.jpg?1305035296)
TakeControlPhilly.org
What do you do when a survey reveals 25% of 6th graders are having sex? You give out free condoms, post graphic cartoons and throw in some sex education. At least that's what Philadelphia is doing.
Aimed at children between the ages of 11 and 19, the city's new program TAKE CONTROL offers information regarding sexual health and resources on how to get free condoms by mail; complete with graphic illustrations on how to use them. "Playing it safe just got easier," the Take Control campaign said on its website. "If you live in Philadelphia and are between the ages of 11 and 19 you can now have condoms mailed directly to you for FREE. Maybe it's difficult for you to stop by one of our sites to pick up condoms. Or maybe you're just shy or feeling weird about picking up condoms." It may be a reach, but if you're "feeling weird about picking up condoms," perhaps you're not ready to be engaging in sexual behavior. Just a thought.
City Health Commissioner Donald Schwarz said, “Clearly, we don’t think it’s OK for 11-year-olds to be having sex. But we don’t have the infrastructure in place to fix the problem fast. We can, however, make condoms available fairly quickly to whoever needs them.” Philadelphia hasn't seen this kind of "infrastructure" disaster since the Schuykill Expressway was constructed.
Not only does the program expiicity encourage young children to have sex, but it disregards the parental responsibility to teach them the consequences of engaging in it. If that's not bad enough, the campaign promotes criminal behavior; ignoring Pennsylvania's statutes on the age of consent and other sexual offenses. Parents rejoice- you can now sue the City of Philadelphia for aiding in the corruption of (your) minors.
Does Philadelphia have a problem with teen pregnancy and transmital of STD's? Yes. Should the City be held accountable for a sexually active 11 year old? No. That's the parents' job.
Education as part of the campaign for prevention is paramount. It's the unintended consequences of relying on the internet and government to do the job of a parent that's a travesty.
