Current:Home > MyTakeaways from AP’s report on declining condom use among younger generations -MomentumProfit Zone
Takeaways from AP’s report on declining condom use among younger generations
View
Date:2025-04-24 20:45:29
Condom usage is down for everyone in the U.S., but researchers say the trend is especially stark among teens and young adults.
A few factors are at play: Medical advancements like long-term birth control options and drugs that prevent sexually transmitted infections; a fading fear of contracting HIV; and widely varying degrees of sex education in high schools.
Though this might not spell the end of condoms, public health experts are thinking about how to help younger generations have safe sex, be aware of their options – including condoms – and get regular STI tests.
“Old condom ads were meant to scare you, and all of us were scared for the longest time,” said Dr. Joseph Cherabie, medical director of the St. Louis HIV Prevention Training Center. “Now we’re trying to move away from that and focus more on what works for you.”
The Associated Press examined the factors behind the trend and how public health experts are responding. Here are key takeaways.
Medical advances change attitudes
As the fear of contracting HIV has declined, condoms are no longer a priority for men who have sex with men.
Now, there are many options to prevent HIV and other STIs, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP), which can be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex and can help prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
The downward trend is evident among men who have sex with men on apps like Grindr, a popular gay dating app, which lists condom use under “kinks” instead of “health.”
Researcher Steven Goodreau believes the lack of use is trickling down to younger generations, and that the promotion of PrEP has overshadowed condoms as an STI prevention strategy. Two federal HIV strategies don’t mention condoms.
Andres Acosta Ardilla, who works at an Orlando-based clinic that cares for Latinos with HIV, said condom use among men who have sex with men is “pretty much a thing of the past.”
Similarly, options like intrauterine devices and birth control pills are gaining popularity among younger heterosexual women as methods of pregnancy prevention.
College-aged women say that young men discourage condom usage, and are often insulted by the implication that they might have an STI.
Controversy over sex ed
There are no federal standards for sex education, leaving it up to states to decide what is taught.
In some states, like Mississippi, condom demonstrations are banned. In others, like Oregon, students observe condom demonstrations as early as middle school.
Conservative groups and advocates believe that teaching abstinence until marriage should be the focus of sexual education, while other groups, like the Sexuality Information and Education Council for the United States (SIECUS), say comprehensive sex education prepares young people for healthy relationships.
“We would never send a soldier into war without training or the resources they need to keep themselves safe ... so why is it OK for us to send young people off to college without the information that they need to protect themselves?” said Michelle Slaybaugh, policy and advocacy director for SIECUS.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
veryGood! (6751)
Related
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson Steal the Show on 2024 Emmys Red Carpet
- Hosts Dan Levy and Eugene Levy Are Father-Son Goals on 2024 Emmys Carpet
- Taylor Swift's Mom Andrea Swift Wears Sweet Tribute to Travis Kelce at Chiefs Game
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Reese Witherspoon Reveals Epic Present Laura Dern Gave Her Son at 2024 Emmys
- South Dakota-Portland State football game called off due to illness within Vikings program
- 'Devastated': Remains of 3-year-old Wisconsin boy missing since February have been found
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Officer involved in Tyreek Hill traffic stop has history of complaints over use of force
Ranking
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Emmys 2024: See All the Celebrity Red Carpet Fashion
- Jon Bon Jovi helped save a woman from a bridge. Its namesake did the same 70 years ago.
- 2024 Emmys: Jane Lynch Predicts What Glee Would Look Like Today
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Buying a house? Four unconventional ways to become a homeowner.
- Officer involved in Tyreek Hill traffic stop has history of complaints over use of force
- Winning numbers for Mega Millions drawing on September 13; jackpot reset to $20 million
Recommendation
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
Jon Bon Jovi helped save a woman from a bridge. Its namesake did the same 70 years ago.
Authorities arrest a relative of the King of Jordan and 3 others for $1M insider-trading plot
‘The Life of Chuck’ wins the Toronto Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
When are the 2024 Emmy Awards? Date, start time, nominees, where to watch and stream
DJT shares pop after Donald Trump says 'I am not selling' Trump Media stake
2024 Emmys: Jennifer Aniston, Brie Larson, Selena Gomez and More Best Dressed Stars on the Red Carpet