Absistence of Teen Sex Essay Example

involvement in sexual conduct beyond procreation considered blasphemous. Nonetheless, a substantial change took place with the advent of the sixties. The stigma surrounding sexuality faded and it turned into a subject open to public discourse.

The perception of sex has significantly transformed over time, evolving from being viewed as impure and unholy to a fundamental physiological necessity for humans. The media, along with Hollywood, significantly contributed to this change in mindset. However, this shift aimed at progress has unfortunately become a curse in contemporary living. Media exploited this chance for monetary gains, converting sex into a commodifiable object. The repercussions are visible in today's society where children are often exposed to sexually explicit content, inappropriate photos and videos, pornography, and so on.

The Campaign For A Commercial-Free Childhood's fact sheet, Marketing Sex To Children, reveals some staggering statistics. It shows that in 2003, a massive 82% of the most-watched TV shows targeting teens contained sexual content, out of which 20% included sexual intercourse. The situation was similar in music as well, with 42% of the top-charting CDs in 1999 having sexual content, and 19% with explicit descriptions of sexual intercourse. Besides that, on average, music videos present as many as 93 sexual scenarios per hour, containing eleven instances classified as "hard core," encompassing acts like intercourse and oral sex.

Prior to the uproar from parents, Abercrombie and Fitch promoted a series of thong lingerie embellished with sexually explicit slogans such as "Wink Wink" and "Eye Candy" aimed at 10-year-olds. Not only are teenagers influenced by TV, movies, and music, but the Internet also offers an extensive supply of sexual information and a constant stream of individuals ready to

discuss sex, all easily available with a simple click. Adolescents may find comfort in this as they can maintain anonymity while seeking sex information.

Sly sexual predators understand this and manipulate young people, enticing them into virtual relationships which then lead to in-person encounters. Activities like sexting and online sexual involvement are on the rise. In view of this continuous flow of graphic sexual content, teenagers grow insensitive to the consequences of underage sex. They become acquainted with the idea of sex at an early age, perceiving it as a key part of growing up. A large number of youths give in to teenage sex due to strong peer pressure.

Being labelled as 'uncool' is a fear that prevails among children who cross the age of twelve without losing their virginity. The prevalent societal standard often leads to them being subjected to mockery, indifference and exclusion. At this tender age, where the views of peers often overshadow their understanding of morals, ethics, and safety, youngsters give in to teenage sex to find acceptance within a group deemed as 'trendy and cool'. In these circles, an individual's popularity increases with the number of sexual partners they have had. Tales of sexual adventures often become the buzz around schools and colleges.

In order to avoid the stigma associated with being labelled as a nerd or geek, young people often engage in adolescent sexual activity. A significant contributing factor is the insufficiency of knowledge concerning the detrimental consequences of teen sex. Youth have an alarming lack of awareness about the potential danger they might face due to their susceptibility to yield to enticement. Such ignorance can be ascribed to inadequate sex

education, parental guidance absence, poor communication, and misleading information disseminated by the media. Adolescents also bear their own societal perceptions regarding acceptable sexual conduct.

Many teenage girls tend to correlate sex with love, whereas a large number of adolescents, mainly boys, perceive sex not as a deep expression of emotional attachment but rather as an informal act that carries minimal threat or serious consequences. This viewpoint is often influenced by what they witness on television. The inadequate portrayal of sexual risks like diseases and pregnancy on TV minimizes the importance of sexual responsibility. Consequently, young individuals lack knowledge about the possible negative impacts of teenage sex which could trap them in a net filled with sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.

Over the past two decades, nearly 30 million people have been identified as HIV positive, with the majority being between the ages of 15 and 24. According to data from The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one fourth of sexually active teenagers contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD) each year. Alarmingly, almost 80% of these young individuals suffering from STDs are not aware they have them, inadvertently transmitting the infections to their sexual partners.

The data on AIDS is indeed alarming, as about half (50%) of the yearly new HIV infections affect individuals under 25 years old. A significant number of adolescents become victims to sexually transmitted diseases like Herpes, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), AIDS and more. The widespread occurrence of casual sex amongst teenagers has led to catastrophic results for many. Take for example a young girl named Laurie who was urgently taken to the hospital because of severe pain

in her lower abdomen at just fifteen years old.

Initially, medical professionals believed Laurie was dealing with appendicitis. However, a surgical operation revealed a more serious ailment. She was found to have pelvic inflammatory disease - an illness possibly incited by Chlamydia or gonorrhea. The infection originated in her cervix and progressively extended to her uterus, fallopian tubes, and lastly her ovaries. A burst abscess on her right ovary enabled the infection to permeate into her abdominal cavity. Thanks to timely action by the surgeons, Laurie's life was spared but the possibility of future conception is low.

The occurrence of teenage pregnancy can be perceived as a substantial challenge that often arises from not practicing abstinence during adolescence. Becoming a parent requires deep maturity levels, which teenagers are still developing. As adolescents continue to explore life and learn, the prospect of parenthood could potentially risk their future prospects. Considering they haven't yet defined their career paths and their futures remain undefined, envisaging them capable of handling the demanding duty of raising a child appears quite unlikely.

Numerous expectant teenagers choose to terminate their pregnancies instead of seeing them to completion. Subsequently, they are often afflicted with post-abortion emotional distress, feelings of guilt, periods of depression, and severe despondency to the point that they might consider ending their lives. This is indeed a grave cost for a momentary lapse in judgment. In this context, refraining from sexual activity during adolescence is crucial. It's the only protection that can shield our youth from the inevitable physical and psychological damages that await them if they persist on this perilous trajectory.

It's imperative to inform children about the inaccuracies propagated by the "safe

sex" campaign, which incorrectly suggests that sexual activity can be completely risk-free. The notion of entirely safe sex is deceptive. While condoms can reduce the spread of STDs via bodily fluids, they are not effective against diseases such as herpes that are transmitted through skin contact. Furthermore, condoms' success rate in preventing fluid-transmitted infections is notably lower than commonly assumed. For instance, despite proper condom use, there's still a 50% chance of transmitting Gonorrhea. Contraceptive pills may avert pregnancy but fail to provide defense against any type of STD.

Advocacy for awareness on birth control, contraceptive techniques, and risks of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is a critical issue that cannot be overlooked. It's crucial to acknowledge that our sex education curriculums have not entirely met their objectives. Parents are encouraged to initiate transparent dialogues with their offspring and enlighten them about possible problems arising from premarital sex. The goal should be fostering an atmosphere where kids can freely express their sexual doubts and worries to their parents.

Underscoring the significance of imparting moral values to kids at an early age is vital, as it protects them from committing grave mistakes when swayed by their friends. It's critical to inculcate strong ethical frameworks in youngsters to stop them from succumbing to even minor temptations. Children are the foundation of our upcoming generations, necessitating both protection and guidance. Avoiding sexual activity during adolescence is a key factor for ensuring a happy, safe, and healthy future. Swift recognition and action from society are imperative to tackle this matter efficiently.