(March 26, 2004) — As you exit your elementary school journeying on into middle school and high school, the world becomes more adult related and X-rated. The call of the wild has been issued: Trojan Man! Conflicting issues about condoms, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and sexual education spill forth and you are encompassed by the marvels of sexual attraction, intercourse, education and protection. Unlike such as those at Crescenta Valley High School and other high schools, Clark does not distribute condoms to students. Only information and lessons are taught to enhance students’ good judgment and decision-making concerning their sexual health. Upon entering ninth grade students are required to take one semester of Health and part of the GUSD course description indicates that students are taught about sexual education and STDs. California law requires that if public schools teach sexual education, they must stress abstinence and emphasize that it is the only method that is 100 percent effective in the prevention of both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Studies have shown however, that the abstinence-only education is not as effective as comprehensive sex education. According to health teacher Elaine Snodgress, she would promote abstinence and the postponement of sexual intercourse until marriage. Through presentations and lectures, the students are supplied with information concerning the protection and maintenance of their bodies. They are taught the anatomy of the body with many examples of different STDs that can affect it. But do they take heed of this information? Will they be safe and wait? “The choice of [safe] sex is the teenager’s.” said general practitioner Herach Khudatyan. “It is not mine to decide, because I can’t dictate what they can and can’t do in life. I am just here to help them through the problems that they may experience. I do not think lesser of them for what they do.” If they do have sex early, will they use a form of contraception when it comes to sexual intercourse? According to the Kaiser Family Foundation among sexually active 15-17 year-olds who use contraception, 81% say that they or their partners use condoms “regularly,” and 16% say “sometimes.” Condoms are an essential factor in preventing unintended pregnancies and avoiding STDs, but unfortunately, they are not distributed amongst the students as much as they should be. “If students are given condoms, that would be bad. Because then they would feel that our school is promoting sex,” said a sophomore who wished to remain anonymous. Factors of making sexual decisions include whether students want to deal with the threat of such dangers as HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, or an unintended pregnancy or to remain true to their religious virtues or moralistic values. According to the Add Health Survey, religion reduces the likelihood of adolescents engaging in sex by shaping their attitudes and beliefs about sexual activity. Some teenagers believe that sex before marriage is wrong and immoral, while others believe that there is nothing wrong in having sex early. “Sex is not an immoral thing to do when premarital,” said a Clark junior who wished to remain anonymous. “Teenagers have to realize that it is only natural for humans to have sex. Just don’t regret it your decision.”