Worth it?

[geminigirl]

All the HIV testing I've done recently...I do risk assessment with each of the people...and one of the things we look at is frequency of condom use. Overwhelmingly the answers were "some of the time" "rarely" or "never"

So I'm kind of disheartened. When I look at those numbers, when I see the huge numbers of people not using condoms, I wonder...is it worth it? Is what I do worth it? Does it really matter?

Comments

[malte.livejournal.com]

Have you any idea why they don't use condoms?

It's really beyond me. But I suppose it's a straight thing.

[geminigirl]

Why? All kinds of reasons...I don't like the way they feel, I can't get them, it ruins things, and so on and so on and so on. Every excuse possible. And it's not just straight people, although proportionatly, the rate of condom use was higher among the glbt people than among the others.

[tommx.livejournal.com]

because they don't think. it's not so much a straight thing as much as a downright stupid thing.

and i'm sure there are still many straight people out there who do think that aids can't touch them because they're straight. they scare the hell out of me.

[roosterbear.livejournal.com]

One thing to consider is that if one uses condoms consistently, one might not get tested as often, feeling that the condoms obviate the need for it.

I know, it's flawed logic, and people rarely operate by logic anyway, but it's possible. You might be looking at a sample that is not necessarily representative of the population.

In any case, what you do is important. Don't ever let yourself really believe otherwise.

[mhw.livejournal.com]

Of course what you do is worth it. If you only ever saved one person from getting sick, it would be worth it.

[griffen.livejournal.com]

Sadly, for every person that listens, there will be ten that don't.

That doesn't mean your work doesn't matter.

You are doing something important for the ones who are willing to listen. Don't doubt it.

[moonbaby69666.livejournal.com]

My boyfriend and I don't use them but we've only ever been with each other. We also don't like how they feel, because usually when we use them we can barely feel anything.

And, I was dragged here by that cute kitten icon you have, is that your kitten???

[tigerfemme.livejournal.com]

My major concern here is...what are you using for contraception? The Pill does have a non-negligible failure rate...which is why I would *highly* suggest *some* back-up method.

As far as condoms, they make thinner/more sensitive condoms; that I know.

Just my concerned two cents.

[geminigirl]

The kitten is Beta Kitty-he lives with me and Oblivion (the white cat.) He's about 14 weeks old now, and he's a sweet little monster. It would be better if he stopped trying to jump on Oblivicat though.

Okay. Now...please don't assume this rant is directed at you and your boyfriend only...it's not. But you know...there are very few people who LIKE the way condoms feel. I hate the way they feel. I hate the way they don't fit one of my partners very well. I hate the fact that I'm allergic to so much stuff that the only brand of condoms I can use cost $2 a condom. Condoms are a nuiscance. Unless you make them a part of lovemaking, they're disruptive. It's true. But you know...not getting sick, not getting pregnant sounds way more appealing. And not having to go from not using condoms with partner A. to using them when I get together with partner B down the road...well that's probably the most appealing part...to not have to change that behavior. In spite of the envy I have towards my friends who had sex lives pre-HIV, (it was different) I don't envy them having to change their behavior, having to start to learn to use condoms each and every time.


They don't feel good? Tough. Make em feel better by putting a drop or two of water based lubricant like Wet or Astroglide in the tip before you pinch it to roll it on. Doesn't feel good for the female partner? Make sure you lube it well with water based lube on the outside. Try female condoms.

There are all kinds of excuses. There are also all kinds of things that can happen when one doesn't use condoms. Some of them are fatal. Some of thm aren't. They all sound less than pleasant to me.

Okay. Rant over. Like I said, this isn't about you and your boyfriend-everyone has to make their own choices about what's right and best for them. I just know how frustrated I get.

[katishna.livejournal.com]

Your work is definitely worth it. Even if you teach a class of 20 people and only one or two listen, you're doing a great service to those two people. And the rest of them, well, maybe something will unfortunately hit close to home and they'll get the point.

My question is, if they're in for HIV testing, you'd think that something hit close enough to home to scare them into getting *tested*, so shouldn't they start *protecting* themselves now? Hopefully it's not too late.

[kreie.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking about that this morning. I have a friend who has unprotected sex with every partner she has. She does pull out and pray, or she does the rhythm method. And she's had an AIDS scare before -- one of her unprotected partners was diagnosed with it. And when she told me that she and her new 2-week-old boyfriend had unprotected sex "because I was on the tail end of my period". Argh. I bitched her out a little bit, but still, I try not to bitch my friends out much.