Differences Between Two Author - Essay Example

Your Teacher’s Condoms in Schools: The Battle Between Morality and Common Sense Condoms vs. Abstinence: The Role of Public Schools in Sex Education The issue surrounding the distribution of condoms in public schools has long been considered a topic of interest for more than a decade now. Articulate commentators from two opposing views often come up with sensible ideas and strong points that would further spice up their heated debates.In an essay written by Anna Quindlen, “Public & Private; A Pyrrhic Victory,” it is noted how the writer fervently defends the distribution of condoms in public schools.

She emphasizes her standpoint by quoting statistics such as “in 1992 [Dr. Cohall’s] three high school clinics saw around 150 cases of sexually transmitted diseases like condyloma, chlamydia, and the better-known gonorrhea and syphilis” (Quindlen). Although Quindlen supports the practice of free discussion between parents and young people concerning sex and the value of abstinence, many families have unfortunately took the matter for granted. She cites the case of a “girl who broke her leg jumping out an apartment window because her mother found her birth control pills, seized her by the throat and said, according to the kid, ‘I brought you into the world; I can take you out of it’” (Quindlen).

On the other hand, conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh took a firm stand against the distribution of condoms in public schools by stressing the values of celibacy. He asserts that parents have a responsibility to protect their children from unsafe sex. Thus, to prove his point, he came up with questions such as “doesnt it make sense to be honest with kids and tell them the best thing they can do to avoid AIDS or any of the other undesirable consequences is to abstain from sexual intercourse?

” (Limbaugh) Limbaugh argues that providing young people with condoms is somehow giving them a free pass that it is perfectly acceptable to have sex at their age – something that he believes is causing the skewed “moral and ethical directions” (Limbaugh) that American kids have been following. He further argues by questioning the liberals’ assumption that young people will simply have sex regardless of how they’re educated. Sarcastically, he points out that “kids are going to smoke, too, we cant stop them, so lets provide packs of low-tar cigarettes to the students for their after-sex smoke” (Limbaugh).

The fact is that the positions taken by both commentators are rooted in good intentions, but more importantly, in reality. Limbaugh is right to emphasize the role of parents in the sexual education of their children. Parents should be more responsible in ensuring that their children are safe, constantly making them aware of the dangers present in real life. I see nothing wrong in posing this challenge to parents, as Limbaugh clearly does. But then again, Quindlen’s comments are worth considering as well, as they are backed up by statistics and facts.

Whether or not parents should be engaging in the kind of healthy sexual talk with their children that Limbaugh mentions is not the issue. The unfortunate reality remains that there are still families who refrain from such discussions. Quindlen’s statistics on the numerous cases of sexually transmitted diseases prove this to be true. Therefore, when there are some parents who are unwilling or unable to educate their children about sex, it is in the interest of society that the duty falls to someone else.

The most qualified institution to do this is still the public school system. That is why ample sexual education in schools must be carried out properly. Thus, young people should be taught about the realities of sex – safe and unsafe. They should be taught that celibacy should always be the first choice, but in events where temptation takes over and complications arise, practicing safe sex becomes an option. The best course of action is that condoms should be made available in schools, but their students should also be informed of the consequences of sexual activities.

Proper sex education that puts celibacy first must also be a part of the curriculum. We do not live in a perfect world. The provision of condoms in public schools along with an effective sex education program that also promotes celibacy is the only real option.