Here’s an interesting story out of Colombia,
BOGOTA, Colombia - Catholic priests in a Colombian town are furious over a councilman’s proposal that people 14 and older must carry a condom at all times to reduce the problems of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
William Pena, a councilman in Tulua, said Wednesday he will present a formal proposal requiring all men and women - even those just on a visit to the town - to carry at least one condom. Those caught empty-pocketed could be fined $180 or ordered to take a course on safe sex, he said.
My first reaction to this story was a chuckle. But then I started thinking, I know that AIDS is a big problem in Colombia, but aren’t there better ways to deal with it than a government requirement? It’s one thing for this to be required in Colombia, but the sad thing is that I can see some nutcase here in the US suggesting the same sort of thing.
Once again, it’s a question of personal responsibility–people can’t be trusted to practice safe sex or abstenence, so we’ll make them do it. Even more ridiculous is the fact that 14 year olds would be required to carry a condom around–suddenly, making teenage sex seem ok.
I thought handing out condoms to 14 year-olds in school in the US was bad. I guess Colombia has outdone us this time…