Rome defeats Milan in the challenge for safe sex. Young people from Rome are really careful, much more that their same age who live in Milan, where the rate of sexually transmitted diseases is higher. This special ranking was made by the gynaecologists of Sigo (the Italian Society of gynaecology and obstetrics), at the end of a campaign called “Scrivi la tua pillola d’amore estivo” (“Write your summer love slogan”). The initiative ended on Saturday in Milan, with an event at the Alcatraz club, the temple of night life in Milan, with Margherita Granbassi, the well-known Olympic fencing champion.

The experts’ “school report” fails young people from Milan, who experience summer affairs without worrying about consequences, even in one night stands. They occasionally use contraceptive methods, and hardly ever the double barrier, pill and condom at the same time. The result: since 2000-2001 the rate of syphilis in Milan has risen by ten times, and the one of gonorrhoea by five times. But there is also the cybersex alarm, with a worrying spread of micro-prostitution on the web. In Rome, say the specialists of the Sigo, young people are more mature and sex is experienced in a more responsible way. But not only: young girls are aware of the importance of safe contraception.

Translated by Chiara Nunnari from John Milton Institute