Spring Break
Cold prevention more important than condoms
George Maynard
Issue date: 2/16/09 Section: Commentary
An estimated 19 million people in the United States become infected with some sort of sexually transmitted disease (STD) each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Over this same period of time, the CDC estimates that 100 million Americans contract the common cold. That's right, statistics show that over five times as many people get the common cold each year when compared to the combined number of people who contract STDs. Student Health Services, however, seems to operate under the assumption that STD prevention measures are more necessary for overall campus health than cold prevention measures. Due to recent budget cuts, Health Services no longer offers free tissues or anti-bacterial lotion to students. But if you need some peach flavored lubricant or glow-in-the-dark condoms, you could probably still pick up a few of each - for free - from Health Education in South Campus.
Granted, contracting an STD is usually much more serious than getting a cold. However, it is also considerably easier to avoid getting an STD than getting a cold. For example, by keeping your pants zipped and not touching someone's blood, you have almost no chance of getting an STD. Catching a cold can happen just from going to class or the dining hall, if someone near you happens to have a cold.
In addition, it is completely unjustifiable for Health Services to be handing out condoms and lubricants to students free of charge.
First of all, giving away condoms promotes irresponsible sexual behavior. If students are under the impression that a condom is like a "get out of jail free" card for STDs and pregnancy, then they will continue to believe that sex comes without consequences, and help perpetuate the culture of multiple sexual partners and one-night stands that exists on college campuses.
In addition, the distribution of free condoms by Health Services using student fees disenfranchises students who have made a choice to be abstinent or buy their own condoms. Basically, students who choose not to use the free condoms are forced to pay for other students to have sex, blow up condoms like balloons or litter them around campus.
Granted, contracting an STD is usually much more serious than getting a cold. However, it is also considerably easier to avoid getting an STD than getting a cold. For example, by keeping your pants zipped and not touching someone's blood, you have almost no chance of getting an STD. Catching a cold can happen just from going to class or the dining hall, if someone near you happens to have a cold.
In addition, it is completely unjustifiable for Health Services to be handing out condoms and lubricants to students free of charge.
First of all, giving away condoms promotes irresponsible sexual behavior. If students are under the impression that a condom is like a "get out of jail free" card for STDs and pregnancy, then they will continue to believe that sex comes without consequences, and help perpetuate the culture of multiple sexual partners and one-night stands that exists on college campuses.
In addition, the distribution of free condoms by Health Services using student fees disenfranchises students who have made a choice to be abstinent or buy their own condoms. Basically, students who choose not to use the free condoms are forced to pay for other students to have sex, blow up condoms like balloons or litter them around campus.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
health conscious
posted 2/16/09 @ 9:55 PM EST
'Granted, contracting an STD is usually much more serious than getting a cold.'
An understatement, if I've ever seen one.
Hand sanitizer = among the greatest capitalist/marketing schemes ever; up there with bottled water. (Continued…)
stdgirl
posted 2/16/09 @ 9:57 PM EST
Rising STD rate sparks online dating sites.
A friend of mine who works for the STD dating STDslove.com told me that the new subscribers have increased 25% over 2007. (Continued…)
Gojiman
posted 2/16/09 @ 11:49 PM EST
You know, you're right.
We shouldn't have to pay for services we're not using.
I don't run. We should not have treadmills in the student rec facility. (Continued…)
Kate
posted 2/16/09 @ 11:58 PM EST
I apologize in advance for criticizing this article as quite possibly one of the most ridiculous I have ever read in the Daily Campus. To debunk the most flagrant problems with this article:
1. (Continued…)
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