Mr. Bordner seems to be completely missing the idea of these free condom giveaways. While in a perfect world, everyone is waiting until matrimony to engage in sex, this trend ended long ago. Condoms aren’t meant for people with HIV to have sex with non-HIV infected partners to cross their fingers hoping for the best. Condoms are meant for people who, yes, Mr. Bordner plug your ears, are casually having sex for other reasons than procreation.
Controlling libidos isn’t the same as controlling hate and prejudice because our society isn’t based around those principals. Like it or not, our society is strongly influenced by sex and no editorials or inspirational speeches are going to change that. As unfortunate as you may see it, abstinence is a fight lost long ago. No matter how much you try there will still be two freshmen in Stradley using the pull-out method and taking their chances because they want their kicks for the night. Free condom giveaways are not for the purpose of encouraging people to have pre-marital sex. The choice has already been made. Whether or not these people have condoms, they are going to be having sex.
Free condom giveaways are simply to get poor and lazy college students who would otherwise not be having safe sex, to have an easier, safer option for their choice. While it’s not the ideal situation to concede saying “well there’s nothing we can do about it, so we may as well give them condoms”, you are not going to stop college students from engaging in sex. Giving them condoms is a lot better then letting their lack of cash, or patience, urge them into something unsafe. I also don’t know where you get your statistics for the effectiveness of condoms. I have never heard a failure rate as high as 15 percent.
Finally, you tell the people of Ohio State to abstain from sex because it “gives zero protection from emotional, spiritual and mental consequences.” This is also a terrible comparison. Thousands of people end relationships everyday and it can be just as hurtful in all three of those categories whether sex is involved or not. As you suggest, a relationship is about an emotional, spiritual and mental connection and the ending of those connections can create plenty of pain. It doesn’t take sex to hurt someone.
I’m not saying that pre-marital sex is the ideal. I’m telling you once again to be realistic. People, especially high school and college students, are going to have pre-marital sex. You can’t stop that and giving condoms to people who wouldn’t use them otherwise, at least assures a bit of safety. Why do you think America loved Temptation Island? Sex is a huge part of our society. We love any and every little suggestion of sex. If you can’t deal with that, you better dig a hole because it’s going to be a long 21st Century.
Jeff WalcoffSophomoreCommunications
