Should I buy my teen son condoms?

Question

My son is 15.5. He's in high school, plays football (on the #1 high school team in the USA), just started dating a girl, and really seems to be coming out of his shell. He's been in private Christian schools and his high school is a private Catholic school. I've been thinking I need to buy him condoms but I don't want to put ideas into his head if they aren't already there. Hell, he's a teenage boy so I can assume the ideas are already in his head. I just don't want it to seem like I'm ENCOURAGING him to have sex.

Answer

We are going to be as open with our boys as possible when they're older. We will also keep condoms in the house. I don't want the fact that it's embarassing to buy condoms at 15 or 16 be a reason why I end up a grandmother at a young age.

Answer

Buy the condoms. Also, talk to him about sex. Teach him to always get consent. Teach him to be respectful of his partner. Teach him to be kind and let him know you'll always be there if he needs something.

Answer

I don't think any kid decides to have sex JUST because they have a condom. But I know most any of them will decide to have sex without one if they don't have it.

I personally feel like every kid should be in possession of at least one condom after puberty.

Answer

Don't worry about putting ideas in his head those were there a long time ago. That's just how pubescent minds work.

I say get him some condoms. Be open, be honest educate him. Tell him you'd rather he wait, but you want him to be safe if he cant.

Answer

Talk to him about it. You may add in that if he ever feels ready, you have some condoms for him in the drawers. Don't just hand it to him.

It doesn't matter what school he's in or gone to. I met a girl who went to a Christian school but she got pregnant at 15.

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I'd do so after giving him "the talk". 
At nearly 16 I'm p sure he's already got those thoughts, might as well facilitate safety. It's going to happen regarless...

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Buy them. Give them to him. Better safe then sorry.

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The ideas are probably already there if he has a girlfriend. When I was in middle school kids used to talk about sex all the time and things have only gotten even more accelerated. As a freshman in high school, a lot of kids start making moves. Usually, aren't responsible enough to not do it if they don't have a condom. They don't think that stds or pregnancy will happen to them ( because they're so naive and it's like a myth because they've only heard about them ). So I say sit down and have a chat. Don't necessarily force him into telling you anything ( then he'll lie and refuse to take the condoms ) but just let him know that if he decides to do it, they're available.

Answer

He will more than likely be too embarrassed to buy them himself if the need would arise.

Answer

You should have a conversation with him, and let him know that *he* should be buying the condoms. They are his responsibility! At 15, he should already know this, even if he isn't having sex.