It is tragic enough that the rate of cases of the human immunodeficiency virus that causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is rising, and continues to rise.
But to hear of news that two national agencies, namely the Department of Health and the Department of Education, have collaborated to distribute condoms in schools is grossly catastrophic.
Adding insult to injury, you hear of a local advocacy group spearheading the information drive on the proper use of condoms.
It is like solving a problem with another problem. It is like covering a lethal wound with Band-Aid.
Hopefully, I will not be misinterpreted and labeled a glacial lassie from the Victorian era. I am aware that young people today engage in pre-marital sex.
Notwithstanding that awareness, I will never raise my voice, and condemn these teenagers on what they are doing with their young lives, nor attempt to judge them on the way they conduct their sex lives. I know that this is the reality we have at the moment.
However, I think there is something wrong with the way we as adults are confronting this reality.
A study conducted by the DOH showed a strong indication of an escalating number of young Filipinos turning out to be HIV-positive.
I believe that a big contributor to the rise of sexually-transmitted diseases such as HIV is a person’s engaging in unprotected premarital sex. Okay, there’s no denying that.
But does that mean we now have to indiscriminately distribute condoms to everyone, and to school-age people at that?
I believe that distributing condoms in school premises, or young people owning them, or knowing how to correctly use these condoms are not the long-term solutions in solving the rising HIV incidence rate.
I also don’t believe these measures can prevent and curb teenage pregnancy, curtail untimely marriages, or stop abortion.
There are simple ways of arresting this problem without being “panicky” to the point of roaming around campuses to give out these latex-made contraptions.
One is to simply go to a clinic, and inquire on your HIV status. Everyone must be tested for HIV at least once.
Second, for those who have established an active sex life, at least they should try their best to limit the number of their sex partners. The fewer partners one has, the less likely the person would encounter a bedmate who’s infected with HIV or another type of STD.
Also, I’ve read somewhere that male circumcision has shown to diminish the threat of HIV transmission during vaginal sex.
This means that mothers also need to be educated on the need for early circumcision of their babies; if possible, as soon as they are born.
My point is, serious advocacy campaign (not ningas cogon), and a consistent information effort can drive away HIV-AIDS.
To complement that, parents need to be their children’s confidantes so that adult supervision — I am not referring to “hover” parenting but genuine closeness and camaraderie — is maintained and sustained between parents and child/teenager.
To become experts in using the condom will not stop HIV-AIDS, and to indiscriminately offer/distribute condoms to young people will not avert the disease.
Comprehensive education and genuine parental love can.
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Author’s email: legis616821@gmail.com
