英语课程计划-National Condom Day（在线收听）

February the 14th is National Condom Day. It aims to raise awareness of safe sex and the reasons for it. Today we live in a world where unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS, are on the increase. This increase can be reversed with proper education, especially among young people. Half of reported STDs in the USA are among the age group 15-24. America’s Social Health Association encourages young people not to risk having sexual relations as the best way of avoiding STDs. However, it also recognizes that young people will choose to be sexually active and that it is essential to teach them about the importance of condoms and how to use them correctly.

Condoms have been used for over 400 years. They were originally made from the intestines of animals. Since the nineteenth century, they have been the most popular method of contraception and birth control in the world. They have saved countless lives and have prevented young girls from becoming pregnant. They are widely accepted in many countries, although the embarrassment  of talking about them has not yet disappeared. In other countries they are controversial and banned. The Roman Catholic Church opposes condom use. The demand for and use of condoms is growing rapidly. It is estimated people will buy 18.6 billion condoms in 2015.