Why do teenagers not grip the tires? In alarming news, the World Health Organization recent international research of 250,000 15-year-olds found prophylactic usage has declined significantly between 2014 and 2022. TThe agency has since raised concerns about the potential health risks of this behavioral trend, including increased risk sexually transmitted infections (STDs) and unintended pregnancies. All of which means it’s more important than ever to have an open and honest conversation about what’s stopping the latest generation of lovers from protecting themselves and their partners.
When used correctly, condoms are highly effective in reducing the risk of infection such as HIV, gonorrheaand chlamydia and prevention of unwanted pregnancies. While hormonal contraception not right for everyone, condoms are accessible and affordable (often free!) to support young people in their sexual health. So, let’s explore what is driving teenagers away from condoms…
Condom Riddle
The report shows that the proportion of sexually active 15-year-olds who used a condom the last time they had sex fell from 70% to 61% among boys and 63% to 57% among girls between 2014 and 2022. The UK has some of the lowest rates of condom use, according to the report. Only 37% of girls in Scotland and 40% in Wales said a condom was used the last time they had sex, a sharp drop from 2014 when it was 60% and 57% respectively. So why aren’t young people using condoms? There are many reasons at play…
Lack of comprehensive sex education has a big impact. THEyour partner School of Sexual Education does inclusive, blush-free sex in schools across the UK and has seen plenty of confusion from teenagers about condoms. For example, they report that some young people believe you have to be over sixteen to buy/access condoms, while others did not realize that condoms have an expiry date and cannot be safely used after this time.
There’s a school of thought that suggests we’re seeing it now, too effects of lockdowns for COVID to a new generation of young people, who faced problems at school and far fewer resources than many would receive in person at school or in youth support groups. We know that comprehensive, inclusive sex education is vital to encouraging safe sex practices, and its absence at a critical stage of development can only have a negative impact.
Socioeconomic impact It should also be considered, with the results showing that 33% of youth from lower-income families reported not using condoms or birth control pills, compared to 25% of youth from more affluent families. The School of Sexuality Education’s research with young people shows that there is confusion around this issue. For example, some teenagers accessing their support believe you should always pay for contraception – despite the fact that anyone can access condoms for free in the UK through sexual health services or a GP.
Anxiety around condom use it can also be due to feeling uncertain about how to approach a conversation with a partner. When sexual practices research within our community, we found that while 87% worry about STDs, 53% had sex without a condom because they didn’t know how/felt uncomfortable bringing up the subject with a partner beforehand.
Finally, a classic obstacle rears its head. Emphasis on pleasure it can also prevent young people from using condoms, fearing that condoms will affect the sensation or enjoyment of sex.
How do we deal with this?
We need to tackle stigma and misconceptions about sex at every level. From commissioning inclusive, boundary-pushing TV shows like Sex Education and Heartstopper to encouraging education providers to work with outside experts to deliver more rounded sex education, there is more work to be done across the board . To our co-founder Dr Sarah Welsh, who has delivered sexuality education in schools and worked in NHS sexual health:
“Being open and honest about sex doesn’t always come naturally, and young people especially are under a lot of pressure (not to mention the hormones swirling!). We need to ensure they have ready access not only to free condoms but also to non-judgmental resources and experts who can help them understand how to use condoms effectively, but also how to navigate sexual experiences safely and with pleasure for themselves and their partner(s).’
Talking openly about the things that make teenagers feel bad about condoms can also help encourage uptake. For example, for those worried condoms will reduce their pleasure, pointing out the wide range of condom types out there can help. We designed our HANX condoms to be super thin for maximum sensitivity, while others on the market are designed with ridges and bumps for fun. Encourage testing and trying as part of the condom use process.
Finally, if we’re going to talk about condoms, we need to provide access to condoms. Address misconceptions about difficulties in obtaining necessary contraception by ensuring that condoms are easily accessible to adolescents through school health programs, doctors, sexual health clinics, community groups and other youth-friendly services. Beyond that, taking condoms to non-traditional venues like gigs – we enjoyed supplying condoms for a UK punk band aid station Period crampsconcerts.
Eliminating taboos around condoms is not easy, but it is imperative. Teens of the world, grab yourself a Johnny and get to it!
