California counties get federally-funded teen mail-order condom program

[OzmO]

I agree kids as young as 12 are having sex and will continue to do so regardless of training, policy, etc.  In a perfect world, they would all keep their pants up till they found their life mate, or if they chose to have sex would take every possible precaution to protect themselves from pregnancy and disease.  But that's not the world we live in.  

I don't think it's realistic to expect a 12 year old to be anything but emboldened to have sex if we provide taxpayer funded condoms.  It's a total mixed message.  Can you think of any other activity where tell we tell a kid that certain conduct is wrong, then give them the tools to engage in that very same activity?    

It's also unrealistic to think a 12 year old boy (or any teenager for that matter) will consistently use condoms.  They might the first time, or a few times, but encounter number 15, 20, 25?  No way.  

Wouldn't you agree the more times they use the better?

So its a question of mixed messages potentially encouraging sex versus increasing the prevention of STD's and unwanted pregnancies?

[Dos Equis]

Wouldn't you agree the more times they use the better?

So its a question of mixed messages potentially encouraging sex versus increasing the prevention of STD's and unwanted pregnancies?

Yes I agree the more times they use the better. 

Yes, mixed messages . . . and overall bad policy.  And it's not just encouraging sex.  It's encouraging sex that is illegal in every state if the kid is under the age of consent.