TIGed

Switch headers Switch to TIGweb.org

Are you an TIG Member?
Click here to switch to TIGweb.org

HomeHomeExpress YourselfPanoramaHow Safe Are Condoms?
Panorama
a TakingITGlobal online publication
Search



(Advanced Search)

Panorama Home
Issue Archive
Current Issue
Next Issue
Featured Writer
TIG Magazine
Writings
Opinion
Interview
Short Story
Poetry
Experiences
My Content
Edit
Submit
Guidelines
How Safe Are Condoms? Printable Version PRINTABLE VERSION
by Crystal_Abongta, Cameroon Oct 29, 2002
Health , Culture   Opinions
 1 2   Next page »

  

Many people have likened the act of using condoms to eating bananas with the peelings; some say its like bathing with your clothes on; others think its like watching a movie with your eyes closed. No matter what the analogy, one can confidently conclude that these are all phrases exhuming people’s frustrations about the whole idea of using the rubbers.
One young man confessed to me that using condoms is like sentencing love to life imprisonment. Others think that it’s actually plastifying love, thus, rendering it as interesting as a boring concert. From these popular sayings, it can therefore be said that insisting on using condoms as a prevention method is behaving like a man who clings on to a serpent when he found himself drowning in a river.
The society today has been fragmented into two antagonistic categories of people; on the one hand, are the die-hards to the “half-a-loaf-is-better-than-nothing philosophy". They argue that it’s better to use condoms than nothing and they also belief that, condoms are indispensable if we have to contain the STDs/HIV/AIDS since people can’t be faithful or abstain from sex all the time.
On the other side are those who uphold religious values as their guiding principles and therefore reject condoms as immoral and offer no solution. They belief in the All-or-none philosophy and to them, building the potentials of fidelity and abstinence is the surest way of preventing these diseases. To them, life is so precious to be placed in the unstable hands of condoms. At the crossroads of this two contrasting groups of people is another group; those who reject or accept the condom just for the sake of it, without any influence from any of the other two classes. What ever happens, they choose whichever option that appeal to their consciences irrespective of consequences. They have the I-don’t-care attitude of life.
Condoms as a matter of fact, offer no protection against HIVAIDS irrespective of what people choose to belief. There is non-in the world that has been proven to be 100% safe. Even those who advocate condoms will testify to this. They often tell you, condoms are better than nothing is. There may be some reality in such a statement, one can’t Denny the fact, but my question now is; considering the lethality of the HIV/AIDS, are we realistic enough to place our lives on a probability?
For those who consistently use condoms, there will come a day when all odds suddenly turn against you and you end up infected. Note that it doesn’t matter the magnitude of the risk you are taking. Once the HIV gets into you, you become a living corps irrespective of the fact whether it came in through a high or low risk. The HIV has no conscience; it will not pity you because of your consistency in using condoms or because of your laudable efforts in reducing the risk factors involved in contracting it. Once you are careless and happened to be infected, it affects you just the same way as it will affect the person who had been careless all through.
We have grown into a system where in, everything is done to always escape the truth. Facing the truth to many a people is like meeting a menacing ghost. Each time we come face to face with reality, we are thrown off balance because it becomes a situation where in we reveal who we really are. That’s why we keep going round and round in circles like drugged sheep in an attempt to evade the truth glaring at us. But, the truth remains the truth, no matter how long it takes us to discover it.
From the bottom of our hearts, we know that the purest methods of avoiding STDs/HIV/AIDS that are 100% safe are Abstinence and Fidelity. We understand that cultivating these practices, will distant us from these deadly diseases, but we selfishly and painfully evade this concrete truth and introduce the condom with all its shortcomings simply most of the times because of materialism.
Abstinence and fidelity are all ingredients of chastity, that precious word which when mentioned sends shock waves through our spines because of our dangerous lifestyles. There are a multiplicity of youths and adults alike guilty of illicit sex and marital infidelity. It’s no exaggeration to say that people, as such, don’t even know where such words are written in the dictionary. Their eyes see promiscuity where abstinence or fidelity is written. They are more comfortable with flirting around, than being reserved.
Chastity is a quality of the mind, which makes you, stay away from what I can term sexual crimes like illicit sex, prostitution and marital infidelity. It seams to many people as a figment of the imagination and unrealistic or impractical. The truth is that we only need a commitment and dedication to cultivate it. It is rewarding to be chaste than be promiscuous.
If some of our girls could spend one-tenth of the energy they use in running after men for money to develop the values of chastity, they will generate the best quality of it. If men could stop polluting girls, chastity will not only be a dream but a reality.





 1 2   Next page »   


Tags

You must be logged in to add tags.

Writer Profile
Crystal_Abongta


Abongta is my name, some people especially writers choose to call me Crystal Brain. I am 28yrs old and a proud Cameroonian, who insists in seeing things in a slightly different perspective. I have a passion for satire thus my artistic works bring out that aspect in me which is most often kept in the catacomb of my being.

The tyrannical society, in which I grew up, shaped me into what I am today. My works especially the paintings serves as a major outlet without which I would better not exist.
Comments


Fundamentalism, extremism and sensationalism does NOT substitute fact
Troy Dunn | Oct 31st, 2002
No condoms are not 100% effective, but virtually are once you ACKNOWLEDGE facts clearly demonstrating that they are in fact the safest way to engage in sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse being something that is defined by the individual in how they practice this- NOT some intangible, heterosexist, outdated belif system. Firstly- why do you CRAZY hypocritical pro-lifers manage to claim such ironu and lies. If the absurdness of advocating that condoms do not minimise the risk of pregnancy and infection was successful (which it surely wil not), it would result in thousands, in fact eventually thousands more deaths. Nearly as rational as supposedly "PRO-LIFERS'" that KILL docors who perform abortions. There is a basis to your facts, but you are extremely scare mongering, moralistic and UNREALISTIC in your untruthful and ingnorant misinformation your article states. FACT: There are much higher incidences of cervical cancer amongst nuns and other celibate people, as thee human body- of course is created to have and ENJOY sex GUILT FREE!!!! If the sex is consensual, and no one is being harmed, then it is none of your ignorant, dogmatic business. The preposterous ideas you propose are against instinct- whether or not you want to concede this. FACT: Celibacy amongst catholic clergy has resulted in acute repression which has festered and resulted in the tragic abuse of many children by these people who are afflicted with distorted ideas through misconceived doctrine such as you are espousing.



Raymond M. Kristiansen | Nov 19th, 2003
conspiracy theories... let



Read this again
Abongta Shu Moncha Brain | Apr 11th, 2005
Firstly, it pays a lot more to be polite and respectful; this is a genuine ingredient of responsible humans. My article does not in anyway herald the Catholic religion as the best neither does it suggest that Pro-lifers are only catholic. I am not a catholic. Sarcasm does not in anyway resolve differences neither doe it help change others. I am not for example going to change what I uphold simply because a certain lousy Troy Dunn thinks I’m nuts. It’s no surprise that I detect homosexual tendencies in what you outlandishly and foolish bring yourself to write as comments. Homosexuality and pedophilias is becoming and integral part of the western world so it marked no news that Roman Catholic priests in the US get involve even when their counterparts in other responsible countries like Cameroon can’t get to such a deplorable level. Responding to your comments Lisa Thurston, I’ll rather say you need some more research. Abstinence from illicit sex does not mean we advocate for celibacy and in fact celibacy is not a solution to anything. Abstinence is prescribed to unmarried people. And because we acknowledge that at one time you might change camps and get involved in a relation, we recommend fidelity when you must have been married. What we decry is this syndrome of changing sex partners every now and then – and aspect I’m so sure a man like Troy Dunn should be suffering from. Concluding and whether you like it or not, the condom is no solution to HIV/AIDS. it has never been. It’s because we get confused between facts and opinions that we keep running away from the truth.



its not funny anymore
malefetsane | Feb 23rd, 2010
each time people are being encouraged to abstain, its a joke. I am sorry to say this but its not fucken funny anymore. I have two brothers and four sisters. One of my brothers is HIV positive and two of my sisters are HIV positive. Life is not easy for them to tell you the truth, as they sometimes get sick. So please jokes aside abstain and dont put your life on line with a condom



Andy Harglesis
Andy Harglesis | Nov 7th, 2013
This is a joke ... educate children on sex. Specifically, educate them on alternative ways to enjoy sex without the risk of pregnancy.

You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.