University packing lists including condoms: is this now standard advice?

[Maybeshesbornwithitmaybeitssertraline]

My ds2 has got his essential packing list for university, including condoms. I know, better to do it safely than not but really?

When I was 18 you only needed condoms if you were in a long term relationship. Is it so different these days?

I'll admit that I'm struggling with the idea that my 18 year old us old enough to go to university so the idea of him needing condoms as well is a bit out of my comfort zone.

I didn’t go to University because I was pregnant.
My DC have known about the importance of safe sex since well before University age.

When you were 18 condoms were only needed if you were in a long term relationship? Really?
How old are you out of interest?

OP has not returned.

If it was true she'd have to be at least 100 although those wartime GIs certainly got around.

The only thing that would concern me about this is the fact that it’s on a list like they are definitely needed.

A lot of 18yo these days are still virgins and they may feel pressured into having sex sooner than they had planned if they think everyone else is doing.

I would have thought it would be better to not put them on the ‘essentials’ list and instead just have them available for free when they get there.

It sounds like despite him being 18 you haven’t spoken with him about sex. You need to talk with him about sex and more importantly consent.

How dare young people aged 18 even consider using condoms with a partner unless they're in a long term relationship.

As a male who went to university 2019-2022 and a 2022-2023 master's I didn't have sex and still haven't. I had a singular snog with a woman in first year in a club (which I loved) and then a snog with a man in my master's year (which I absolutely hated).

I've been having what I call the 2C conversation with my ds since he hit puberty. Consent and contraception. So I think it's great the university put that in.

I'd be happy if I found condoms in my nearly 18yo sons stuff, he's never ever spoken to a girl. Funny old game.

I went to university 35 years ago and I.got given about 10 packets of condoms from different sources during Freshers' Week. The 'wear a condom' message was everywhere in those days, primarily driven by HIV fear.

There were radio adverts in programmes popular with teenagers like the Network Chart Show (top 40) urging condom use. There was one encouraging you to take condoms on holiday with you that included how to ask for condoms in about 10 different languages (the message being it's much easier to take them with you) which I taped off the radio as I thought it might one day be useful to know how to ask for condoms in assorted languages.

How old are you? I was sent away to university with condoms many years ago. Teenagers have been having sex outside of relationships forever.

Is this a serious question ?

I started uni in 2005 and condoms were on the list then. This is not new and I knew a lot of boys who carried condoms in their wallets in sixth form.

Hilarious!!

I'm either old enough for there not to have been packing lists when I went to university or so old I've forgotten I had a packing list.

Though i do know back in my day the recommendation was to use condoms - and even more so outside of long term relationships. No difference to today. Only difference i seem to remember is the wrapper was rectangular rather than square - though maybe thats a false memory!!

When I went to uni in 1988 they would give out condoms at practically every event. Didn't want us dying of ignorance

(cross-posted with AbacusCat who is of the same vintage)

There was a joke going round in those days: small child 1 "daddy found a condom on the patio" small child 2 "what's a patio"

It really is a case of you had to be there 😁

What do you want him to use? A crisp bag?

Hmm, first time poster who hasn't come back. Possibly just looking for anecdotes of wild teenage shagging.

Women don’t need lube as standard!

🤣🤣🤣 are you kidding?! Make sure they take socks to cover up their ankles - what a turn on

I'm 42 and started having sex at 15.

Its nothing new.

The replies in this thread make me feel like such a weirdo. It literally never crossed my mind that I’d have sex at uni. I remember getting given condoms At freshers and asking my flatmate if she wanted them. He might
as well take some just in case, these no downside.

I am in my 60s and had an extremely sheltered upbringing.

I made sure DS knew about condoms and where to get them, etc, as soon as he started expressing an interest in girls age 14. We also had conversations about what it would mean for a teenage girl if she became pregnant, and what it would mean for him. And so on.

Many do, and should.