This year nearly one million teens will get pregnant (Better Safe Than Sorry, 72) and over 15 million new cases of STD’s will be reported in this country (Better Safe Than Sorry, 72). Each year teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) cost our nation over $15 billion (Better Safe Than Sorry, 72). These statistics are overwhelming and speak for themselves; the current policy on controlling teen pregnancy and transmission of STD’s is outdated. As we enter a new millennium, this country will be forced to realize it is time to change current policies and ways of thinking and take action to protect teenagers. In this paper I will argue that providing high school students with condoms, along with better education and counseling, will help reduce teen pregnancy rates and control transmission of STD’s.
Pre-marital and teenage sex has forever been deemed morally wrong by our society. While most parents and religious institutions would hope that their youth is not involved in such activity, the truth is that teenagers are having sex and it can no longer be ignored as though it were not happening. For years, talk of teenagers and sex has been hushed because talking about it would force our society to admit that it was happening. Teens often do not talk with their parents or other adults about sex for this very reason; they are made to feel embarrassed or as though they have done something wrong. This shame and embarrassment often makes getting teens sexual protection a difficult task. As a society we need to change our attitude and policy and make protection easier for teenagers to obtain. Counseling should be made available so that teens feel more open to talk about their personal sex issues. Every sexually active person is at risk as teenagers and youths who are denied protection and counseling continue to spread sexually transmitted diseases through our society. Every tax paying American should be concerned as more and more government...