The Catholic conservatives and proponents of reproductive health are now on a heated argument again when health department announced its plan to distribute condoms in schools. The said plan would tolerate the youth to engage in acts of premarital sex which is according to some can even aggravate cases of teenage pregnancy and abortion in case of failed use of contraceptives.
Contraceptives particularly condoms are important in this changing world. They don't just secure the future of anyone because of unplanned pregnancy but most importantly halt the spread of SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES.
Sex (as act) is big deal in still developing conservative nation like Philippines. Catholic dogma still has its grasps in the society which makes it challenging for the government to step up its campaign on population control.
In my opinion, distribution of condoms is one of the many things that the government can do. I was expecting to hear sex education so this really came to me as surprise.
My diverse nature doesn't seem bothered by conservative's position on this. There must be a set of options from which both youngs and adults can choose based on their beliefs but all sacrosanct to individual safety and effects to general well-being of all.
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| Image source: aattp.org |
Sex education must focus on having a healthy relationship with partner rather than on demonized notion of sex. It will offer a balance of freedom and responsibility- this can be done without teaching the young population to become promiscuous.
Educating the young people about the detriment of unprotected sexual acts to their health and their future can help a lot. Philippines has one of the fast- rising cases of HIV in the world.
Free access to contraceptives has to be relaxed but this follows after sex education which will include eradicating the stigma of what has been already existing- HIV/AIDS. AWARENESS not only prevents people from acquiring this life threatening disease but also encourages people to undergo a TEST without fear of being isolated because of mind-conditioning wrong information like Philippines is grappled by- WE HAVE TO CAST IGNORANCE from the consciousness of people.
Education starts at parental level. Parents can prepare their children for the crucial stage of adulthood by teaching them the importance of loyalty and abstinence.
Schools as another institution along with religion and government may offer wide array of alternatives in which using of condom is ONE. This is not obligatory but as I have mentioned BASED ON BELIEFS.
The irreconcilable differences of church and government are the main reason why the two act separately and independent to each other. Unfortunately, these differences put the public, economy and even the whole country at risk.
