Girl THOUGHTS...

“The campaign’s an attempt to be funny that has failed.”
When the Department of Health (DoH) discussed the campaign’s style, key research showed that young men, especially, respond to humour. That’s why they chose a ‘funny’ media concept.

Steph replies: “Well perhaps there should have been a different style aimed at girls than at guys. I do quite like the one-armed bandit idea where you choose from 25 jackpots which STI you can get. There’s good info if you search for it. You do learn from it.”
Perhaps there is a divide between what works for boys and what works for girls. Girls confide in their friends, boys compete with theirs. Or is that too simplistic?
Most of the girls we spoke to showed an informed maturity in their opinions and understanding of the

issues, but this wasn’t always backed up when they talked about their personal actions. Talking sex is one thing, doing it and dealing with the emotional consequences, another altogether.
The condom controversy
The issue of condom use caused the most debate among the girls we spoke to. Both Steph and Zoe say they believe ‘in theory’ that girls should be able to carry condoms on them but both admit that in practice they would be embarrassed to do so themselves. Zoe says: “Girls carrying condoms is still frowned on, however much people says it’s OK. I wouldn’t do it.”
Jo, also at the Respect project, recalls how her friend in year nine (13-14 year olds) used to have condoms in her bag and was called “slutty” because of it. “I thought she was just being responsible, but there is pressure, particularly on younger girls,” Jo adds.
Another group we spoke to are The Ruby girls (Ruby stands for ‘R U Being Yourself’). These Welsh valley girls are working with FPA Cymru (Family Planning Association Wales).
They were outspoken about the condom issue feeling that, on the whole, boys don’t like to use them because it ‘ruins sex’.

Jodie, 14, says: “It’s easier for boys to buy condoms because it’s less shaming for them to go