Condom Taxation
20100303, 080028 - 2 commentsSerious politics involves solving serious problems; one of the problems blighting Britain at the moment is the shockingly high rate of Teenage pregnancies. Almost a year ago I fist asked what should be done about this, and got a range of responses back, some people suggested more education, other felt less education was the answer, some felt that forced gender segregation from the age of 12 to 20 would solve the problem (and I’m inclined to agree that if male and female teenagers were never allowed the meet the chances of one of one of them acquiring a pregnancy are reduced, but such a plan would be costly, and it would not work) some of my f’book fans even got in touch to suggest that cattle prods may be the answer but failed to elaborate on how.
Late last year I was shown another potential solution that seems to be working on the European continent; that is statistics show that there is an inverse correlation between the cost of condoms and the rate of teenage pregnancies. The UK has according to a report published on December 4th 2009 the lowest priced condoms within the EU and the highest rate of teen pregnancies, where as on the continent the report stated the price is over 100% higher and they have far fewer teenagers getting pregnant. Following on from this I have looked into research on the issue of a Condom Tax, would raising the price of Condoms by 100% (as well as giving parity with our continental brothers within the union and raising funds for our ailing government) help to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies?
So far the result of this research has proven inconclusive, with opinion divided between those that feel it would have the desired effect and those who fear it would in fact have the opposite effect. Some commentators have noted that an higher price would make the Condoms seem more attractive, almost as a status symbol, others were keen to point out that some teenagers would no longer afford to practise safe sex and would turn to abstinence.
Do any of you remember what it was like to be 17. Hormones flowing and curiosity at its peak. Feeling like you knew it all and you were invincible. If you decide you’re going to have sex you’re going to do it. Regardless of condom availability.
I say educate the youth it is wrong, but still make condoms accessible. To many of my friends ended up pregnant or with an STD just because they were embarrassed to buy. What’s going to happen if you add another stumbling point to the purchase of condoms?
And did anyone consider the education factor of the area that had the lower pregnancy rate? Perhaps the parenting is better.
Hi Buy,
Thank you for your contribution, it is always interesting to get other peoples input into such matters.
I wonder about a view that has been put forward in a recent survey that an increased cost would make condoms seem more desirable, almost of a status symbol, do you think that this might have solved the embarrassment problems that resulted in your friends getting pregnant and STDs?