Is Banning The Sales Of Condoms And Contraceptives To Minors The Real Solution?

The Drugs Control Department of Karnataka has issued orders to all pharmacists banning them from selling condoms, oral contraceptives, or any antidepressant to those below the age of 18 years. This action was taken in response to the Bangalore bag check incident. A few months back, during a routine school exercise by the school association, the representatives discovered condoms, oral contraceptives, cigarettes, and whiteners in the bags of class 8, 9 and 10 students. School authorities and parents were shocked and horrified. But then, isn’t this an opportunity to start a conversation about the necessity of sexual education?

Thinking about it, weren’t many of us sneaky and rebellious teenagers ourselves? Back in school, our generation was sneaking into mobile phones and pornography. Given the easy access to the internet and gadgets that today’s children have, they are exposed to adult content. So, naturally, they would be more curious and adventurous than us.

According to a recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), more than 39% of women admitted that they had sexual intercourse before the age of 18 years. And 10% of women in this age group say they did it before the age of 15. So, with that being the case, it is really challenging to control adolescents. The more we impose restrictions, the sneakier and more rebellious they will become. So, we must find ways to combat this issue rather than control adolescents.

Teenage pregnancies are on the rise. According to an article in The Hindu, Bihar reports the highest percentage of teenage pregnancies at 19%. Additionally, over 44% of districts in India have reported a high percentage of women marrying before the age of 18 years. The main reason for this is the low use of contraceptives.

Condom And Contraceptive Sales To Minors Banned In Karnataka

Banning the sale of contraceptives and condoms to minors won't stop child marriages from happening in certain regions of the country. Moreover, it is unlikely to control devious and rebellious adolescents. It's natural for them to be curious about sex at this age. Furthermore, with the increased use of OTT platforms in many households, they are easily exposed to adult content in the media. OTT platforms stream several shows exclusively featuring teenagers and show them engaging in sexual activities. This will naturally trigger their curiosity, and they tend to become more adventurous. And if there are no condoms and contraceptives, there is no guarantee that they won't engage in sexual activities.

It is to be noted that adolescent girls will be the most affected because it could lead to unwanted teenage pregnancies. Our society is highly judgmental, and access to abortion for minors is very complicated. There is also concern that teenagers who engage in sexual acts could contract sexually transmitted diseases without protection.

Possession of these items, or adolescents' curiosity about sex, isn't the real issue. However, with the legal age of consent being 18 years, minors engaging in sexual activities cannot be encouraged. With that being said, we cannot possibly monitor them all the time. So, the most effective way to combat this situation is by providing sex education both at home and at school.

But, in a country where "sex" is still considered a taboo subject, do schools provide proper sex education for children? How many children can really have an open and honest conversation about sex and relationships with their parents without being judged, shamed, or punished?

These are the areas that need to be worked on. Children often fall victim to misinformation in the media and seek guidance from sources that may lead to trouble. This is because there is a lack of safe and legitimate platforms to acquire sex education.

Parents need to be open-minded, approachable, and friendly. They need to develop open communication, understanding, and a trustworthy relationship so that children feel comfortable approaching their parents about anything. The assurance that they will not be blamed, shamed, or judged will encourage children to be transparent with their parents. On the other hand, schools must prioritise sex education. Arranging regular sessions and workshops with sex educators and providing counselling sessions with psychologists will help steer children in the right direction.

We live in an era of technology, and it’s impossible and unfair to restrict children from accessing it. Banning condoms and contraceptives might not be fruitful because adolescents know how to be sneaky. As adults, we are responsible for guiding adolescents down the right path. We need to provide them with the necessary resources to learn, explore, and address their curiosity in the right way.

Views expressed are the author's own.

Suggested Reading: Karnataka Bans Selling Condoms And Contraceptives To Minors