pregnancies.
Posted by: 5h4tAnkINo
No it doesnt, because teens coud have all the access in the world to condoms or contraceptives, but it just depends on if they actually want to use them or not, teens could have no access or all the access, it all boils down to the teens point of view on the situation. I'm not saying that it doesnt completely stop the prevention because it does help a little, but it really does no good.
Posted by: AnonymousNo
I had to write about this for a college class & I am a teenager myself. I know its embarrassing to ask an adult or yet even mention it to your parents. Then again you have those teens that get under the influence & decide to make those decisions then usually not even worrying about a condom. Also teens tend to not have a lot of money & some may feel its just a waste to buy them when they can do the magnificent pull out method. Either way they are not 100% protected.
Posted by: limegreen_girlaccess to condoms prevent teen pregnancy
They don't protect against teen pregnancy, Some condoms don't always protect it. If ur seriously worried about getting pregnante then get a chasity belt. But wear a condom to stay safe. Dont become a mommy or a daddy.
Posted by: Anonymousno, though i do believe they should be readily availiable
obviously not. all too many times i have heard some foolish teen talk about why he likes to go in bareback. he list some ill concieved justifications for his actions and soon after he joins the ranks of teen fathers. the problem is that teenagers are impulsive and lack the ability to understand longterm effects.
Posted by: AnonymousNo it won't
I don't think that the access to condoms prevents teen pregnancy. This is because teens don't care or think about it when they are in the moment. Most teens are also way to embarrassed or scared to talk to their parents about sex and especially when it comes to asking for condoms. I think that the safest way to not get pregnant is to not have sex. You can use whatever type of condom that you want but it is not 100% for sure that you won't get pregnant you eventually will so just do not have sex.
Posted by: Anonymousaccess to condoms does not prevent teenage pgregancy at all.
access to condoms may not necessarily prevent teenage pregnancy in a sense that it is up to the partners:boy or girl or both on whether or not they use protection and at times there may be incidents where the condom may break when having sexual intercourse! The girl may feel pressure from her partner and not want to use protection.
Posted by: n0siNO!
Just because you give it to them, doesn't mean they will use them. they have their own opinions and views on the idea of using condoms during sexual activity. and no matter what you tell them to do, at the end of the day they will do what they want to do.
Posted by: AnonymousNot really.
It's not like condoms are hard to pick up, so pretty much everyone has access to them unless you live in the middle of nowhere in a small town of fundamentalist Christians who would sooner have you neutered than using birth control. When you have condoms, you either don't use them or you use them as an excuse to have way too much sex, and eventually you end up pregnant anyway.
Posted by: AlwaysMoreThanYouCondoms Can Break!
Birth Control and Condoms aren't the best way to go if you are choosing to have sex because a condom can easily break. Then you can depend on birth control... And even with birth control you can still get pregnant.. No sex is the best way to go, however you will get curious and you will want to have sex...
Posted by: Anonymous