If you are going to do it, put on a condom.
That simple sexual education message was drilled into some Jumbos' heads since far before they were of consenting age. All this sex ed has apparently been paying off, according to a recent study by the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University.
The study found that 80 percent of teenage boys and 69 percent of teenage girls with active sex lives reported using condoms the last time they had vaginal intercourse, which contrasts with the far lower percentage of adults who reported using condoms during casual intercourse. It should be noted that the maker of Trojan condoms sponsored the study and had a role in its development and the questions asked, although the authors insisted that relationship did not affect the results.
The findings are promising, as they indicate that a strong majority of young people have been educated well about the dangers of unsafe sex. Despite the prevalence of condom use among teens, however, sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates among teens are, unfortunately, higher than ever. There is, therefore, still more work to be done in educating teens about safe sex, and new federally funded programs look to accomplish this.
The encouraging report that a large majority of teens practice safe sex comes alongside news that — for the first time in more than 10 years — there will be federally funded sexual education programs that are not abstinence-only. Some studies have shown that abstinence-only programs have little to no effect on teens' sexual habits, therefore leaving teens woefully unprepared if they do decide to dip their proverbial toes into sexual waters. These new, holistic sex education programs — funded by a five-year $375 million federal grant — are a step in the right direction.
Despite these positive developments in sexual health education, what matters most is that individuals are empowered to practice safe sex. Thankfully for Tufts students, condoms are freely available in the Heath Service building. Though it might be somewhat difficult to discreetly nab some condoms from the supply in the Health Service lobby, compared to other schools, Tufts makes it relatively easy for students to practice safe sex.
Drew University in Madison, N.J., recently decided to remove the basket of free condoms in the lobby of its student health services department because students were taking too many condoms at one time. Even though free condoms are still available to students who ask their resident assistants for them, this creates a very real and awkward obstacle that can prevent students from getting proper protection in the heat of the moment.
Tufts students should be thankful that they attend a university that works to make protection available to students without erecting an unnecessary barrier in the form of a uncomfortable conversation with an RA.
