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The War on Condoms

Social conservatives continue to wage war on condoms, limiting their availability and compromising public confidence in their effectiveness. They have censored information about condoms on government web sites. They have severely restricted funds for condom information and access in developing countries. And they have spent $1.5 billion on failed abstinence-only programs which discuss condoms only in terms of failure rates.

But it’s not just politics – as a culture we sometimes stigmatize condoms. In 2007, television networks censored an ad for Trojan condoms because it was “inappropriate,” even though it had no sexual content. And some youth don’t carry condoms because they think it shows they intend to have sex or are promiscuous.

Condoms work

The CDC has found that condoms are highly effective in preventing the transmission of HIV and effective in preventing pregnancy and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are available in drugstores, family planning clinics, and even many clubs and bars. Condoms are easy to carry and easy to use. So why is this useful, life-saving little item so controversial?

Let’s Use Common Sense

Learning about or having condoms doesn’t mean young people are going to have sex – it just means we’ll be prepared if we do. Since when is being prepared a bad thing?

We have the right to all the information we need to protect ourselves – including information about condoms.

Take action!

Tell FOX and CBS to allow condom advertisements

Join the Great American Condom Campaign

Tell CVS to unlock their condoms

Blog it!

Do you carry condoms? Are condoms available at your school? Did you learn about condoms in your sex education class? What do you think about the way condoms are portrayed on TV and in the movies? Write a blog about condoms.

The Great American Condom Campaign

The Great American Condom Campaign is a national movement dedicated to making condoms easier to get, easier to use, easier to talk about, and easier to share.

Join the GACC today!

Interested in this issue? Keep reading!

Read about related issues on Amplify

Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs
Choosing Not to Have Sex
Contraceptive Access
HIV
Sex Education
Unintended Pregnancy

Health Facts: Condoms