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Pope Benedict XVI stated that abstinence is the only preventive way
to combat HIV/AIDS and other related problems. I agree with him.
There is indeed no better alternative; but in reality, not everybody
can abide by it. In fact, a larger percentage of people find
abstinence an impossibility. Outside of abstinence, condoms are the
best protection from sex-related maladies. Now that more people
engage in risky sexual behaviors at an early age, should we hearten
the use of condoms or not?
A campaign by Famaf, Human Life International
and AIDS FREE Philippines, with the cogent CBCP is calling for the
ban on condom advertisement, claiming that it instigates misbehavior
among the youth and encourages promiscuity. What’s really
happening is that these condom ads are just used as scapegoats for
the reckless behavior of some youth. Furthermore, the real reason
why youth “experiment with sex” is because of the culture that
glorifies and romanticizes sex. Media in general equate physical
desire with love and it epitomizes freedom, a break from tradition
and taboo. As the pro-life groups pressure the KBP and Adboard to
“enforce ethical norms” on radio and television, they overlook
the fact that there are still numerous forms of media that encourage
risky behavior. We only have to log on the Internet, hear music
lyrics, see TV serials and movies to know about this culture—and
condoms have nothing to do with it.
While I have nothing against their political
belief, I don’t agree with condom advertisements as the primary
cause of most sex-related mishaps; banning them is not the answer. I
am born and raised a Catholic but I am coming into a compromise that
will truly benefit the youth. Censuring the idea of using condoms
for protection is done without realistic, evenhanded reasons. My
stand is that banning condom ads is not the solution; instead,
regulation of the content and presentation of the advertisements is
the better way. They must call for advertisements to give the right
information, harping on the fact that with sex comes responsibility.
My involvement as vice-president of Advocates for Youth
Foundation/Club K for the last five years has taught me a lot about
adolescent reproductive health. Condoms are an effective method of
contraception for those who do not want to be pregnant and more
importantly, protection for all those who wish to engage in sex.
Banning condom ads stigmatizes those who cannot abstain. It is
society’s duty to not withhold this choice from those who wish to
be sexually responsible.
I agree with some groups that find it quite
unethical to ban condom ads as these are reminders people indulge in
sex—married or unmarried—can be responsible. One thing that must
be done is the education of the parents and children, starting at
the grassroots level, and not just hitting at small targets. If they
really wanted to change the mindset of Filipinos, they must situate
their initiatives where it matters most—in schools, workplaces
and communities, where individuals can deeply gain knowledge of
things and its consequences, thus learning to decide for themselves.
We must not call for perfunctory campaigns that do not really strive
for a deeper relevance to the Filipino’s culture and lifestyle.
They need to rethink their steps and start from the bottom to create
a strong foundation for their causes and achieve lasting results.
Lastly, proscribing condom advertisements
because they seem to encourage risky behavior is an insult to the
intelligent generation of today, who have the potential and knowhow
to act and think for themselves. I know my faith well and more
importantly how it applies today. Man’s curiosity will never
wane so let’s stop being hypocrites—children develop sexual
drives and their curiosity makes them like Adam and Eve who will
always bit into the forbidden fruit. Again, it all boils down
to equipping them with the right values and knowledge in order to do
what’s right. After all, aren’t we all endowed with free
will?
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