"A Harmful Effect on Youth"
Which of these things is likely to have the most harmful effect on youth? a) contracting HIV b)becoming pregnant c) enjoying sex with a condom?
Condoms are scientifically proven to be more than 99% effective in preventing the transmission of HIV and are similarly effective in family planning use. This medical fact is endorsed by the Indian government and many other governments around the world who promote condom usage as an effective component of preventing the transmission of HIV, along with responsible family planning practices...especially in a country growing as quickly as India.
The problem with this is that condoms have not been successfully integrated into Indian lifeways and cultural norms and are often a taboo subject and one to which a large number of people are ignorant as to the proper use. As earlier blogged about, when they are distributed for free by government sponsored organizations and many NGOs they are handed out like candy (literally in similar packaging sometimes) and their proper use is not explained.
Condoms can only perform their function to 99%+ efficiency when used properly and CONSISTENTLY. It would seem in the government's best interest to do anything possible to bring more of its people into the fold of condom users. Yet, this is evidently not the case in Madhya Pradesh.
Madhya Pradesh's cabinet minister and others recently have begun proceedings to get a government ordered ban on a new vibrating condom called Crezendo saying, "It is bound to have a harmful effect, especially on youngsters." Unless the vibrating effects cause harm to sensitive areas I can't see how any additional condom users with harm youth, especially given that the alternatives could be as serious as contracting any number of STIs, including HIV, or an unwanted pregnancy.
The argument of the government is based on the assertion that the vibrating nature of the condom makes it a sex toy. Sex toys are illegal in India. Apparently, sex isn't supposed to be an act that one should try to maximize the enjoyment of in any way. The government officials are particularly horrified by the assertion in the accompanying booklet that the vibrating component of the condom can be use for self-pleasure. They liken government endorsements of condoms such as this to government endorsement of blue movies.
It is clear with such complaints that India has come a long way since the temples of Khajuraho and the Kama Sutra. It has gone from a society open to sex to a pseudo-conservative society that pushes its supposedly "moral" values on the public while ignoring the fact that with its exploding population has topped 1.2 billion and a world leading 5.7 million of them live with HIV. Both of which are numbers that lead to a strain on already meager and underfunded resources to support such large populations.
I think it is time that government officials such as these in Madhya Pradesh put aside their own personal agendas as moral police long enough to open their eyes to two problems that are consuming India, the India they serve: over population and HIV. Anything that increases condom use is in the best interest of India. If it increases the enjoyment of sex in the process, I think we can all think of worse side effects.
Condoms are scientifically proven to be more than 99% effective in preventing the transmission of HIV and are similarly effective in family planning use. This medical fact is endorsed by the Indian government and many other governments around the world who promote condom usage as an effective component of preventing the transmission of HIV, along with responsible family planning practices...especially in a country growing as quickly as India.
The problem with this is that condoms have not been successfully integrated into Indian lifeways and cultural norms and are often a taboo subject and one to which a large number of people are ignorant as to the proper use. As earlier blogged about, when they are distributed for free by government sponsored organizations and many NGOs they are handed out like candy (literally in similar packaging sometimes) and their proper use is not explained.
Condoms can only perform their function to 99%+ efficiency when used properly and CONSISTENTLY. It would seem in the government's best interest to do anything possible to bring more of its people into the fold of condom users. Yet, this is evidently not the case in Madhya Pradesh.
Madhya Pradesh's cabinet minister and others recently have begun proceedings to get a government ordered ban on a new vibrating condom called Crezendo saying, "It is bound to have a harmful effect, especially on youngsters." Unless the vibrating effects cause harm to sensitive areas I can't see how any additional condom users with harm youth, especially given that the alternatives could be as serious as contracting any number of STIs, including HIV, or an unwanted pregnancy.
The argument of the government is based on the assertion that the vibrating nature of the condom makes it a sex toy. Sex toys are illegal in India. Apparently, sex isn't supposed to be an act that one should try to maximize the enjoyment of in any way. The government officials are particularly horrified by the assertion in the accompanying booklet that the vibrating component of the condom can be use for self-pleasure. They liken government endorsements of condoms such as this to government endorsement of blue movies.
It is clear with such complaints that India has come a long way since the temples of Khajuraho and the Kama Sutra. It has gone from a society open to sex to a pseudo-conservative society that pushes its supposedly "moral" values on the public while ignoring the fact that with its exploding population has topped 1.2 billion and a world leading 5.7 million of them live with HIV. Both of which are numbers that lead to a strain on already meager and underfunded resources to support such large populations.
I think it is time that government officials such as these in Madhya Pradesh put aside their own personal agendas as moral police long enough to open their eyes to two problems that are consuming India, the India they serve: over population and HIV. Anything that increases condom use is in the best interest of India. If it increases the enjoyment of sex in the process, I think we can all think of worse side effects.
posted by Deep Griha at 3:33 am
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