US Teens, Young Adults ‘Doing It’ Less, Study Says
That’s good news. When I was a sub, I saw the results of teens “doing it.” I subbed for an 8th grade class. One of the gals showed me a picture. “That’s my baby,” she said. She blew kisses at the picture. The baby looked about a year old. Keep in mind that 8th grade girls are around 13 years old. In a freshman (~ 14 y/o) English class, I gave detention to a girl who was talking too much. “Oh hell no. I have to pick up my baby” was her response. What do you say to that? Nothing. She has to pick up her baby.
When I read the article, my first question was “why?” Theories are probably more abundant than the number of teens and young adults doing it. Some say it’s the awareness of STDs. Others say the abstinence education is working. One of the theories is that they’re just too busy – school, homework, sports, hobbies, volunteer work. Sounds like an adult reason not to have sex.
My personal belief is that education caused the drop. The article cites comprehensive sexual education, which includes abstinence as well as contraception and safer sex practices. I think TV shows may have played a role. 16 and Pregnant and Teen Moms are very popular reality shows on MTV. There was even a special on abortion, No Easy Decision . I’ve caught some of the shows. They don’t sugar coat the impact of pregnancy on the lives of both the girl the boy. If I were a teen, some of the episodes would make me think twice about having a baby at all.
I believe abstinence-only education is unrealistic. On a biological level, sex is a strong, basic drive – propogation of the species. The desire is difficult to ignore because it’s natural. Keep your legs closed and Keep your pants on is not enough.
This would be my sex education spiel:
Sex is a big deal, with real consequences, both physical and emotional. Waiting would be the best because you don’t know if you can handle it. What if you do it with your boyfriend or girlfriend and then they dump you? Or it just doesn’t work out. It can be devastating because there is an emotional connection. You can avoid it by not “going there.”
If you do not wait, you might not be able to avoid the possible emotional consequences, but you can avoid the physical consequences. You don’t want to get pregnant or get an STD. Condoms, birth control pills. Being responsible is the key.
And you know, you don’t have to deal with all that by keeping your legs closed/keeping your pants on. 🙂
Spinny Liberal 
March 4th, 2011 at 4:10 AM
You know, spinny – if you do talk to your teen about sex and ways to prevent them from becoming pregnant, they’re just going to be enticed to go out and experiment. Say nothing and hope other forces will guide them down the path of righteousness. 😉
March 4th, 2011 at 8:06 AM
Keep hope alive. 🙂
March 4th, 2011 at 5:27 AM
If sex is a strong basic drive, and if you don’t think it can be stopped, then do you believe that no man can be faithful? It’s all about spreading the seed, right?
March 4th, 2011 at 8:07 AM
I didn’t say that it can be stopped. I said that that it is difficult to ignore.
March 4th, 2011 at 6:58 AM
Doing it less? Apparently No study was done in my state or it was left out….for about 50% (may be a slight exaggeration on my part) of the teens I see in stores and Malls are pregnant……I would say that study was tweak to show what the pollsters wanted it to say…..
March 4th, 2011 at 8:18 AM
Quite possibly. I don’t know, but reading it made me feel good for a minute or two. 😉
March 4th, 2011 at 10:26 AM
I’ve seen studies which prove that abstinence-only education works, but then I’ve also seen studies which show that sex education which INCLUDE abstinence works just as well. It’s hard to say.
Regardless, they didn’t hand out condoms in my school until I was a senior and there wasn’t that many pregnant chics.
March 4th, 2011 at 11:09 PM
Say nothing? Was that a serious comment or meant to be ironic? As a teacher (OK, granted I’m not a sex ed teacher) I’ve seen how powerful it can be for a kid to have an adult who sincerely cares and expresses true concern for them. I know that caring adults can make a difference in the life of a young person. Ignoring and avoiding conversation with those young people are not solutions to anything.
March 5th, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Don’t bother. You’re talking to an extreme Left-winger; like, Pluto Left.