Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The Reasons Some of Us Don’t Use Condoms


By Gamal Hennessy

In spite of the fact that condoms have been around since 1350 B.C. not everyone trusts them. In spite of the fact that condoms are the most successful method of preventing unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted disease not everyone thinks they are worth the trouble. In spite of the fact that condoms can be purchased in every Duane Reade, bodega and pharmacy from South Ferry to Yonkers, some people don’t have any. If they work and they are easy to get, what reason can someone have for not using them? Understanding the thought process might help you recognize these people when you go out so you have a chance to avoid them.

The
New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene randomly sampled 10,000 adults New Yorkers about their sexual history. According to their study, 1 in 4 New Yorkers do not use condoms as part of their sexual practice. Yvonne Fulbright, a columnist for Fox News has put together a list of reasons some of these people for their choice.

· “Condoms dull the sensation of sexual intercourse.”
· “Other people get STD’s, not me.”
· “I’m usually drunk or high when I have sex, so I don’t remember to use a condom.”
· “I’m on the pill, so I don’t need a condom.”
· “She was ready to go, we didn’t have one and I didn’t want to kill the mood going to the store.”
· “I wanted to, but my partner didn’t and I didn’t want to disappoint them.”
· “I was in love and people in love don’t use condoms.”
· “I wanted him to get me pregnant so he would stay.”
· “I feel guilty about carrying one around.”

Sex is an integral part of nightlife. It is often sublimated in almost every aspect of the experience. That means that STD’s are a potential problem for all of us.
During the AIDS outbreak, nightlife and the arts were the hardest hit communities. Consider this, if you go out this weekend and get 8 phone numbers (because you’re so damn sexy), 2 of those people don’t use condoms or have had sex with someone who doesn’t use condoms if the Department of Health is accurate. HIV cases are on the rise again in certain segments of the population. Herpes cases are also on the rise. If you go out at night and sex is part of the equation, then that risk is also part of the equation. Most of that risk goes away when the condom comes out.

Some people might decide that sex without a condom is more desirable than life itself. Despite what we might think, people have a right to make that choice, even if their reasons for that choice lack reason, judgment and common sense. What they can’t do is make that choice for you. If you think sex with a condom (which is pretty hot by the way) is a small price to pay for living, don’t let someone else take your choice away. Guys and girls can walk around with condoms. You can speak up for yourself when clothes are flying off. And although it might be annoying, painful and mess up an entire night you can walk away from someone who doesn’t want to use one. You might be walking away from more painful consequences.

Have fun.
Gamal

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