Give condoms to teens over the age of 16, says SDD official
A community leader is calling for young people over the age of 16 to be equipped with both information and resources — including condoms — to help them make responsible sexual decisions.
The age of consent for sexual intercourse in the Virgin Islands is 16.
Programme Director at the Social Development Department, Laurel Freeman, said that although parents often advise teens to abstain from sex, many are already engaging in sexual activity and therefore need proper guidance and access to protection.
“Do we have condoms available for persons over 16 who might want to have sex? Do they know where they can go and get one if they need it? These are things we need to not bury our heads in the sand about because we know that those over 16 are having sex so how are they going to protect themselves? Are we making things accessible or are we just telling them not to have sex?” Freeman questioned.
She also encouraged parents to build open relationships with their children, creating space for honest and sometimes uncomfortable conversations about sex — discussions that can ultimately protect teens from emotional harm and sexually transmitted infections.
“Where are the conversations about what will happen if they have sex too early — emotionally and physically? ‘Why do you think you need to do this at this age?’ These are conversations parents need to have with children and yes, when we were growing up we couldn’t have these conversations with our parents. But times have changed,” Freeman stated.
Freeman emphasized that strong parenting, including healthy co-parenting relationships among separated partners, plays a critical role in helping teens delay sexual activity. She also urged mothers not to withhold children from their fathers, pointing to research that shows a father’s presence — especially in a daughter’s life — can be influential.
“It’s important that men are active in their children’s lives, especially their girls. You always hear that a girl’s first love is her dad because her dad will show her how a husband should treat her. We need the dad more involved with the girls to let them know they can wait. Set goals, get your education and these things will come,” Freeman advised.
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Sounds good,but no one is going to have sex with someone knowingly that that person has aids. And it is not being advertised on one’s forehead..
I know this will stop the spread of unwanted pregnancies and std’s but its shameful how far our society has fallen, teens in highschool shouldn’t be doing this
oh yes let’s encourage them some more instead of teaching life values and abstinence
You deny your human nature
Teens younger than 18 or teens in school should not be having sex period.
You are correct, and it is possible to practice abstinence. Yes until you marry (bible) or until you are in a committed relationship to handle all the things that comes with having sex. To the youths, I know it is hard but it is possible. As a youth my mom told me it is hard to stop having sex once you started. Therefore, for my entire teens and twenties….guess what, I never had sex.
you going to put a chastity belt on them and keep the keys?
Yo killer don’t have to worry about getting S T D he done rotating
even dead i still getting more woman than you
This way alor about the state of our current youths
. that they have to beg and keep blasting this in the news…
Sex offender list when?
Youths intervention when?
I thought this was a Christian society and young people were supposed to wait until marriage to engage in sex. So we are telling the groom its okay if she is a brand new second hand girl. What I realize the devil no longer need to disguise. If you don’t stand for something you fall for anything.
Idiot 16 year olds should not be fighting in school but it happens. I guess to you wearing a seatbelt means more accidents. All ages who drive should wear a seat belt and avoid the consequences of flying out the windshield in a small accident.
@Ayo Gone
So it’s okay for the man be “second hand” but not the woman? Christian community seems to be very thinly veiled sexism and misogyny.
Teens will have sex whether or not we know about it. It is important to educate them and give them the resources to ensure they are safe. You are just an idiot.
Boys will be boys you will let them have their toys. Girls will be girls with pony tails and curls.
Hope you also get comfortable with the shooting the looting and the rest of the package. People like you should not complain about anything.
Apples and Oranges, girl. No one was complaining, and you are being willfully obtuse.
Meen rlly care once everybody protected and safe is all mon maybe not before 16 if possible buh hey such is life yuh chk the vibes