Distributing Condoms to High School Students Essay Example

unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV” (2013).

Eisner also states that “Dr. David Kaplan says, teens are not always consistent with condom use” (2013). Therefore, distributing these condoms in high school should follow along with the proper education so students understand why they need to use this protection. Allowing sexual education classes in high school will ensure that students know and understand about sex the right way. High school teachers should not just give away condoms as a treat. They should definitely come along with a manual. If teachers are allowed to teach the students the right way it would decrease confusion from students and worry from parents.

Some parents may worry that their child is too young to know about the topic. Parents have to keep in mind that teachers are trying to prepare students for when they are ready. Again, parents and teachers do not know when the thought of sex crosses the mind of a student. The one thing that they both will know is that the students are well informed of the pros and cons that were taught and a safe contraceptive method was provided. Shaquana Reed states, “The course discusses more steps students should take to protect themselves once they’ve already began having intercourse” (2012).

So not only will these courses be beneficial to students that have not yet been sexually active, but it is beneficial to students who already are. Parents, do you know if your child is already having intercourse? Are you sure that they are protecting themselves? The problem is many parents do not know that this is something there child is doing. A

lot of parents are even afraid to approach their child about the issue. Allowing the students to attend sex education courses and receive the condom can give a parent a sound mind.

Future success would be more likely from high school students who do not get pregnant. If high school students were distributed condoms, it could lower the statistics of teen pregnancy, increase the graduation rate, and result in more college graduates. Overall, when high school students are given the opportunity to do better and succeed, then they will take that opportunity. Parents of a female student have to think about the consequences of their daughter not using condoms during intercourse.

What if she gets pregnant? Statistics show that “in 2012, there were 29.4 births for every 1,000 adolescent female’s ages 15-19, or 305,420 babies born to females in this age group. Not all teen births are first births. In 2012, almost one in five (17 percent) births to 15- to 19-year olds were to females who already had one or more babies” (“Trends for Teen Pregnancy”, 2013, para. 1 & 2). Students of that age group are not ready to take on the responsibility of raising a child and it could affect how their future proceeds. Will they graduate? It is possible that students who have a child at that age can graduate but the rates of graduation are decreasing.

Studies show that “Thirty percent of all teenage girls who drop out of school cite pregnancy and parenthood as key reasons. Only 40 percent of teen mothers finish high school” (“Teen Pregnancy”, 2013, para. 1 & 2). It is less likely

for a student who does not finish high school to go to college and finish. Studies also show that “Fewer than 2 percent of teen mothers finish college by age 30” (“Teen Pregnancy”, 2013, para. 2). Although, these statistics are likely to happen to women, the male students can be affected as well.

Having a student being given a condom at school is strictly a decision that a parent has to ultimately decide on. It is no one’s right but the parents to determine whether their child is ready to take on that type of knowledge or handle and utilize a tool, such as the condom, that could change a life. The most important point out of it all is that the student is fully prepared. Whether the lesson is coming from school or at home, it is still affecting both teachers and parents if the student does not succeed.

Both adults feel the need to be a part of the student’s life in a learning and growing perspective. Many parents may also argue that the topic of sex should be left up to the parent and it should leave the schools out of it. Again, that is a parent’s decision, but what if the parent is not fully educated about the topic? What if some important factors are left out? A child has the right to know not some of what is going on, but everything. No one can determine when a person is ready to learn about something but that person and when they are ready no one can stop them.

This concept applies to sex as well. Parents and

teachers have to understand and ask themselves, where will they be when the students are having intercourse? What if the student decides to have intercourse at school? Should the argument of ‘the schools should stay out of it’ still apply? Wouldn’t the parent want the teachers to get involved if the child was acting at school? All of these questions have to be carefully considered by all adults. It is not about the adult and how they feel, it is all about the student, the child, and what is in their best interest.

Students should be distributed free condoms in high school because it will ensure safe sex, accurate knowledge, and help with future life success. It could ensure safe sex by providing and teaching about the contraceptive method. It could provide accurate knowledge by allowing the schools to teach about sex to distribute the condom. Also test books would be provided and pros and cons could be taught. Students will learn the right way and also parents who are afraid to approach their child, thinking that they are not ready, could have a sound mind.

If teachers distribute condoms and teach about sex it could lead to a successful future for students by leading them out of high school without the responsibility and burden of a baby. It would lower the statistics of teen pregnancy and teens with STD’s and also have higher graduation rates and college graduates. “Eleven percent of male and 15% of female high school students report using no method of contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy during last sexual intercourse (among those who were currently sexually active).

Rates

of teen pregnancy are higher in the U. S. than in other countries, in part because adolescents in the U. S are less likely to use contraception. Hormonal methods of birth control (such as the pill) and barrier methods (such as condoms) can reduce the risk pregnancy, and condom use with every sexual act can greatly reduce- though not eliminate- the risk of STDs. Condom and contraceptive use among adolescents has increased since the 1990s, but many adolescents are inconsistent users: of those who had a sex in past month, almost one in four males and almost four in ten females did not use a condom” (“Contraceptive”, 2013, para. 1 ). Parents should not allow this to be their child going unprotected. Allow the schools to help.