I don't know if there are programs in Japan in which high schools distribute free condoms to teens to control unwanted pregnancy and the spread of disease. I am pretty sure, though clearly I cannot be certain, that such programs would not be debated based on religious concerns if they were proposed. They almost certainly be pondered in terms of expense (who pays) and the potential embarrassment that would follow offering such private items to kids. In the U.S., some schools do offer condoms, but some do not because there is too much blowback from people who believe that it promotes promiscuity among the hormonally charged youngsters.
I continue to miss the fact that the Japanese have a more enlightened attitude toward birth control (though not necessarily sex itself, but that is a topic for another post) and make it relatively easy and morally acceptable to seek it out.
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On the other hand, there aren't as many options. Lobbying from the Japan Medical Association prevented the Pill from being approved there for nearly 40 years; it was finally approved in 1999. Culturally speaking, I have heard that women are the chief condom-buyers in Japan, so perhaps the thought of Pill-as-women's-lib isn't as strong as it was elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteYou make an excellent point there, Hirayuki! Thanks for adding that!
DeleteIn addition to more enlightened/realistic views concerning sex and birth control,the lack of any strong religious beliefs in Japan seems to have many advantages. If there are any disadvantages to that, I cannot figure out what they are.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Orchid64 on the observation that enlightened views on birth control do not necessarily equal enlightened views on sex in general. For one thing, STD awareness seems to be rather low in Japan.
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