JUL 18, 2010,
By AMRIT BHANDARI
Traditions have changed, cultures have assimilated, and new technology has reduced the size of the gigantic world to a small village. Embracing new technology has resulted in shifts in everyone’s behaviour and brought daily life into the public eye; however, there are a few practices people still prefer to keep private. Despite many changes in sexual behaviour in the last 50 years, the perception of having sex still remains a taboo in many of societies around the world. One of my friends who was recently married shares the problems he faces when buying condoms.
Condoms are the easiest ways to enjoy a safe and satisfying sex life. Since the dawn of the early nineteenth century, condoms have been widely in use. They are the most common and safe form of contraceptive. Notwithstanding this fact, my friend says, ”I have suffered while buying condoms. And this remains the most embarrasing moment in my life. I have to buy more stock since we are waiting to start a family till later. When there is a large crowd together in the pharmacy, I often wait before going inside. I feel nervous and hesitant to ask for condoms amidst a crowd of the people”.
This is not his problem alone. There are many more youngesters and people who feel the same way and it comes from the way society views sexual behaviour as taboo. I have also experienced this when buying condoms. Once I went in a pharmacy where there were few boys and girls where there were few boys and girls and asked for condoms. They broke into laughter and I felt embarrased. They looked at me as If I was going somewhere illegal for sex and committing a crime. If you carry condoms, people will think you are promiscuous. A married man said, “I felt paranoid, like someone and might be watching me from around the corner.” Likewise, males feel hesitant to purchase condoms if they see female shopkeepers.
Much has been done to raise awareness on using condoms—explaining the adverse effects of sexually transmitted diseases. Part of the budget has been allocated to develop advertising messages through the mass media. Trainings and workshops have been conducted in different parts of Nepal. Nevertheless, the attitude and perception remain the same. There are some who are educated and aware of the effects of unsafe sex that are still reluctant to use condoms. They explain that using condoms doesn’t allow them to get optimum satisfaction.
Nepal has gone through many changes; however, people in the educated society also have negative attitudes towards sexual behaviour. We need to be aware that this kind of negative attitude adversely affects our health. We need to think broadly and take sexual relations as a biological need of human beings. Only one mistake can destroy your life, unsafe sex can result in many diseases or unwanted pregnancy. It is therefore the safest idea to give up your shyness and buy condoms.
