What is your opinion on teenagers and condoms?

Question

What is your opinion on having condoms in your house, your teenager knows where they are (because you told him/her) and make it known they can take them if they need them? Of note, you preach abstinence but you don't want them to be unsafe if they decide to go against what you preach. Do you think that is hypocritical? P.S. I don't do this, but I know people that do and I am on the fence about whether this is right.

Answer 1

Would you like your son or daughter coming home pregnant ?
That's my question. C'mon, we're adults here, you know what it's like being a teen and in love, etc.
We all hope our kids will wait til marriage or at least til 18 or 20, but realistically, we're dreaming.
I think talking about and accepting birth control in the home is a wonderful thing. But just as important are the possibilites and risks and diseases that comes with sexual intercourse.
Knowledge is power. The more you teach your kids on the subject, the better they'll know and understand where you are coming from. Don't leave it to their friends to tell the all about sex and stuff, 'cause chances are it's the wrong information.

Nothing wrong with teaching kids about safe sex. Put condoms in the bathroom somewhere, hidden in a cupboard, and tell your kids about them AND how to use them, keep a count also :) You can check back every once in a while and see what's happening.
If you have a son, I'd buy him a pack of his own and let him practice how to use them correctly. This is my opinion, but my son is only two :) Maybe it'll change when he's 14 or 15 and has girls calling the house *GULP*

Good luck!

Answer 2

My opinion on teenagers and condoms...

Well, if they choose to be sexually active, I certainly hope they use them. I do NOT think schools should involve themselves in it, either promoting abstinenece or passing out condoms. I think sex ed is enough for the schools, and after that, they are out of line PROMOTING any kind of method or belief.

As for in my own home, my daughter is still very little, so I'm sure my ideas on sex will change 1000 times before she is even remotely ready for her fist date. I do not condone puttingo ut a basket of condoms in my foyer with a "Take One" sign. But I hope every day that, when my daughter decides she is at a point in her life where sex may become an option, that she will feel that she can ask me about getting on the pill or buying condoms (or both). I know this may sound unrealistic to many, but I think that, in a nurturing home where sex is not made to be a dirty thing, but is also not taken lightly, there can be solid communication, even if it is still awkward. I believe in a scientific approach to sex education, with a very open dialogue in the home.

I think whether or not to have sex is a person's decision, and what you can do as a parent is educate communicate. In a religious home, a child will learn in church that that religion is opposed to premarital sex. I think it is wrong to make a child feel that they will be dirty or be a disappointment if they do make the decision to have sex. Home should be a safe place, even a very religious home, and if the child does choose something other than what the religion teaches, I think home should still be a place where they can talk to their parents and be honest.

When it comes down to it, you cannot force chastity or good decision making on anyone. All you can do is your very best, and after that, hope. And always, ALWAYS love and support.

Answer 3

Well, I don't have any kids yet, but I am waiting until marriage, and I am going to teach my kids that as well. However, I do understand that not all kids do wait, so it is good that they will have the resources to be safe if they do go against their morals.
And, there are a lot of kids who do not come from good Christian homes who will be having sex with people before they are married and it would be good if they do know that their are condoms available so that they can be safe.

It isn't hypocritical, because if they do do it without protection, even though they were taught not to do it until marriage, there is a chance that they will get pregnant, and that is way worse.

Answer 4

While my children and I have wonderful, trusting relationships and can speak openly on just about any topic, I'm not foolish enough to believe that I know EVERYTHING that they do. For this reason, I do keep condoms available for them.

Now, while I do not condone promiscuity or sex without love, I have to realize that the best I can do is hope that I've taught them well enough to make the best decisions for themselves and their futures while also helping them when deciding who/when/where they will be spending their time. I don't believe in putting my children in the path of temptation where there are other options. Why send them to a party when there will be no adult supervision, when "Jane Doe" is having a supervised party just down the same street?

That being understood, I would rather keep condoms available should they feel that they are mature enough and responsible enough to enter the sexually active world...rather than pick out a headstone for them because they were too afraid/embarrassed to obtain condoms on their own.

Answer 5

It's not hypocritical--it's realistic. As much as I would love to think my children would practice what I preach I know the statistics are against the fight. I would much rather see my daughter on birth control or give my sons condoms [hoping they won't need to use it] then for them to come to me while they are still living in my home and tell me they're pregnant.

My approach on sex with my own children will be fact based. Abstinence is the only way to protect against pregnancy and STDs. Even a girl who is on birth control has 8/100 chance of getting pregnant and will not be protected against STDs. It kind of speaks for itself but there's a time in a teens life where they need to make decisions in their life--independently. IF they do choose to have sex I want them to be protected. I don't know if that makes sense but controlling a teen will never ever work but being open has a better chance.

Answer 6

If you know your teen is having sex or going to have sex then I think its somewhat of a good idea. Its better to be safe then sorry. If the child was a girl I would start talking to them about birthcontrol, but this all depends on the age. If the kids are 13/14 or maybe even 15 I would not do the birthcontrol or condom thing, but maybe 15 (depending on how mature they are) or 16 and up then yes it might be a good idea.

Answer 7

If the condom fits- then the teenagers should wear them. You have better odds gambling in Vegas- than you do teaching abstinence to a teenager. Your odds improve with the availabilty of condoms- but ONLY if you've taught them the responsibilties that come with having sex.

Answer 8

I tussled with this for a long time,I have three daughters and an unwanted pregnancy can ruin their lives,so in the end I told them that when the time was write for them to let me know first and I would take them to a lady doctor to get them on the right pill for them,all three had firm relationships with their boy friends and ultimately married them.

Answer 9

I think it's a good idea. Especially if you preach abstinence, safe sex practices, ect. It's always best to discuss the sex subject with your children. My mom didn't and unfortunately I became very shall we say promiscuous.

Answer 10

i think that is a good idea, because after all teens are going to be teens, the best thing a person could do as a parent is make sure they protect their children and if that means that they have to have condoms in the house then so be it.