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Rubber talk
Once while I was at the ladies room, a pack of condoms fell off my 'kikay' kit and some friends laughed upon seeing that. "Oh my golly, you're bringing rubber with you? You must be leading a sexually active life."
Well, they were entirely wrong because that rubber has obviously expired, ha ha ha.
Anyway, which brings us to the point of how important carrying a rubber is with you at all times, whether you are a male or female.
I've been attending press conferences and other talks about sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases and family planning for more than a decade in my life as a journalist. I've also met people living with HIV/AIDS and their life story can break your heart and how I wish everybody heard them too so they could also be on guard. Consider me indoctrinated.
Bringing rubber should be as important as bringing your hanky, foundation, lipstick and cellphone with you. You don't know when you might use it. Or a friend might need it. Many times have I partied and some acquaintances were "in need" so they had to get one from me. But darn, the good ones are really expensive and they can't be freeloaders all their lives. I'm not the Population Commission, you know.
Anyways, let me reiterate the importance of bringing a rubber and what it is.
The rubber is called the "condom", a thin sheath that covers the penis during sex and is made of one of the following materials: rubber, plastic (for people allergic to latext) or lamb skin. Male condoms can vary greatly in color, size, amount of lubrication and amount of spermicide. The male condom protects against infection and pregnancy by covering the penis and preventing direct contact between the penis and vagina, as well as collecting the semen and preventing it from entering the vagina.
The latex condom can protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. However, those made of lamb skin do not protect against the above mentioned.
The condom is the best method for reducing the risk of STIs. But of course, there is nothing as sure as abstinence which is 100 percent. Using a condom allows men to share responsibility for pregnancy prevention and protection against STDs.
Some males complain that using one is not enjoyable. In order for his partner to agree on not using one, he makes promises like, "I'll marry you when you get pregnant" or "I love you." But honey, these are a pack of lies. A male partner who cares about you should agree to use a rubber. And you have to insist, too. Here are a few reasons why you should:
One, the achievement of your dreams for yourself will be destroyed or delayed if you get pregnant and not ready for it. How many love struck teens have we seen turn into harassed-looking and puffy eyed individuals who aged fast because everyday they worry where to get the money for diapers, milk and immunization and had to contend with meddling in-laws. But if they were careful, they could have had married and had children at a time when they were ready and mature, thus providing for a better life for their family.
Second, there are some STIs that can kill you, like the Human Papillomavirus which causes cervical cancer. How many women have been sick of this menace and have died even because their partner fooled around and failed to use a rubber.
I think men and women in a relationship should be responsible enough to protect each other's sexual health and future. Partners need to have each other's consent, do not use pressure to get the consent, be honest with each other, be attentive to one another's pleasure, protect each other from harm, protect from unintended pregnancy and STIs, respect each other's limits and accept responsibility for their actions.
So do get that rubber and carry it with you for "emergency use." You could save a life and fulfill dreams that need to be pursued -- your own or that of a friend's.