I am a high school counsellor in the United States and think there is absolutely nothing wrong with the 'pinch, inch and roll' method described in Devon Dick's column of May 14. While I'm not totally familiar with the programmes mentioned in the article, I am completely too familiar with my students, ages 14-18, coming to my office after having had unprotected sex.

Weak moment

Many of these boys and girls live in poverty, their neighbourhood has a heavily influenced gang element to it and their families are splintered beyond repair as they survive at, or below the poverty level. As my female students, and male students too, reach out to their peers and engage in unprotected sex for a moment of feeling loved (their words over and over again, not mine), I wished they had the common sense to "stop, pinch, inch and roll".

At some point, our youth, regardless of the city, state or country they live in, must realise their actions and the fact that consequences occur, usually in the form of a child. Which teenager can sufficiently raise a child and earn his/her high school diploma, much less continue on to higher education so my tax dollars don't have to continue to support them and their ever increasing families because they don't 'pinch, inch and roll'?

Yes, the method may seem mechanical and unromantic. However, are sexually transmitted infections, abortions and unwanted pregnancies anymore romantic? None of that is and it is my hope that all people, regardless of age, who are dating, will utilise pre-coital testing and the pinch, inch and roll technique. There is much sense to that which is tried and true; romance can happen in other ways, just not during times of protection.

I am, etc.,

KATE JHAGROO

jhagroo@aol.com