Without a doubt, drunk driving among teenagers leads to great tragedy. All too often in Rhode Island we witnessed the heartbreaking results of death and injury when teens drink and drive.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving allied with law enforcement, parents and educators have strived to eliminate this problem through educational initiatives that stress the truth that teens should not drink alcohol. Never has it been suggested that if teens do drink they should wear seat belts and crash helmets. To make such a suggestion is both illogical and irresponsible.
Yet when it comes to handing out condoms to teenagers, First Lady Stephanie Chafee recently suggested such an irresponsible and illogical policy is needed for the teen population of Rhode Island in order to practice “safe” sex. At a statewide forum on sexually transmitted diseases, Mrs. Chafee suggested that it was high time that “we should be making sure they (teenagers) are being smart about what they are doing.” This suggestion undoubtedly found a welcome reception from Planned Parenthood who helped to sponsor the forum.
Beyond the immorality of a policy that would freely and liberally distribute condoms to children as young as twelve, such a policy violates parents’ rights and responsibility to educate their children with a moral vision of sexuality. Free love and free condoms might be a pleasant idea for some but it is not good public policy as it would clearly lead to moral confusion for children and result in increased sexual activity and promiscuity among teenagers.
Sexually transmitted diseases are a tragic problem for our culture- including even some young people- but it cannot be solved through the distribution of condoms to children. Only abstinence and faithfulness can stop the spread of sexually transmitted disease, a reality that many in the scientific community agree upon. A policy of handing out condoms to children as young as 12 will not stop sexually transmitted disease but only serve to increase the risk, and eventuality that such diseases could escalate among the teenaged population of Rhode Island.
Young people deserve moral courage and guidance from their parents. Such a moral vision and legitimate right must never be usurped by the government and can never be co-opted by educators or public figures. The young people of Rhode Island do not need a permission slip to be promiscuous nor should they be encouraged to do as they please in the form of a free condom. The hope and future of our state and nation deserve better from educators and those who craft public policy than irresponsible efforts to promote sexual license. Our young people deserve wisdom and courage from our leaders, not failed policies and misguided morality.
