Teenage sex - You should or you shouldn't?
Teenage sex:You should or you shouldn't? Teenage sex has always been controversial. No one denies the moral dilemma that is involved with teens engaging in sexual activity; however, if we were to turn our backs on it now, the problem would only escalate. The statistics involving teenage sex are staggering. Sex is increasing at younger ages. In 1993, as many as ten billion teenagers engaged in at least 125 million acts of sexual intercourse. Ten percent of all fifteen-nineteen year old females become pregnant each year. In today's society, teenage girls get sexually involved. Before the age of twenty, teens have sex. More than half teenagers are virgins until they are at least seventeen years of age. By the twenties is the time teens reach their twenty percent of boys and twenty-four percent of girls that have not had a sexual intercourse. Only 6.9 percent of men and twenty-one percent of women aged eighteen to fifty-nine had their first intercourse on their wedding night. Many teenagers begin having intercourse in their mid-to-late teens, about eight years before they marry. Among sexually active fifteen to seventeen years old women, fifty-five percent have had two or more partners and thirteen percent have at least six partners. Seven in ten women who had sex before age fourteen and six in ten of those who had sex before age fifteen reported having had sex involuntarily. Every ten seconds, a teenager becomes sexually active for the first time. If two people have unprotected sex long enough, they have an extremely high percentage of becoming pregnant (Brain, 1). Ten percent of all fifteen-nineteen year old females become pregnant each year. Pregnancies tend to be unprepared. More than eighty percent of girls under age of seventeen who give birth and keep their babies end up on welfare, which costs the society twenty-one billion dollars a year. Every thirty seconds, a baby is born into poverty. Every twenty-six seconds, a baby is born to an unmarried mother. One million pregnancies resulting in over 400,000 abortions, 130,000 miscarriages, and nearly half a million live births. Every year, more than a million teenage girls, an average of more than three thousand a day, become pregnant; of these, sixty five to seventy percent are not married. By comparison, only about fifteen percent of adolescent women who become pregnant in 1960 were not wed. There are wanted and unwanted pregnancies. Today, between seven and ten percent of pregnant teens have miscarriages that terminate their pregnancies, about forty to forty-five percent terminate their pregnancies by having abortions, and about fifty percent go full term and have their babies (Nardo, 23). Childbearing is one of the results of teenage sex. Seventy-eight percent of births to teens occur outside of marriage. One-fourth of teenage mothers have a second child within two years of their first child. Seventy-eight percent of teen pregnancies are unplanned. Contraceptive method vary most frequently used contraceptive at forty-four percent is the pill, thirty-eight percent use condoms, and about ten percent on injectable, four percent on
withdrawal and three percent initialize on implant (Teen Sex & Pregnancy, 2). There are numerous amounts of people who get pregnant during teenage years and they do not succeed, they end up living on welfare. Is welfare the only solution for young teenage mothers and their children? Another serious down side to having sex is the possibility of contracting sexually transmitted disease (STD). Again, statistics are stunning: more than three million teenagers contracted STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia (Nardo, 13). Forty-three percent of sexually active college women get HIV infection within a three-year period. Three million new cases of ...
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withdrawal and three percent initialize on implant (Teen Sex & Pregnancy, 2). There are numerous amounts of people who get pregnant during teenage years and they do not succeed, they end up living on welfare. Is welfare the only solution for young teenage mothers and their children? Another serious down side to having sex is the possibility of contracting sexually transmitted disease (STD). Again, statistics are stunning: more than three million teenagers contracted STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia (Nardo, 13). Forty-three percent of sexually active college women get HIV infection within a three-year period. Three million new cases of STDs among teens are reported each year. Up to twenty-nine percent of sexually active girls have been found to be infected with Chlamydia (Safe Sex, 1-2). If sex has many negative affects, then why do people keep on doing it? Many teens like the feeling of pleasure. Many teens start experimenting sexually at the age of thirteen to sixteen. Seventy-three percent of all teens say that they engage in sex because of social pressure. Peer pressure is another major influence on beginning sex in teen years. People may be talking or thinking about sex and teens feel afraid to be different. Society influences our feelings about sex. There are different five different influences; families, friends, the media, religions, and teens' own needs. The family background affects most of it. Young girls who begin having sex during their teenage years may be affected by their father's role. For instance, maybe their fathers did not give them enough love or attention so they have sex, expecting a guy who would love them ending up getting used. A lot of young girls think that boys will give them love. They end up getting hurt then move on to another guy, looking for the attention they seek. This craving love and attention can cause them to become addicted to sex. Psychological research indicates that some girls and boys may have no father in their life and is a major influence in their life style choices. Teenagers who are raised without a father figure may not have a father role, and the father is not around them to discipline them or love them. Young adults whose parents have divorced, maybe change by this. They may not understand love because the role model for enduring relationships is not in their homes. If one of the parents remarries, and spends less time with the kids, the teens will feel distant from their parents who remarry. Therefore, their roles to children are very important. Some of young girls and boys abstain from sex because of their parents' strong influence and communication. The parents teach their children not to have an intercourse because of all the possible consequences, especially STD's and pregnancies. Parents need to make sure that their job is to ask their children: where, when, and who when they go out with friends. The kids will feel that their parents trust them with proper judgment. The parents need to keep on talking to them about abstaining from sex until marriage. They need to be involved with their children's lives and make them feel comfortable with good information to make informed decisions. The key is an open communication. The parents’ role in maintaining clear and open communication is important. (Myers p.1). Talking about sex issues openly encourages responsibility (D. Gershaw Myth/Facts Pg. 2). Less information about sex given leads to irresponsible sex. (Gershaw). Parents who are overprotective may not give helpful messages. Teens feel like they need to tune out their advice entirely. If the parents seem to trust their children's judgment and want them to take care of themselves, the student senses the trust and is encouraged to make mature decisions. Their parents are very important in the lives of their children. Friends are also very important during the teen years. Boys tend to have the attitude of getting the girl and becoming the "man." Girls may be encouraged to go ahead or be warned to stop, depending on their particular crowd. Girls get concerned about their reputation. By senior year, girls may be talking about sexual experiences, and the people who have not experienced sex feel left out. Pleasure to be part of the crowd may push teens into engaging in early sex. The media plays a large part of the influence to openly accept sex. Beginning in the 60’s, there were graphic images, magazines, lyrics in songs, television commercials and advertisements, television Soap Operas, and movies that constantly exposed the public to the world of sex (Nardo, 13-15). Teens get many sexy images in their head that may influence their decision. If their love life is not dazzling, then something is wrong with their body. Sex for teenagers increased because of openness about sex, and sex-related topics. Religious attitudes and beliefs also have influences on teens today. Many religions believe that sex outside of marriage is sinful. Religious directives especially influence teens. Unfortunately, not all teens listen to religious voices. Religion also helps us see and value the importance of love between two people. Teens' own feelings and needs are important. If they find themselves listening to only other voices in making decisions about sex, they should try to assess all information and make their own decisions. Needs are often contradictory, and it may confuse teens. It is important to figure out what they want to do. Their needs may say, "I am horny and I need some sex" or "I am lonely, I need some affection" or "I love this person and want to express it sexually" or "I am feeling uncertain and pressured and I need to wait" or "I'm freaked out about getting AIDS" or "I am feeling worried about birth control." Teens would also have to consider the needs of others. When teens use stimulants, (alcohol or drugs) they may get involved sexually with someone. Stimulates impair an individuals decision making ability. The teens have sex due to social, personal, and emotional reasons, ranging from being in love to curiosity to peer pressure. Having personal feelings of being “ready” to have sex is cited by fully half the teens. Teens' view having sex before marriage as socially acceptable today but compared to back then in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, a majority believed premarital sex was socially unacceptable. There are ways to avoid sex. Getting involved with a lot of activities such as sports, dance, photography, mathematics, cars, writing, or work, directs teens to more positive activities. If someone does not want to have sex but wants some pleasure, then 'outercourse' is always an option. Outercourse is sex without actual intercourse. However, outercourse takes some discipline. Both partners must be committed to that method. It works better if there is communication about using that method. One partner may really want to have intercourse, which might cause stress. Outercourse requires no supplies and it is free. It is fun and there is no worry about pregnancy. There is no exchange of fluids, so it provides protection against infection. There are no medical complications with outercourse. It can increase emotional closeness between individuals. However, there are several disadvantages. Oral sex can spread some infections (Emory, 1). To help teens deal with the dilemma of sexual activity, several organizations offer support and education. One agency available in most large cities is Planned Parenthood. Other professionals teens can see are psychiatrists, a psychologists, social workers or ministers. Finding the right therapist can seem confusing as the problems get you into counseling. All the therapists have different roles. A psychiatrist is not only a therapist, but also a medical doctor. That person can provide medication for you if your problem requires the use of it. The licensed psychiatrist has gone through medical school and earned a state medical license. They completed three additional years in residency, for a total of four years of graduate work after medical school (Simpson, 105). A psychologist is also a doctor, but cannot prescribe medicine. Usually a psychologist would have PhD (doctorate in psychology) or an EdD (doctorate in education and counseling). They have four to five years of college at the graduate level. To be license, he or she must have had an additional two years of supervised counseling experience. Just like psychiatrists, they can belong to organizations that will monitor their behavior. A psychologist can administer tests and has the knowledge to interpret your strength and weakness and use results. They are usually expensive unless seen at a clinic. Social workers are primary providers of mental health treatment; they do more counseling than a psychologist or psychiatrist. To be licensed, they must have masters in social work and have completed two years of post-graduate study and two years of supervised practice. Social workers, just like psychologists and psychiatrists, can be seen in private practice or in clinics for reduced fees. Because fees vary, selection for professional help sometimes hinges on money issues (Simpson, 106). Various issues can be discussed with therapists but there might be times when people are referred to another professional for better assistance. Therapy can be hard work but they are there to listen. Things cannot be solved in one session. Young people have a tendency to give up when sessions become painful (Simpson, 108). If help is needed, then it is not only a therapist that helps. There are ministers who may not have postgraduate training but they are trained in counseling. They are often labeled as counselors though they not hold certificates. Some of these people may be helpful. (Simpson, 106). It would be best to find a comprehensive mental health clinic that offers a variety of services and ask for an appointment to assess the best professional for the individual. Teen couples should keep the benefits of abstinence in mind. Abstinence will promote more self-respect and more respect for each other. Additionally, self-esteem is increased because the couple knows they are not being pursed for sexual reasons. This also fosters a greater chance of faithfulness in marriage, and it develops trust in your partner’s ability to control him/herself with other people. Abstinence helps to develop more depth in relationships. There will be fewer worries regarding pregnancy, birth control, STDs, emotional betrayals, and the other problems that can result from uninformed intimacy at young ages. Another benefit of abstinence is peace of mind and joy in the knowledge that you are in control of this area of your life. Studies indicate there may be better sex with maturity and protection. Although premarital abstinence does not guarantee a great sex life, it certainly can start things off without baggage from past relationships. Promiscuity with multiple partners may also damage a person emotionally. This is directly related to the number of partners and the emotional bond of the relationship at the time. Many people need to work on reconnecting their sex life to their emotions once they are in a marriage relationship. Statistically, it has been proven that marriages between people who have practiced abstinence have a lower divorce rates, therefore resulting in a stronger marriage. In conclusion, teenage sex seems to be more easily accepted at younger and younger ages. . According to the statistics, fewer teenagers in the 40’s through 60’s engaged in sexual activity before marriage than from the mid 60‘s to now. The major cause or influence for these rising statistics seems to be the media. Teens are not only exposed to sex and sexual innuendo, but advertisements directly target the teen population. From television programs, such as "Sex and the City," to movies, such as "American Pie," to advertisements, such as Ralph Lauren and teens embrassing with jeans barely covering either sex, the media constantly visually bombards the teen audience with the common place acceptance of sex everywhere. Although there are several agencies and professionals and sex education is often presented in most school curriculiums, teens are not paying attention to and responding to advice on abstinence. Teens are also not taking advantage of statistical proof they must use protection to avoid STD, HIV, or pregnancy. Alternatives to abstinence, such as outercourse, are also likely ignored. Teens today are faced with the same question as their previous generations: to engage in sexual activity at a young age or postpone their major life choice until a more mature age. At least the teens today have the option of open discussion, thorough information, consequences of early sex, and professoinal help to make this important decision.
