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If two words could be used to create a billboard that reflects life today, they might read as simply as this: "Sex Sells."
But before buying into the advertisement, a consumer might want to consider making a small investment that could pay huge dividends.
A condom.
Condoms have been in existence for the past 3,000 years and have undergone quite the transformation from their initial incarnation to their current state. The oldest illustration of a condom was found in Egypt, although it was hard to judge whether it was worn for sexual or ritual reasons.
There is much debate over where the actual name "condom" came from. Many historians believe condoms were named after a "Dr. Condom," who supplied King Charles II with sheaths made of animal tissue to keep him from fathering illegitimate children and contracting disease.
Others theorize that the name is a derivative of the Latin word "condon," which means "receptacle."
The condom that we have grown familiar with was initially introduced and massed produced in 1844, after the galvanization of rubber by Charles Goodyear. Since their inception, rubber condoms have undergone many changes.
Today, condoms can be found in many different variations and are used for different reasons. Condoms are available in different shapes, widths, lengths, and flavors.
Many available condoms also offer such amenities as lubrication, flavor, climax control, and spermicide.
There are also lambskin and polyurethane condoms available for those with allergies or other aversions to latex.
Among the more popular brands of condoms on the market today are Trojan, LifeStyles, Durex, PleasurePlus, Beyond Seven, and NaturaLamb.
Although condoms can be found at local supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience store, gas stations, bars, and nightclubs, it can be argued that education for condom usage, as well as other forms of contraception, is not as readily available as it should be.
According to the Center for Disease Control, aside from abstinence, a condom is the single most effective use of protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases when used correctly and consistently.
In a study released by the New England Journal of Medicine, of 123 reported couples where one partner was infected with HIV and the other was not, none of the uninfected partners contracted the virus when they used condoms consistently.
Among 122 reported couples who used condoms inconsistently, 12 of the uninfected partners became infected.
Although education may, arguably, not be what some might think that it should be, there are those who get the point that condoms are an effective and responsible method of birth control and disease prevention.
"I'm not financially ready for kids," said Psychology major Chave' Rodriguez. "And there are too many STD's out there...so condoms are a must."
Business major Vincent Ward furthered that thought when he said, "I use condoms because I want to be safe. I love my life."
Although the message seems to be getting across, there is concern that not everybody is getting it.
"I think over 50 percent of people have sex without a condom," theorizes Tremaine White, a Business major. "But if a woman wants to have sex with me without a condom, I'm straight...if she would let me, she might let anybody. I can't trust that."
Rodriguez added. "They say they use condoms...but then fall in love, or something, and stop using them. That is not an option."
Condoms are available to students at the Student Health Services office, along with information on sexually transmitted diseases, abstinence, proper condom usage and tips on how to decrease your risk of getting pregnant and/or contracting diseases.
"People should use them," said Pre-Law major Charles Cobb V. "There are too many people out there with diseases and you just have to be careful."
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