Spongebob Square Rubber

From a Foxnews.com Story

NEW YORK — A campaign to market a new line of condoms to teens has some people wondering if it's conveying a message that condom use — and, in essence, sex — is cool for kids.

Jimmie Hatz condoms (search) — "jimmie hat" is a hip-hop slang word for condom — are slated to hit some store shelves Feb. 1 and are aimed at urban teens across the country. The company that produces the condoms says it's promoting safe sex, but critics decry the idea of marketing contraceptives directly to teens in a way that seems "hip." 

Basically, what we've tried to do here is make it the cool thing to do, the 'in' thing to do, to protect yourself," said Harry Terrell, CEO of Common Ground USA (search), which produces the condoms.

The marketing campaign targets what Common Ground calls the "hip-hop kulture," particularly in minority communities that are hardest hit with HIV and AIDS. That culture is defined as any group of people — regardless of race — that enjoys emceeing, deejaying, breakdancing "or just loves music," Terrell said.

When you look at the numbers and the rate of infection continues to rise within the minority population, they're having sex," Terrell said. "We say abstinence is the only way that you're going to be OK. But the fact of the matter is, we can't hide and think that they're going to stop having sex."

To appeal to youth, the condoms are named "Great Dane" and "Rottweiler" and come in shiny wrappers adorned with a cartoon dog wearing a thick gold chain. 

This is a tough topic to talk about. I don't think young teens should be having sex, but the United States has one of the higher rates of teen pregnancy in the western world.

Kids have gone wild, and there are stories about wild kids everywhere

With diseases like AIDS out there, you want people to be protected. Condom's are very effective against HIV transmission, despite what the Pope says.

As a conservative, it would be too easy for me to blame the parents, or just say teens shouldn't be having sex, and condemn this marketing of condoms to children.

But the realist in me who works in the prevention field knows better. I know that teens will always have sex. Talking about sex or giving them options regarding safe sex will not increase the number of kids who have sex. Just like having drug and alcohol prevention and education programs will not make kids want to go out and smoke Marijuana.

I think we need common sense education about sex. Kids need to know what sex is all about, what the risks are and how to protect yourself. We also need to stress that the only truly safe option is abstinence.

In this debate you can't let your moral beliefs get in the way. Common sense discussoins on sex and realistic attitudes regarding sex are the only way to address the issue.

Teen pregnancy and HIV infections are the alternative of ignoring the subject entirely.

Posted by psugrad98 at January 8, 2004 08:35 AM