Re:  Frederick J. Kurtz’s letter to the editor in your June 14-27 issue regarding free condom distribution.

It is an unfortunate fact of life that we no longer live in innocent times. With cable TV, computer porn, and R-rated movies, very little is left to the imagination, and young people, who seem to get younger and younger, are more influenced than ever by what they see, especially teens with raging hormones who are more likely to want to "test the waters."

Some young people who may actually want to use protection may be reluctant to visit a doctor or a pharmacy or may not have funds for a purchase. It’s easier for them to accept free condoms from a stranger who won’t judge them.

Of course we don’t want our young sons and daughters to have sexual relations. We don’t want unwanted pregnancies and out-of-wedlock births, but if couples decide to "play house," isn’t it better that they use protection? Protection can help prevent babies and sexually transmitted diseases. Ideally, parents may want their kids to abstain, but if that doesn’t happen, using protection is the smart thing to do.

Some parents think it’s not their kid who will sleep around, and may avoid discussions on the subject. Some kids think that getting pregnant won’t happen to them, and think using protection isn’t even necessary. But both ways of thinking is like playing Russian roulette. Chancy.

The distribution of the free MTA condoms is not a sign that "hooking up" is condoned, but rather a pragmatic approach to probable behavior. Mr. Kurtz mentions teenage pregnancies and a high percentage of out-of-wedlock births, and it is for this very reason that the distribution of condoms is helpful since using them should definitely cut back on these problems.

As for the mayor distributing condoms in Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, this is something he shouldn’t do, especially since Orthodox Jews do not use protection. They believe that having children is a blessing, and besides, their religion dictates that couples should wait until they’re married. The same is true for Catholics.

It is probably just because most Norwood residents comprise an international mix, that the mayor may have selected this area and others like it for free condom distribution. As for those families who raise their children in the ways of the old country, it’s great if their offspring follow those conservative traditions, but for those youngsters who become totally Americanized, i.e., not waiting until after they’re married, isn’t it better that they have the opportunity to use protection, and thus improve their chances of avoiding unwanted births and STDs?

Judy Noy
Norwood