The Guardian started to sell condoms, then a few days later, they were taken off the shelves. Now they use paper to cover the "Family Planning" sign...
From a Facebook post by Low Zoey
Long story short - The Guardian on campus got rid of all the "Family Planning" products at the request of the 'NUS Management', coincidentally mere days after an anonymous comment on the "NUS Confessions" FB page "announced" that condoms were finally available on campus. Previously, the campus Cheers/7-11 did not carry condoms.
A group presentation a couple of years ago on contraception led to me call UHWC (campus health services) to ask if they had safe sex brochures or free condoms that we could distribute.
The embarrassed sounding receptionist informed me that not only do they not have any brochures or learning aids, UHWC does not give out, sell or stock condoms. However, they do prescribe the morning after pill and the contraceptive pill.
Sure, students can always leave campus to get what they need, but what kind of message is this sending? I get the sense that this "world class" university babies us too much (or worse, is in abject denial about the realities of human nature). To be fair, such decisions aren't always their own - they might be avoiding backlash from conservative parents - not that it's any real excuse.
Even a cursory knowledge of teenage pregnancy and STD and HIV prevention will show that access to contraception and adequate knowledge in a supporting environment will go a long way.
The presence of condoms on campus is not going to cause a fornication boom. In fact, this "worst nightmare" is already happening - read the accounts on "NUS Confessions" for one and note the plethora of 'sex scandals' involving NUS students. Why not help us stay safe?
