Condoms at School

It was very encouraging to read Joseph Church’s proposal on “Condoms at School” (Platform, Commentary, Nov. 24). I agree with the notion that the “availability of condoms (does not encourage) students to have sex.” The availability of condoms at school will not only promote students’ awareness about AIDS, but will also prevent unwanted teen-age pregnancies, another large problem among teen-agers.

Whether condoms are given at school or not, students are going to have sex. Sixty percent of all kids in the nation have had sex by the time they have graduated high school. Therefore, why not educate them? Why not tell them about the danger they are in? Why not tell them that having sex without a condom may ultimately kill them? To do otherwise is to ignore a teen-ager’s reality.

Dr. Church’s view of why students are having sex was very narrow. I know this because I am a teen-ager. Peer pressure is one of the reasons, but many students are curious about sex and want to lose their virginity to see what it’s like or to “get it over with.” Another reason students are having sex is because of what they see on television and in the movies and what they hear in music.

The views that condoms should not be distributed at school and that they promote sexual activity should be thought about. If condoms are not used, what will become of our future? Will children be dying of sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS? Will they be parents at age 15?

CATHERINE TAMKIN

Los Angeles