Dear Swedes: Please learn about safe sex. Sincerely, the rest of the world.
By Amanda Chatel — Written on Jun 29, 2012
I recently read an article by an American living in Sweden. The single woman, who'd had more than a few romps with Swedish men, noted that Swedes are not only very much against condom use, but that some of them — even adult male Swedes in their 20s and 30s — don't even know how to put one on because condom use is so rare.
It's no secret that Swedes are known not only for their promiscuity, but for being rather on the kinky side. Their flagrant aversion to condom use is leading to such a high rate of chlamydia that the country even celebrates a National Chlamydia Day as a means to educate their sexually active citizens about how to avoid the disease. Although the day has brought attention to the issue, it still hasn't stopped the warped, irresponsible perceptions of STDs and safe sex in the country. A survey of men and women between the ages of 16 and 30 even found that Swedish men saw the contraction of chlamydia as some sort of badge of manhood. I wish I were kidding.
University of Skövde researcher Kina Hammarlund discovered that "young men who contract diseases such as chlamydia or genital warts can come to view their infection as a badge of honor, rather than a serious health problem." Can we all say "gross" in unison, please? Or rather "brutto," as they say in Sweden?
I'm in no way knocking the Swedish people or their culture. My grandmother was Swedish and they make some fine food. However, their clear lack of safety when it comes to sex is really terrifying. It would be one thing if Swedes stayed in Sweden and the rest of the world never went there to frolic with their tainted lot, but that's just an impossible suggestion. So, should you find yourself in bed with a Swede, either wrap up your penis if you have one, or insist that the Swedish lad slip into some sexy latex. Because, I'll say it again, "Brutto!"
More juicy content from YourTango: