Sex and Teenagers: Hip Hop Condoms
 

Company Targets Teens With Hip-Hop Condoms

Thursday, January 08, 2004

By Liza Porteus



NEW YORK — A campaign to market a new line of condoms to teens has some people wondering if it's conveying a message that condom use — and, in essence, sex — is cool for kids.

Jimmie Hatz condoms (search) — "jimmie hat" is a hip-hop slang word for condom — are slated to hit some store shelves Feb. 1 and are aimed at urban teens across the country. The company that produces the condoms says it's promoting safe sex, but critics decry the idea of marketing contraceptives directly to teens in a way that seems "hip."

"Basically, what we've tried to do here is make it the cool thing to do, the 'in' thing to do, to protect yourself," said Harry Terrell, CEO of Common Ground USA (search), which produces the condoms.

The marketing campaign targets what Common Ground calls the "hip-hop kulture," particularly in minority communities that are hardest hit with HIV and AIDS. That culture is defined as any group of people — regardless of race — that enjoys emceeing, deejaying, breakdancing "or just loves music," Terrell said.

"When you look at the numbers and the rate of infection continues to rise within the minority population, they're having sex," Terrell said. "We say abstinence is the only way that you're going to be OK. But the fact of the matter is, we can't hide and think that they're going to stop having sex."

To appeal to youth, the condoms are named "Great Dane" and "Rottweiler" and come in shiny wrappers adorned with a cartoon dog wearing a thick gold chain.

But critics say using such "hip" methods to sell contraceptives to teens sends the wrong message.

"I think they're basically doing what all media tries to do, which is sell something, and teenagers are one of the biggest consumers" said Libby Gray, director of Project Reality (search), an abstinence-before-marriage advocacy group.

Gray said in spite of the company's intention to promote safe sex, the marketing campaign doesn't encourage teens to follow the safest lifestyle.

"I think that will make sex look very cool … especially if a rap or hip-hop person … is giving an endorsement for that behavior."

The Centers for Disease Control (search) states on its Web site that "the surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual intercourse." When used properly and consistently, condoms are 95 percent effective for pregnancy prevention but does not protect against all STDs. Consistent condom use gives almost 100 percent protection against HIV.

But more can be done, experts said, such as promoting no sex at all.

"What we need are more positive role models for kids who are promoting healthy behavior — abstinence — as the best possible way of prevention," Gray said.

However, others say it would be irresponsible to turn a blind eye to sexual activity among teenagers. According to a CDC report, in 2001, 46 percent of teens in the United States had had sex.

"For sexually active kids, making safer sex and sexual health look like a positive thing, that's all to the good," said Michael McGee, vice president of education and social marketing for Planned Parenthood (search).

"Whether we like it or not, [nearly] half of America's high school students have had intercourse and in the face of that… I'm glad that the folks from Common Ground are being creative in making the concept of personal responsibility cool."

Regardless of "hip" marketing for contraceptives, recent statistics show that teens who are having sex are doing it more safely.

A July 2000 study released by the Centers for Disease Control, for example, shows that the national pregnancy rate for adolescents aged 15 to 19 decreased from 1995 to 1997 by 7.9 percent. Adolescent pregnancy rates were higher for blacks than for whites. It was also found that the percentage of sexually active teens using condoms and long-acting hormonal contraceptive methods increased.

McGee is hopeful that appealing to youth to have safe sex will also reduce the infection rate of sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS.

"The youth culture that's into hip-hop come in all different colors, but I do think it's a very wise approach in that we know urban kids are disproportionately affected by HIV," McGee said of the Jimmie Hatz marketing. "I think taking a particular audience segment and identifying the messages that appeals to them and that resonates with them is a smart thing to do."

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I have mixed feelings about this.

Re: Sex and Teenagers: Hip Hop Condoms
 

As do I, as I read the article, I found myself agreeing somewhat with both sides of the argument. Interesting...that's about all I can say on that one!

As a coach/teacher I deal with teenagers all day. If I had a $1 for every letter, or note I have picked up mentioning having sex I would be rich. We actually had a young lady and a young man having sex in an old bathroom at school this year, this is not the first. The sad thing about that is that she came from a very good family, smart girl but thats another topic. Teenagers are having sex. Teenagers are catching diseases as well, I believe in waiting 100%, but not everybody is going to. So why not promote safe sex, why have teenagers become adult with diseases and babies and little education on how to protect their bodies?

Excellent point. Not all teenagepeople are going to be abstinent. That Pandora's Box isn't closing any time soon.
Better, IMO, to make sure they have effective birth control and disease protection.

If this gimick prevents an STD or an unwanted baby, then I'm all for it.

I don't know if this happens in other places, but in the Bay, I've seen drugstores that lock up the condoms. They claim it's b/c in some areas if you don't, then people steal them. While I am NOT advocating theft, and yes, you should be mature enough to buy condoms if you want to have sex....but let's be realistic folx. A stolen condom that gets used properly is better than one that just sits around and gets dusty.

I don't have a problem with them promoting condom use to teens because I too am very realistic and aware that teens are having sex. It's just that the whole "hip hop" angle bothers me. There are "innocent" "non hip hop" kids having sex as well.


Question: How would you feel if schools (high and middle) had condom dispensers? How would you feel if your church promoted condom use for teens?

I would love it if my church had promoted condom use - they told us that sex was bad and birth control was worse. :eek: I'm not sure I like condom dispensers in schools, but we did have them in college - we had the "Cup of Love" in our wing bathroom filled with condoms. People are going to have sex, there is no way to stop them, so at least get them the condoms.

Your are not serious are you?

About my questions? Yes. I know I know but just humor me.

I don't think that there should be condom dispensers in schools, but the students should be given a way to get condoms. My high school had a wellness center that provided gynecological exams, birth control counseling and advice, and free contraceptives to all students. I think this is a better idea than just having the condom dispensers because the school was taking a proactive stance. Honestly, there are a lot of teens (and grown folks too) that don't know how to properly use condoms. They should be taught safe sex practices before they are just given the condoms.

I also think that the church should take a proactive stance as well. I don't know if condoms are the right way to go for the church. Churches should begin to counsel the teens about the Lord and try to teach them ways to abstain. But, they should also realize that not all teens will be able to abstain and teach them safe sex practices if they decided to take that step.

Safe Sex equals

Actively engaged parenting
Teaching "children" right from wrong
Defining what is acceptable behavior for a minor child
Knowing their friends
Monitoring their associations
Making them understand their role in God's plan
Teaching self control
Teaching self discipline
Abstinence is not weird for a high school student, its not even abstinence, its just age appropriate.

What kind of church would preach anything other than the Word of God. The Devil surely has a foothold in whatever so called church dispense condoms or talks on how to engage in sexual activity for teens (safe or otherwise). Did Jesus give Mary Magdeline a primer on safe sex? Did Paul write Romans and Corithians as a Masters and Johnson tome? No!!! They spoke the truth to our lusts and uncontrolled passions. To do otherwise would be apostasy and heretical.

You liberals and social scientists must wake up!!! These problems are solved from the inside out, not the outside in. Feeding human weakness only increases it.

My children would never attend such a school or so called church.

i for one wouldnt go for it. a condom is a condom, and if u use them, ur not gonna care if its being sold in "hip hop fashion" the fact is, the couple is responsible enough to know to use them. if a couple is not using them, then hip hop condoms arent going to push the idea that much. do these special condoms come with a device that make them feel nonexistant? nope. ppl that arent using them becuase they dont like how they feel, so marketing of condoms with a hip hop edge is not gonna do all that much.

whats next? ortho tri-cyclen in designer cases, or endorsed by beyonce? how about name brrand BC patches? complete with all the new hip slang?

plz.

and my jhs had condoms available to the students... they didnt throw them into our hands, just made them known it was available. jus go by the office, and take one from the bowl. now this is weird for a group of 12-14 y/o's. except for the overly confident kids who were like "yeah i need a whole truckful" when they hadnt even had their first kiss. those were the days.

and in nyc, (from what ive seen) condoms are on shelves, not behind the counter.

This is perhaps the most non-hip, non-cool marketing gimmick I have ever heard of. Condoms for hip hop "kulture"? Misspelling words on purpose is soooo '93. Jimmie hatz? That was current slang circa House Party 2, so that's what? '91?

If any teens talk about these condoms, they'll probably be laughing at them. Kind of like those "Truth" ads for cigarettes. I don't smoke but that ad campaign is so annoying it almost makes me want to light up. Teens are wayt oo marketing savvy for this kind of stuff now.

As to the issue of promoting condom use to teens, I think it is an unfortunate necessity in these times. Doggystyle it would be nice if every kid had parents who are as involved as you, but the fact is that the baby boomer generation left their kids in the dust when they went off to "find themselves". Kids have been pretty much raising themselves with the help of the media for a while now. MOST kids don't seem to have the kind of parental influence you are talking about, CERTAINLY not the kids who need that guidance most and are most at risk for diseases like AIDS.

Without a PARENT there these kinds of marketing strategies for things like safe sex are IMPERATIVE to not spreading this disease in our community.

LMAO! that is way back. i havent heard "jimmie hat" in ages, and it since had shifted to referring to the actual jimmy hat--the one that goes on ur head, the one that sits on ur neck...

as far as the truth hats, i think its the best anti smoking ad campaign ive seen. it may not be effective to teens as much as it would like, but they take it to the streets, and it sure beats the "antidrug" campaign, with the black mother who has her son on ld cause she causght him smoking...

plz. gimme a break.

Whether parents are involved or not, is it the schools responsibilty to condone and promote sexual behavior among children. Kids smoke weed so should schools dispense top paper?
We are only creating a larger, more ingrained moral vacuum for society that is getting more irreversible everyday. It amazes me that we can push for condoms in school but as soon as someone invokes the name of God or any kind of morality on public property, people lose their minds, but yet we promote sexual behavior in minor children in the guise of "safe sex".

You cannot placate or coddle self-destructive behavior. It must be dealt with and stopped. Or does that take too much real involvement.