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Teenagers
In a scene from the most recent Twilight movie, Bella tries to convince Edward that she wants him and wants to take the next step in their relationship by having sex. While Edward makes it clear that he definitely wants her back, he tells her that in his time, there would be a whole process before any of this could take place. He would have wooed her, they’d hold hands, he’d get permission from her father to marry her, they’d get married, then they’d do the deed. Bella informs him that it’s now her day in age, and that’s definitely not the way it works. Who knew that Twilight would have such a brilliant metaphor for why abstinence-only education doesn’t work?
The problem with abstinence-only education is not so much that it wants teenagers to prolong sexual activity until they are married, but more that it’s completely out of touch with today’s modern teenager. Suporters of ab-only education seem to believe that sex should only occur during marriage, and anything outside of that concept is morally wrong. They suggest that comprehensive sex education that teaches students about condoms and other forms of contraception is what causes teenagers to engage in sexual behavior. As if saying, well if kids don’t learn about condoms and contraception from their sex-ed teacher at school, then they will magically never be curious about sex or have any idea what it is. Apparently, they’ve never turned on their TV.
The simple truth is, teenagers are exposed to sex on a regular basis, whether their parents want to accept it or not. It’s on TV. It’s in music videos and song lyrics. It’s in magazines and print ads for their favorite clothing store. And on that little thing called the internet. Sex is a part of our society and our culture, plain and simple. Sexuality is part of the human condition. And it’s complicated. (more…)
Dear Mr. Stupak, Do You Trust Women? – RH Reality Check
The Democrats’ Own Trojan Horse – RH Reality Check
NARAL Delivers Over 97,000 Signatures to Harry Reid – RH Reality Check
Teenage Girls Bear the Burden of STD Transmission – Florida Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates
Will the Senate Stand Against Stupak? – The Nation
Insurance Execs Confirm Stupak Amendment Will Kill Abortion Coverage – RH Reality Check
Parents are outraged at this trend, of course. They should be. The Internet's memory is infinite, and text messages are easy to forward. So why are thirteen year olds taking naked pictures of themselves? Teens are not stupid. They know that these phone photos will be forwarded and likely end up on the Internet. I am willing to bet many of these young people do it hoping most of the school will see it. Teens know that nudity is a type of capital. They see failing musicians pose for Playboy and then hear their music on the radio. Or they watch Tila Tequila, a woman with little talent and few clothes, get a television show. Popularity and being a known as "sexy" in high school is the equivalent of an MTV show, and one photo can be all it takes to become "someone" in high school. Everyone at my school knew about the girl whose photo was forwarded. Some boys even put the picture up in their locker, next to Pam Anderson or Adriana Lima.
This trend is going to continue because the reason kids "sext" is not going anywhere. When students value popularity and a label above anything else, they will do anything to get it. The consequences, like the permanence of the Internet, don't matter. We need to give these girls something more to strive for.
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