We’re Teaching About Condoms All Wrong: How Sex Educators Reinforce Negative Attitudes and Misinformation About Condoms and How to Change That

Abstract For decades, sexuality educators have fought to include condom lessons in sexuality education programs. Condoms have been promoted for good reason: they work to prevent pregnancy and remain the only form of contraception that also offers protection against STIs. While most sex educators agree that sexual health programs must include conversations about condoms, our current lessons, which remain rooted in early HIV-prevention efforts, actually perpetuate negative attitudes about condoms—including suggestions that they are difficult to use and an assumption that people dislike condoms. This article explains issues with current condom lessons and suggests a more positive approach.