Mark Titus, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Fourteen-year-old Shelly (not her real name), lives in one of the volatile communities in St. James. She attends one of western Jamaica's traditional high schools. And while her grades are far from impressive, she still dreams of becoming a lawyer.

Shelly started having sexual intercourse after her 12th birthday, but has never done so with a male using a condom. Her mother has never discussed the issue of sex with her.

"The only time there was any discussion about that (sex), is when she told me that if I am doing it, I should use protection (condom), because she is too young to be a granny," the teenager tells The Gleaner. "My mother is only 27 years old, so I know that she got pregnant in school, and I really cannot look at her and admit that I am sexually active. Even if she suspects, she has not said anything."

No fuss

Shelly adds: "I never thought of it this way (to ensure that she protect herself), until now, because it is the natural thing for even my school friends to do. But even if I wanted to, my boyfriend doesn't like using it. He says that when you love your man and trust him, you don't have to fuss about 'boots'.

"It's the way of life in the ghetto," she remarks defensively, "... and we don't have any money to move (relocate from the community). My boyfriend is a bit older than me, but as long as my mother and little brother are all right, it's okay."

Following a lengthy discussion with a social worker, who accompanied The Gleaner team to the interview, Shelly and a male cousin in her age group agreed to participate in a fact-finding exercise. We went in search of condoms.

Our first visit was to the Type B health centre in Montego Bay, where an employee looked at her unbeliievingly, before reminding her of the age of consent. He then called a colleague and they began laughing while pointing in Shelly's direction.

After visiting two gas stations and four pharmacies, a frustrated Shelly proceeded to one of the Second City's more popular pharmacies. This time, her request caused everyone to look at her, while the cashier placed a pack on the counter and began to collect.

Trouble

"What you doing with that, child?" asked an elderly female customer, who then turned to the cashier and said, "mind you get in trouble to sell little pickney those things."

An embarrassed Shelly left and her cousin immediately stepped in. "One pack a rubbers, please," he said, as those who stood by laughed, seemingly listening to hear what the elderly woman would say. She looked at the young man but said nothing, while the cashier handed him his purchase.

He also received a positive response when he visited the health centre. Five minutes after entering the facility, he returned with two packs, which contained about six condoms each.