Papal Stance on Condom Use – Does it teach moral responsibility?

Amid booming population, the Catholic Church was clear that it will not favor contraception. In many predominantly Catholic countries, the issue in condom use has created controversy. In the Philippines, for instance, Catholic priests condemned the move of handling condoms to the public by health officials only a few months back before Pope Benedict the XVI disclosed his stance regarding condom use. Because in this case, I hear what those people in medical uniforms say better. What caught my attention was not the issue on contraception, though, but the level of immorality and morality that the Catholic Church can denounce and tolerate.

“The Pope clarified his stance in an interview with a German journalist, saying that in certain cases, such as for male prostitutes, contraceptives could be a first step in taking moral responsibility for stemming the spread of the virus that causes AIDS,” edmonton.ctv.ca reported. Do prostitutes really take moral responsibility for stemming HIV spread if they use condom? That is merely stemming spread of HIV, but hardly being morally responsible.

On the other hand, the local catholic churches that are ever loyal to opposing contraception, were swift at saying the new stance is not a fundamental shift. But that their allegiance is to abstinence and fidelity is still paramount to their faith. It is highly important for people to practice effective ways of preventing sexually transmitted diseases, and recommending the use of condom is a good move made by the Catholic Church. However, mentioning male prostitutes as examples creates an entirely different idea as to whether the Catholic Church denounces or tolerates prostitution. Or, that, the Catholic Church is really talking about contraception as means of being morally responsible.

I personally don’t know where he based his stance. Was it Bible-based, just another personal view, or simply some words to tickle the ears?

My view of moral responsibility is univocal to doing what is right according to the Bible principles, in whatever aspect of life.

American Teens Smarter than Adults in Condom Use

According to a study on the sexual behavior of Americans, by the Center for Sexual Promotion at Indiana University, teens are smarter than adults in the use of condom. Of the 5,865 respondents, 800 were 17 to 14-year olds. 80 percent of boys and 69 percent of girls of that number said they used condom the last time they had sexual intercourse, compared to less than half of the adult respondents.

With the monumental social changes in the country, such as unwanted pregnancies, AIDS epidemic, cohabitation, and gay rights, it is only normal for people to make changes in their sexual attitudes and resort to some known preventive measures against any unwanted effects resulting from these changes. Along with these changes, the country is also bombarded with pornographic materials, igniting just anyone’s erotic nature. As a result, more people involve themselves in sexual acts more often, including teens. Consequently, problems related to unprotected sex rise uncontrollably. Despite knowledge of these, adults seem to be a lot less wise on this matter than teenagers.

Just what can be done by the use of condom? Hearsays tell condom obstructs with achieving sexual satisfaction. In the same study conducted, 85 percent of men and two-thirds of women experienced orgasm. Could it be because adults think they can easily handle the results, while teenagers want to avoid any responsibilities as much as possible? Whatever the reason is the use of condom or practicing protected sex can still improve people’s odds. Condom primarily protects from sexually transmitted diseases, and had 98% efficient in preventing pregnancies.

For a teenager, losing virginity is an important turning point of life, wherein the use of condom can have a significant value. However, sex abstinence until marriage still has the best benefits. For couples or partners who are determined to be responsible on their sex life but are unsure about the benefits of using condom, a talk with an OB gyne will clear any doubts. Couples can choose to see a professional in womens scrubs if both feel they would be more comfortable in talking the matter with a female. But whatever gender wears those scrub tops and scrub pants, the important thing is that they can become more responsible in their sex lives.