A Shift in Attitudes
OXFORD, Miss. — It’s hard to miss the overflowing bowl of condoms at the entrance of the gym. Some University of Mississippi students walking past after their workout snicker and point, and the few who step forward to consider grabbing a condom rethink it when their friends catch up, laughter trailing behind them. Almost no one actually reaches in to take one.
Though officials say they refill the bowl multiple times a day, and condoms are available at multiple places on campus, Ole Miss students say the disinterest is indicative of changing attitudes.
Fewer young people are having sex, but the teens and young adults who are sexually active aren’t using condoms as regularly, if at all. And people ages 15 to 24 made up half of new chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis cases in 2022.
The downward trend in condom usage is due to a few things: medical advancements like long-term birth control options and drugs that prevent sexually transmitted infections; a fading fear of contracting HIV; and widely varying degrees of sex education in high schools.
Medical Advances Allow for More Options
Pleasure — for both men and women — has long been an undeniable factor for the lack of condom use, according to Dr. Cynthia Graham, a member of the Kinsey Institute team that studies condoms. But more so, advances in medicine have expanded the options for both STI and pregnancy prevention.
Young cisgender women have been turning to contraceptive implants like intrauterine devices and birth control pills to keep from getting pregnant. And researchers say that once women are in committed relationships or have one sexual partner for a significant amount of time, they often switch to longer-term birth control methods.
The Fight Over Sex Ed
Despite the relentless Southern sun, a handful of people representing various student organizations sat at tables in the heart of Ole Miss’ campus. Students walked past and grabbed buttons, wristbands, and fidget toys. One table offered gold-packaged condoms – for cups to prevent drinks from being spiked.
Actual condoms are noticeably absent. They’re also absent in the state’s public schools.
Condom Demonstrations are banned in Mississippi classrooms, and school districts can provide abstinence-only or “abstinence-plus” sexual education — both of which can involve discussing condoms and contraceptives.
Conclusion
The decline in condom usage is a complex issue with multiple factors contributing to it. While medical advancements have provided more options for STI and pregnancy prevention, the lack of comprehensive sex education in schools and the absence of condom demonstrations are also significant factors.
Public health experts are now considering how to help younger generations have safe sex, be aware of their options — condoms included — and get tested for STIs regularly.
FAQs
Q: Why are condoms less popular among young people?
A: Condoms are less popular among young people due to a combination of factors, including medical advancements, a fading fear of contracting HIV, and varying degrees of sex education in high schools.
Q: What are some medical advancements that have contributed to the decline in condom usage?
A: Long-term birth control options and drugs that prevent sexually transmitted infections, such as PrEP, have contributed to the decline in condom usage.
Q: Why are condom demonstrations banned in Mississippi classrooms?
A: Condom demonstrations are banned in Mississippi classrooms due to the state’s abstinence-only sex education policy.
Q: What is the current state of sex education in Mississippi schools?
A: Mississippi schools provide abstinence-only or “abstinence-plus” sexual education, which does not include condom demonstrations or comprehensive information on sexual health.
Q: How do other states approach sex education?
A: Other states, such as Oregon, have more comprehensive sex education policies that include information on condoms and sexual health.
