Condoms a New Diploma Critical Analysis

Critical Analysis In the essay “Condoms: the New Diploma”, by Rush Limbaugh published in his book The Way Things Ought To Be in 1992, Limbaugh talks about how distribution of condoms in schools can lead to teenage promiscuity and encourages sexual activity at an early age. Limbaugh’s use of Reductio ad absurdum counter attacks the opposition’s argument on condom distribution and is effective since it is hard to attack the opposition. Limbaugh attempts to refute his opposition with a reduction ad absurdum argument. He uses rhetoric example intended to demonstrate his belief that condoms distributes and promotes sexual activity. He provides his definition of gender and sex roles. He claims that sex has consequences by using “Magic Johnson” as a specific example and implies that some people will not say this. He claims that his opposition opposes teaching abstinence by using examples from the City Board of Education in New York and Jacksonville, Florida. He also claims that there is a culture war on condom distribution and that it is a part of the current situation. Limbaugh provides statistics and analogy intended to show that condoms are not effective by placing a comparison between condoms and airplanes. He wraps up this essay by using another reduction ad absurdum on sex education. The Authors purpose is to convince the reader that condom distribution in schools can lead to contracting Sexually Transmitted Disease or STD’s and encourage promiscuity. He wants the reader to understand that distribution of free condoms in public schools is ridiculous and misguided. Limbaugh uses reductio ad absurdum by saying that kids are going to have sex and that we cannot stop them. He also uses other examples such as kids are going to smoke and why not provide them with cigarettes and many more examples from guns and safe sex centers. Here Limbaugh uses this rhetorical tool to prove to the reader that by providing a free condom to the teenager can lead them to