John D. Hartigan

About the author: John D. Hartigan is a corporate lawyer who works in the fields of public health and education.

Studies show that distributing condoms to teenagers in schools does not protect them against sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy. Teens do not have the discipline or control to use condoms correctly every time they have sex. Other studies have found that teens who have access to condoms in schools increase the level of their sexual activity, thereby increasing their risks for contracting STDs or becoming pregnant.

The theory generally advanced to justify distributing condoms to teenagers is that this will protect them against pregnancy and HIV infection if they choose to be sexually active. However, study after study shows that this policy just doesn't work in practice. In real life, handing...