High school to distribute condoms at prom
VIDEO - A Brooklyn high school plans to distribute condoms at prom as part of its larger safer-sex education program...
A Brooklyn high school plans to distribute condoms at prom as part of its larger safer-sex education program, but critics argue against the idea, saying the move promotes teen sex. School officials at Bedford-Stuyvesant Preparatory High School will hand out the condoms as students leave the party on June 7.
The city’s Department of Education says schools have long been permitted to distribute condoms to students, though usually they’re provided in the nurse’s office. The decision to hand them out after prom, some say, encourages the activity.
“You expect them to stay focused on school,” said Sean Peters, . “By giving them condoms it’s like you’re kind of telling them to have it but use protection.” Another person said “it’s better safe than sorry.” “I’m not saying it’s going to happen on that night, but why not, because that’s what’s on people’s minds,” said Gia Gilliard.
The condoms will be provided by NuVo, a Long Island-based manufacturer that offers free condoms to high school proms across New York. NuVo said it’s not condoning sex for teens, but “would like to make sure that all students are safe and protected” by offering the free condoms.
A company spokesperson told NBC News that Bedford-Stuyvesant Prep is the only high school to take them up on its offer, so far. The school has notified parents about the program.The school also said that there will be a safer-sex assembly program for students in the weeks leading up to prom.
