By Lee Kyung-min
A campaign to distribute free condoms to teenagers has become a focus of controversy.
While many parents oppose the idea, saying the plan will distract teenagers from their studies, supporters say it is the best solution to prevent abortions and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
The condom distribution campaign, called French Letter Project, was started last month by Seong Min-hyun, 24, the founder of Instinctus that operates online condom shop EVE.
The shop sends condoms to teenagers who request them online. It is legal for minors to buy condoms in shops including convenience stores, but in reality, many stores refuse to sell them.
Supporters say that the campaign is a helpful part of sex education.
“Considering that all the sex education we were given at school was about how not to be taken advantage of by strangers, I think the company’s campaign has a valid, practical point,” a 26-year-old office worker said.
Another 28-year-old woman said that using a simple contraceptive is far better than girls having to undergo an abortion.
“I think wearing a condom, which is easy, is 100 times preferable to a surgical procedure which is a much more scarring experience of a lifetime,” she said.
However, parents firmly oppose the idea, saying their children should not fall victim to such a marketing tactic.
“Teenagers should focus on studying without distraction. It is no problem that they delay sexual pleasure for a few years,” a mother of a 15-year-old girl said.
“The company’s campaign is only a shallow scheme to attract future customers a little earlier. They should focus on targeting adults, not young children.”
However, Seong says he encourages the use of condoms, not promiscuity.
“Parents think encouraging the use of condoms equals encouraging sex,” he said. “I am arguing that if young couples will have sex anyway, they should be informed of the right contraceptive choices and make smart decisions rather than causing unwanted pregnancies because they are denied access to birth control methods.”
He said people should more openly discuss taking precautionary measures, saying Korea has the highest abortion rate among the 34 OECD countries.
“Flatly banning minors from having sex would only make them crave what they are denied. I am for healthy sex education,” he added.
Seong said he often heard from teenagers that they were scolded severely after their parents discovered condoms in envelopes delivered to their homes by his company.
“I think we have to teach what needs to be taught, the earlier the better. Having sex is not wrong. I hope I contribute to open and honest discussion about sex by helping such parents acknowledge what’s preferable: unwanted teenage pregnancy, or using a condom?”