12-Year-Olds and Condoms? California Health Program Pushes Birth Control for Young Teens

Thanks to a new project that will help with access to birth control for younger teens, those 12 years and older in California will have the option to have condoms delivered to their door for free and without their parents' consent, according to the new state's Department of Public Health.

Some believe this could be a godsend to protect those already having intercourse without the availability of birth control. However, many parents also feel that having the option to use birth control among younger teens may encourage sexual activity.

The Condom Access Project, available through TeenSource.org-a website that provides information about safe sex for California teens-will be available for individuals 12-19 in parts of the state. The kids do not need their parents' permission to sign up, which is completed online, and may receive up to 10 condoms a month.

"If you're having sex, protect yourself and your partner by using a condom every time," the TeenSource website says . The site then prompts teens to enter their ZIP code, age and city to get the free condoms.

Several days later, a package of condoms, lubricant and an educational pamphlet arrives at teenagers' homes in a nondescript yellow envelope, WCPO reported.

The Huffington Post reports that this initiative targets counties with "alarmingly high" numbers of sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers, as well as teen pregnancies, and has distributed more than 30 thousand condoms across the state, so far. 

Amy Moy, vice president of public affairs for the Family Health Council, a nonprofit co-sponsoring the program, told the Bakersfield Californian that they can't pretend there isn't a problem in the state.

"We know teens are engaging and we want to make sure they're as safe as possible," she said, according to RTV6.

Yet, many abstinence advocates are angered over the program, including Bakersfield Pregnancy Center's Linda Davis who says Kern County - one of the areas included in the initiative - should not be part of the plan.

"I would think the overwhelming majority of parents in Kern County wouldn't think this is a good idea," Davis told the Associated Press . "And I don't think their kids would have the nerve to request them."

What do you think?