In Our Opinion: Immoral society encourages young people to have sex

Condoms don't stop STDs anyhow. Studies show that in preventing HIV, condoms fail 31 percent of the time. Condoms offer very little protection against HPV, provide no protection from herpes, and there is virtually no difference in chlamydia diagnoses between persons who use and don't use condoms. Latex is manufactured. It has holes 5 microns wide. The HIV virus is a tenth of a micron.

Myths About Condoms

There continues to be misinformation and misunderstanding about condom effectiveness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the following updated information to address some common myths about condoms. This information is based on findings from recent epidemiologic, laboratory, and clinical studies.

Myth #1: Condoms don't work

Some persons have expressed concern about studies that report failure rates among couples using condoms for pregnancy prevention. Analysis of these studies indicates that the large range of efficacy rates is related to incorrect or i inconsistent use. The fact is: latex condoms are highly effective for pregnancy prevention, but only when they are used properly. Research indicates that only 30 to 60 percent of men who claim to use condoms for contraception actually use them for every act of intercourse. Further, even people who use condoms every time may not use them correctly. Incorrect use contributes to the possibility that the condom could leak from the base or break.

Myth #2: HIV can pass through condoms

A commonly held misperception is that latex condoms contain "holes" that allow passage of HIV. Although this may be true for natural membrane condoms, laboratory studies show that intact latex condoms provide a continuous barrier to microorganisms, including HIV, as well as sperm.

Myth #3: Condoms frequently break

Another area of concern expressed by some is about the quality of latex condoms. Condoms are classified as medical devices and are regulated by the FDA. Every latex condom manufactured in the United States is tested for defects before it is packaged. During the manufacturing process, condoms are double-dipped in latex and undergo stringent quality control procedures. Several studies clearly show that condom breakage rates in this country are less than 2 percent. Most of the breakage is due to incorrect usage rather than poor condom quality. Using oil-based lubricants can weaken latex, causing the condom to break. In addition, condoms can be weakened by exposure to heat or sunlight or by age, or they can be torn by teeth or fingernails.

It's difficult to live in a society that encourages immorality.

regisignunt (4/21/2008)

It's difficult to live in a society that encourages immorality.

Sounds like more fundamentalist brain-washing to me.

Sex is not a moral issue. It is a biological function with built-in pleasure to encourage propagation of the species. It's not 'good' or 'bad'. It just is. Attaching religious taboos to sex only complicates dealing with it.

It is, however, expedient and completely necessary to remember that sex can and will have certain physical/biological consequences. If society ever pulls its head out of the religious sand and realizes that we need to deal with sex openly, honestly, and matter-of-factly, rather than attaching a bunch of religious taboos to it, we'd all be better off.

RI.

SIDIgnunce (4/21/2008)

This country IS, and has been, WAY behind the times for many, many years as far as sex education goes. The old religious ways/teachings that sex for pleasure is dirty and nasty are ridiculous. Sex is not just for pro-creating. Humans having sex is one of the most natural things to do. It's like eating --- people are going to do it.

Take Canada, for instance...ever watch "Sex Talk" on TV with Sue Johansen? Her show has been on the Oxygen channel for several years and comes from Canada, where OPEN, HONEST talk about sex is discussed freely and without shame or guilt attached to it. She is a registered nurse and sex therapist and gives out advice and information in a professional way. Questions can even be called into the show when it is live and she will answer them right on the spot.

Simply telling or expecting teenagers not to have sex is ludicrous and shows the "head in the sand" philosophy of the so-called religious community. Teenager's hormones are raging, and they are going to have sex. Period. Wouldn't it be better to provide them with adequate information on how to protect themselves (and yes, that means condoms and BC's) from STD's, HIV, etc. I think so.

SIDIgnunce (4/21/2008)

KJV, your argument just lacks merit - that's all there is to it. I suggest that you get yourself out of the tired, old religious ways and upgrade to the 21st century.