Let Children be Children
Children Do Not Need Condoms: Tell NICE to Stop Sexualising Our Children
Children Do Not Need Condoms: Tell NICE to Stop Sexualising Our Children
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have recently released new guidelines – Sexually Transmitted Infections: condom distribution scheme. As part of this scheme, NICE are recommending increased availability of condoms to children as young as 13.
There already exist condom distribution schemes through which children can get free condoms without parental consent. As if this were not bad enough, NICE are now recommending even greater access to condoms as a way to prevent further spread of sexually transmitted infections (STI)
This method for reducing the spread of STIs is extremely questionable as latest Government reports show STI rates continuing to increase with “[t]he largest proportional increases in diagnoses between 2014 and 2015 [being] reported for syphilis (20%) and gonorrhoea (11%).” In other words, this approach has been tried and it’s not working.
More importantly however, NICE are encouraging children to break the law, they are undermining parental authority and they are encouraging the sexualisation of children with its many known adverse side effects. (see here and here)
1. NICE are encouraging children to break the law. The age of sexual consent in the UK is 16 but by recommending the increased distribution of condoms to 13 years olds, NICE are openly encouraging them to flout the law which exists for their own safety.
2. NICE are undermining parental authority. Many parents and families believe that sex should only occur between a married couple, and NICE are actively subverting this view as it is passed on to the next generation. This is because it is possible for a child of 13 to obtain free condoms (as well as other contraception) without the distributor having to inform their parents.
3. NICE are trying to sexualise children. The adverse effects of the sexualisation of children are well known. Over 25% of teenage girls (14-17) who are sexually active say that they are always, usually or often depressed, compared to 7.7% of girls who are not sexually active. For boys the number is 8.3% compared to 3.3%. Similarly, teenage girls who are sexually active are 3 times more likely to attempt suicide then non-sexually active teenage girls. For boys, the contrast is even greater – sexually active teenage boys are 8 times more likely to attempt suicide than their non-sexually active counterparts.
NICE are encouraging an illegal, anti-family and even dangerous activity, and we should not stand for it.
NICE must stop sexualising our children.
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2003/06/sexually-active-teenage...
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2005/10/teenage-sexual-abstinen...
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/GID-PHG93/documents/draft-guideline
https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/we-can-reduce-stis-by-increasing-co...
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fil...
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Consultation on NICE Guidance - Sexually Transmitted Infections: condom distribution schemes - Children Do Not Need Condoms
For the attention of Christine Carson, programme director of the Centre for Guidelines at NICE,
Dear Ms Carson,
I write to you in regard to NICE’s most recent guidelines ‘Sexually Transmitted Infections: condom distribution schemes’.
In regards to this most recent document, you recommend further condom distribution especially among young people and, in conjunction with existing guidelines, you want this new ‘multicomponent’ approach to be available for children as young as 13.
I ask you stop sexualising children, stop usurping parental authority and cease encouraging children to break the law.
1. I wish to remind you that the age of sexual consent in this country in 16.
2. If you encourage 13-year-olds to have sex, you should not be surprised when they do. Rather than supplying condoms, you should encourage children to wait until they are older.
3. Many people have very different views about the meaning and importance of sex and believe that it should wait until marriage. Through your scheme you are undermining this view and undermining the authority of parents.
4. The adverse effects of childhood sexualisation, including increased rates of depression and suicide, are well known. It is irresponsible and immoral of NICE to advocate a scheme which will only lead to more sexualisation of children.
In light of this, I ask you to obey the law as written and not distribute or encourage others to distribute condoms to children under the age of 16.
The spread of STI should end but this will not happen through the sexualisation of children.
Consultation on NICE Guidance - Sexually Transmitted Infections: condom distribution schemes - Children Do Not Need Condoms
For the attention of Christine Carson, programme director of the Centre for Guidelines at NICE,
Dear Ms Carson,
I write to you in regard to NICE’s most recent guidelines ‘Sexually Transmitted Infections: condom distribution schemes’.
In regards to this most recent document, you recommend further condom distribution especially among young people and, in conjunction with existing guidelines, you want this new ‘multicomponent’ approach to be available for children as young as 13.
I ask you stop sexualising children, stop usurping parental authority and cease encouraging children to break the law.
1. I wish to remind you that the age of sexual consent in this country in 16.
2. If you encourage 13-year-olds to have sex, you should not be surprised when they do. Rather than supplying condoms, you should encourage children to wait until they are older.
3. Many people have very different views about the meaning and importance of sex and believe that it should wait until marriage. Through your scheme you are undermining this view and undermining the authority of parents.
4. The adverse effects of childhood sexualisation, including increased rates of depression and suicide, are well known. It is irresponsible and immoral of NICE to advocate a scheme which will only lead to more sexualisation of children.
In light of this, I ask you to obey the law as written and not distribute or encourage others to distribute condoms to children under the age of 16.
The spread of STI should end but this will not happen through the sexualisation of children.
