Ever seen a condom key chain?

Last summer, I went to an overnight program at UC Berkeley for high school seniors from all over the state. We stayed in the dorms and at night we went to each other’s room to talk and hang out. On the last night, eight girls came to my room and noticed my condom key chain.

“Wow, is that a condom?” one girl asked.

“Yeah,” I said.

“Does your school pass out these things?” another asked.

I told her that it was part of our schools’ health campaign and then I asked if anyone knew how to open a condom.

Some girls started to giggle, while others stared down at the floor.

I pulled out the condom and showed them how to open it properly.

“Wow!” they said.

I fielded questions about birth control, condoms and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) until 3 am.

I was lucky that my school had taught me about these issues and I was happy to share my knowledge with these girls. But at the same time, I was upset because their schools weren’t providing the basic information I think they really need.
 

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