Condom the Focus of \"The

¶ … Condom

The focus of "The Condom and Why More People Don't Use It" is not based on measurement and statistical analysis. Its' focus is on meaning, interpretation, and experiments in the world of people (page 233). The results are startling. Although the study is eleven years old, in researching other newer studies similar to this, I have found that the results are basically the same. It is startling to me that over a decade can pass and more information on protection from AIDS and other STDs is out there to the public and people still refuse to believe "it could happen to them."

In researching this study I have discovered that people, especially women allow emotion to influence their decisions in the use of a condom. While men allow passion to influence their decisions. Some people still believe in this day and age that AIDS is a homosexual disease and believe "that they are not at a high risk because the numbers are lower in heterosexual relationships" Page 230. Even the Australian Federation of AIDS

Organization, which was recently updated September 5th 2005, is mainly focused of homosexual men and women (http://www.afao.org.au/index.asp).Recent studies have shown, however, homosexual men and women are more likely to use a condom than a heterosexual person.

I have chosen to keep this study as the same focus of "The Condom and Why More People Don't Use It." I find its' focus of the people rather than the statistical analysis fascinating. People never cease to amaze me, even when they know they are endangering themselves they still allow emotion and passion to influence their decisions.

I am no saint, I too have had unprotected sex.

However, when the passion had faded my first thought was "What have I done?" I placed myself at risk and when I really thought about it, I realized that I was ignorant; I was embarrassed to even bring up the use of a condom to my partner and most importantly I didn't place enough value on myself to do what was right. This study leads me to wonder if most people in general do not place enough value on themselves and their lives to use protection.

Communication is a large factor when it comes to not using a condom. People find that talking about condom use is uncomfortable and embarrassing, even purchasing condoms seems to be too embarrassing. One informant states "You talk about it....but you don't really talk about it." (Female age 23, The Condom and Why People Don't Use

It, Page 240) Another female said "The conversation is pretty minimal really...just who's got them and where are they. It's not an in-depth discussion!" (age 30,-Page 235)

Not wanting to appear to be too knowledgeable about sexual issues has also become a factor. People are worried about being judged by their partner if they bring up using a condom before sex. A male informant states "When she asked me to use a condom, I thought....she must think I am a tart...I thought maybe she's thinking I sleep with everyone or something....or is afraid of getting AIDS (Male age 32,-Page 235).

One female informant said "The conversation is pretty minimal really...just who's got them and where are they. It's not an in-depth discussion!" (age 30,-Page 235) One male thought if he brought up the subject of using a condom with his partner she would be insulted by it.

Trust issues were another reason why people do not use condoms. Many felt that if they were in a stable and serious relationship that it would be acceptable to be condom free. Women in particular feel that pressures from their significant others was too much and felt they would lose their mate if they did not comply. "So what I was doing was to let him have his was and not wear condoms, so I wouldn't lose him." (Female, Age 23)

Women still believe in this day and age, that would be considered "cheap or trashy" if they were to demand their partner use a condom.

It has been reported that women are traditionally seen as the "gatekeepers of sexual morality but have a lack of assertion. (The

Condom, Page 232) It seems that men are still seen as being entitled to pressure women with regard to sexual practices, example of having sex without a condom. (The Condom,

What I have found to be very startling are women who are married. Some women who know their spouse is having extra marital affairs refuse to address the issue of using condom. They do not want to address the issue of the affair so they say nothing and take the risk of jeopardizing themselves. For some fear of abuse or rejection from their spouse was worse than the fear of contracting AIDS. However, some women restrict their spouse from having sex with them for fear of obtaining AIDS from their unfaithful spouse.

John Hopkins School of Health, Page 1)

In East and Central Africa women who believe their husbands are infected with HIV still have intercourse with their spouses without condoms because having children is more important tot heir staus in the family and community. (John Hopkins School of Public

Health, Pages 62,310, 357)

I am dumbfounded and appalled as to how we as women cannot emotionally detach ourselves and use logic when our health is to be taken into consideration. How can we in today's society still behave in such primitive manner? We can achieve just about anything that a man can achieve but yet we still fall to the pressures, guilt and worries of what a man thinks of us. So much so that we place ourselves at risk.

Men in general still say that using a condom hinders their feeling during sex.

They see condom usage as an interruption to the "flow" of sexual encounters (The

Condom, Page 236) "I know- I have read stuff that says they're not supposed to diminish the sensation- but personally I find that they do." (Male Age 35)

In general condoms were not considered to influence the female orgasm, many women found it painful because the vaginal lubrication would diminish.