Re: Tell youngsters about values not condoms

February 5, 2009

Dear FORUM,

Sexual urge and avaling partners is quite natural. Do we think preaching

abstenence will promote abstenence? In safe sex education we don't promote

condoms amoong youngsters so that they can start using it. Sex is purely

personal and no one preaching can change them. Our duty is to tell the

scientific factors of HIV and AIDS and prevention.

If our objective is HIV prevention we could definitely achieve that through

telling the scientific facts. If our objective is promoting values, we may or

may not achieve that and it is not merely measurable.

So trying to go 15 years back may result in reversing the HIV incidence. First

we should be clear whether our objective is HIV prevention or so called Indian

moral values, not the both. Our Indian ancient Indian moral values never preach

abstenence but it had all options including abstenence and all possible human

sexualities. This may increase the aversion and moral branding on PLHIV which

causes discrimination.

None can choose either abstenence or having sex for others but can do for self.

Do we think the parents do not insist abstenence? If you have studies and

resilts then it may be discussed. Now NACO has started training FBOs to inform

condoms as one of the prevention methods.

ALWAYS GIVE CHOICES OTHERWISE ONE WILL CHOOSE ON HIS/HER OWN FROM THE NATURAL

INTINCTS!

Mathivanan Ramachandran

E-MAIL: <mathismart@...>

Recommended Posts