Sex education has been a highly controversial topic among schools over the past decade. On Sunday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would’ve provided high school students with free condoms.
When I first read the headlines for this news, I was ready to argue against Newsom and call him out on not caring about sexual health. However, his reasoning for the veto being lack of expenses seems respectable, especially considering other bills he passed that will be expensive, such as the bill he signed that requires school buses to be zero-emission starting in 2035.
More problems arise when condoms are not sold to young people — and we must not forget that abortion, while legal in California, is not always accepted by everyone.
Newsom claimed it had to do with how much this would cost, writing, “While evidence-based strategies, like increasing access to condoms, are important to supporting improved adolescent sexual health, this bill would create an unfunded mandate to public schools that should be considered in the annual budget process.”
However, certain aspects of the bill should be considered and re-worked to pass something that benefits sexual education.
This bill would have made it illegal for sellers to deny young people the right to buy condoms, something the state needs to review and make possible. Refusing teens attempting to purchase these is ridiculous, as it is one of the most realistic ways to have safe sex. But, to those in charge, being safe does not matter as much as them not having sex at all.
Sex, while it can have its cons, is not something that people should be ashamed to have or scared to talk about. It is a normal affair and turning down those aiming to do it safely is the wrong decision. More problems arise when condoms are not sold to young people — and we must not forget that abortion, while legal in California, is not always accepted by everyone.
Here at Ramapo, a variety of free condoms are offered at the Women’s Center. They call it their “Safer Sex Kiosk,” where “students can come in and get up to five products every day,” said Student Queer Peer Services Coordinator Talia Criso.
Criso noted that the center offers these “to make safer sex supplies accessible to students.” Varieties include latex and non-latex, thin, large, colored and flavored condoms. They even provide dental dams, a sheet used to prevent sexually transmitted infections during oral sex.
If California was to instill a similar kiosk within their schools, I believe it would be much less expensive and helpful. With sellers no longer allowed to deny the purchase of condoms, students might not even go for the free ones but choose to buy them on their own.
Providing condoms free of charge for high school students is a brilliant idea to help teens practice safe sex without worrying about being denied the items. After further research, it may not be Newsom’s fault, but there must be a way for pieces of this bill to be passed.
ajones11@ramapo.edu
Featured photo by Amanda Jones
