By Reverend Stephen-Claude Hyatt, Contributor
A FEW years ago, there was debate on the subject of the issuing of condoms in schools. Many objected as they felt the introduction of condoms in schools would lead to an increase in sexual activity by students. Others stated that it would send the wrong message to the children, that we were condoning their sexual practices.
In the wake of startling figures and societal realities, we must revisit this topic with a view to helping our children. It has been suggested that children are becoming sexually active at an earlier age. Many have had their first sexual encounter from as early as primary school, and have continued same throughout their adolescent lives, becoming more and more promiscuous. The question at this point therefore is, would it be considered more dangerous to issue or not to issue condoms in schools?
Increase in teenage pregnancy
Let us look at a few statistics. According to a release from the National Family Planning Board, at the end of 1999, 709 girls under the age of 15 became pregnant. During that same year, almost 11,000 girls between 15-19 became pregnant. Both figures had shown increases over the previous year.
According to the 1997 Reproductive Health Survey, "For every 1,000 teenagers within the 15-19 age group, there were 112 births". If I may add that this figure reflected births for the period, not pregnancies. These figures have no doubt increase over the past year, which for me is a depressing reality. This I believe is cause for concern, and educational talks alone are not enough.
Guidance counsellors will advise that they spend the majority of their time dealing with sex education in schools, especially at the grades 9 through to 13 levels. Therefore, we cannot say that students are not being educated with respect to the consequences of sexual intercourse. At the same time, the concept of peer pressure is being exhausted, trying to give students a sense of individuality and the need for decisions being made independent of their peers.
We find too that in too many schools the number one concern for girls is still teenage pregnancy. As for the boys, they tell us blatantly that "man affi have nuff woman". This is a practice that they have inherited from their fathers and the older men in their communities. It is called the "spare tyre concept", if one girl leaves there is always a spare.
In spite of the many lessons being taught, boys are still approaching counsellors with the news that they think their girlfriend may be pregnant, and we are talking about boys from as early as first form. When asked why they did not use a condom, many responded that they did not have access to it.
Another concern with respect to sexual intercourse and teenagers as to do with the contracting of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), with AIDS being number one. There are a few facts we should be cognisant of, coming out of the Ministry of Health's Promotion and Protection Division. According to their Jamaica AIDS Report for the third quarter of 2000:
The rate of HIV infection in Jamaica showed a marginal increase in 2000 compared to 1999.
The rate of HIV infection in women is increasing steadily more than men.
January - September 2000, there were 57 new AIDS cases reported of children under the age of 10 years.
It is reported that every week in Jamaica, two HIV infected children are born.
For every 1,000 pregnant women in Jamaica, 16 are infected with HIV.
Adolescent females in the age group 10-14 years and 15-19 years, had twice and three times higher risk of HIV infections respectively than boys of the same age group. This was as a result of social factors where by young girls are having sexual relations with HIV infected older males.
Between January and September 2000, every week 15 persons died of AIDS in Jamaica.
This is much cause for concern, especially because the younger generation is dying as a result of this disease. Further cause for concern is that our schoolgirls are engaging in unprotected sex with older men who are infecting them with the disease. Inevitably, they go and have sex with the schoolboys, and what do we have, the country is in jeopardy of loosing the generation.
It is my belief that at this point in time we should be looking at how condoms should be distributed, and not if. Many of you out there who are willing to swear for your teenage son or daughter that they are not having sex, should think again. Were you in your day honest with your parents about your sexual activities? Were your peers honest with their parents? Well, the more things change the more they remain the same. The fact is that many of them are having sexual relations, you are just not yet aware of it.
Abortions
You would be surprised as to how many abortions have taken place under your collective nose with you not being aware, even though it is illegal. Why wait for your son or daughter to become a statistic before you act. The truth is that many of them out there are already infected with some disease or the other and are not yet aware of same. Still there are others who are aware, and busy keeping you from knowing their secret.
Let us face the facts, whether we issue condoms or not, they are having sex, not just among themselves, but with older men and women. The question is, what can we do to help? Yes, we can continue to launch sex education and AIDS awareness campaigns in a bid to further educate our children. However, what will we say to them that we are not already saying to them?
The Church is seeking to educate; however, the problem is also within her walls, though not as widespread as in the schools. Civic organisations are seeking to educate, so too are community organisations; however, the problem persists. Is it possible that a part of the solution should include the distribution of condoms in schools?
Rev. Stephen-Claude Hyatt is a guidance counsellor. You can email him at theos@cybervale.com
