Cabbies hand out condoms

[chadtm80]

Reports On Teen Sex May Surprise Parents
Study: Boys Experience More Peer Pressure Than Girls
Posted: 11:47 a.m. EDT May 20, 2003

New studies on teens and sex show many kids are sexually active -- and many of their parents are unaware.


The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy reports about one in five teens report having sex before their 15th birthday, and one in seven sexually active 14-year-old girls report having been pregnant.
The survey also says only about one-third of parents of sexually active 14-year-olds know their child has had sex. The majority of parents say they have spoken to their kids about sex, but far fewer teens report that such conversations actually took place.

The seven-chapter report included data from three nationally representative samples, studied by seven teams of investigators.

"For many young people, sex doesn't wait," said Sarah Brown, director of the organization. "This report makes clear that sex and dating are important issues for middle-school age youth that cannot be ignored. Parents, in particular, should be concerned about the dangers of early dating."

And early dating is common, according to the report. About half of those 12- to 14-year-olds reported having been on a date or having a romantic relationship in the past 18 months. About a one-fourth of these relationships are with someone two or more years older.

Young teens also reported having the opportunity to have sex. One-third of 12-year-olds and about half of 14-year-olds have been at a party without any adults in the house.

But peer pressure has much to do with the decision to have sex. Many young adolescents described sex as relatively "unwanted" -- that is, while the experience was voluntary on their part, they did not want to have sex when they did.

Another new report on teen sex from the Kaiser Family Foundation found tthat boys feel more peer pressure than girls to have sex, and boys are more likely to dismiss that there's any good reason to wait.

A survey of teenagers finds that one in three teenage boys experiences peer pressure to have sex. That compares with 23 percent of girls. The study found that boys are usually pressured by their male friends.

This contrasts with the typical portrait of boys pressuring girls.

Also, a majority of teens say waiting for sex is a nice idea, but they do not believe anyone really does it.

The survey also reports that about one in six young people say that occasionally having sex without a condom is not a big deal. And one in five say they have had unprotected sex after drinking or using drugs.

Both studies cite a close link between drugs and alcohol and sexual activity in teens.

[j]

I don't understand why every time this subject is brought up, you throw in "shouldn't the man be responsible for his actions too?"

Yes..he most certainly should.

I suspect by your remark "better to be prepared, than to visit the clinic", you are referring to an abortion clinic?? If I'm wrong, forgive me, if I'm right...well never mind.

on 2nd thought....I'm just amazed that the first thought that came into your head, about what to do about the situation....was a visit to the "clinic"!

[southerngale]

It's going to happen no matter what j. Wouldn't it be better to "be prepared" than to visit the clinic? Or is it that the man shouldn't be responsible for his actions, only the woman?

First of all, I thought we were talking about young people (kids - teenagers) not grown men and women, so that's what I'm addressing.

Stephanie, we've had our share of disagreements and even quite a few agreements.
I prefer the latter, but I think passing out condoms to young people is a bad idea.

You say it's going to happen no matter what. I've heard that over and over and yes, I do agree. It is going to happen no matter what. So is crime.

Using that same logic, since we know crime is going to happen anyway, should we just pass out guns? It would make it easier for the criminals...they're going to commit crimes anyway. Plus, it would prevent obtaining guns illegally (through other criminals or burglaries). We might actually be protecting a family from the criminal who would break in to steal their guns.

We can't stop crime so why fight it??

[Stephanie]

I don't understand why every time this subject is brought up, you throw in "shouldn't the man be responsible for his actions too?"

Yes..he most certainly should.

I suspect by your remark "better to be prepared, than to visit the clinic", you are referring to an abortion clinic?? If I'm wrong, forgive me, if I'm right...well never mind.

That's exactly what I meant, an abortion clinic. That's why I really don't understand the problem with the condoms.

Yes, BOTH sexes should be responsible for their actions.

Thanks Chad for the article.

[j]

It's going to happen no matter what j. Wouldn't it be better to "be prepared" than to visit the clinic? Or is it that the man shouldn't be responsible for his actions, only the woman?

First of all, I thought we were talking about young people (kids - teenagers) not grown men and women, so that's what I'm addressing.

Stephanie, we've had our share of disagreements and even quite a few agreements.
I prefer the latter, but I think passing out condoms to young people is a bad idea.

You say it's going to happen no matter what. I've heard that over and over and yes, I do agree. It is going to happen no matter what. So is crime.

Using that same logic, since we know crime is going to happen anyway, should we just pass out guns? It would make it easier for the criminals...they're going to commit crimes anyway. Plus, it would prevent obtaining guns illegally (through other criminals or burglaries). We might actually be protecting a family from the criminal who would break in to steal their guns.

We can't stop crime so why fight it??

Much applause for southerngale...what a great analogy.

[Stephanie]

It's going to happen no matter what j. Wouldn't it be better to "be prepared" than to visit the clinic? Or is it that the man shouldn't be responsible for his actions, only the woman?

First of all, I thought we were talking about young people (kids - teenagers) not grown men and women, so that's what I'm addressing.

Stephanie, we've had our share of disagreements and even quite a few agreements.
I prefer the latter, but I think passing out condoms to young people is a bad idea.

You say it's going to happen no matter what. I've heard that over and over and yes, I do agree. It is going to happen no matter what. So is crime.

Using that same logic, since we know crime is going to happen anyway, should we just pass out guns? It would make it easier for the criminals...they're going to commit crimes anyway. Plus, it would prevent obtaining guns illegally (through other criminals or burglaries). We might actually be protecting a family from the criminal who would break in to steal their guns.

We can't stop crime so why fight it??

No, we shouldn't pass out guns. Does that mean you would support some kind of gun control - such as a 24 hour waiting period? I really don't know your stance on gun control, though I know it's a bit off subject.

Wouldn't you rather see a teenager who may be embarrassed to go and purchase condoms, talk to their parents about it, etc. at least have it available to them so if they do choose to have sex they are protected and protecting their partner?

[southerngale]

Stephanie, the problem with the condoms is that we shouldn't be condoning sex among youngsters by basically handing them free sex opportunities. We should be spending all of our effort convincing them NOT to have sex in the first place. Believe it or not, it will work on some of the kids. We send them a bad message by passing out condoms.

[j]

exactly SG...and if it works on some of the kids, then every penny spent was well worth it.

If it eliminate just one stinking abortion, then every penny spent was well worth it.

[Stephanie]

exactly SG...and if it works on some of the kids, then every penny spent was well worth it.

If it eliminate just one stinking abortion, then every penny spent was well worth it.

One stinking abortion could be eliminated by doing both.

[JQ Public]

I agree. I see no one getting angered over the condom machines we have in our bathroom dorms. People have accepted that kids our age have sex...so they are stopping further problems like pregnancy and disease. Some girls i know just go straight to the doctor and get them to prescribe birth control pills...but they don't tell their parents, b/c the parents will tell them the same thing. I don't think it really matters who gives us birth control as long as it is safe. Besides its a Norwegian problem and not ours. We really have no say it what they do.

[southerngale]

After reading the article Chad posted (thanks Chad), it's obvious that too many teenagers are having sex. The problem is so many having sex in the first place. If we reduce that, unwanted pregnancies and diseases will obviously follow suit.

From the article:

Many young adolescents described sex as relatively "unwanted" -- that is, while the experience was voluntary on their part, they did not want to have sex when they did.

I wholeheartedly believe that kids like that could be convinced not to have sex. They need encouragement and a reason not to do it. I'm sure if these young people didn't want to do it but felt peer pressure and we're in the (probably) brief process of deciding, and then someone hands them a condom, well, what message does that send the kid?? IT'S OK TO DO IT, JUST USE PROTECTION. That's terribly sad.


---------------------------------------------------------

Also, a majority of teens say waiting for sex is a nice idea, but they do not believe anyone really does it.

Maybe if they see other kids abstaining, they will too. And like I said before, if we spent the same efforts we spend on funding/passing out condoms on preventing sex in the first place, there's no doubt that some of the kids would be reached.

[southerngale]

People have accepted that kids our age have sex...

And that's our biggest problem right there!

[JQ Public]

Telling kids to stop having sex is like telling kids to eat their vegetables. Either they will do it or not. During the 50's there were many people who grew up not hearing about sex or its consequences...so when kids had it...they knew little about it...and then young girls would practically disappear (to be off at some clinic in Califonia). They were usually there to have their babies away from "people that would gossip about them"...and no one except her parents knew anything about it. For the most part they gave their kids away, or had a crude abortion. Kids had no one to learn their lessons from so they did what they wanted and now its easy to realize there isn't a way to stop it...so we must try and prevent it.

Actually i heard that in some places there is an abstinence movement. Kids get together and sign a pledge to stay abstinent for a set amt of time. They also have a pretty steady dropout rate.

[coriolis]

When I was a kid there was the same peer pressure, abortions were rare, and there were still shotgun weddings. The message I got was that sex is not trivial, there are consequences, and your life will be changed forever. the result: fewer teen pregnancies.

Now, there's the same peer pressure, abortion is more available and they hand out condoms. The message: Sex is trivial, there does not have to be consequences, and if there are, there's a way out.
the result: more teen pregnancies

Judge the results, not the intentions.

[JQ Public]

Now half of those marriages ended in a divorce...and there are only more now b/c there are more kids. Percentage wise its probably the same.

[southerngale]

JQ wrote:

Telling kids to stop having sex is like telling kids to eat their vegetables. Either they will do it or not. During the 50's there were many people who grew up not hearing about sex or its consequences...so when kids had it...they knew little about it...and then young girls would practically disappear (to be off at some clinic in Califonia). They were usually there to have their babies away from "people that would gossip about them"...and no one except her parents knew anything about it. For the most part they gave their kids away, or had a crude abortion. Kids had no one to learn their lessons from so they did what they wanted and now its easy to realize there isn't a way to stop it...so we must try and prevent it.

Actually i heard that in some places there is an abstinence movement. Kids get together and sign a pledge to stay abstinent for a set amt of time. They also have a pretty steady dropout rate.

Ok then, let's just quit telling the kids what to do. They're going to do what they want anyway. They're going to smart-off to adults too and eat with their mouths open, so let's quit teaching them manners. They're going to drive fast anyway so let's just take away speed limits for them. They're going to stay out late anyway so let's not give them curfews. They're going to eat what they want anyway, so let's quit offering them fruits and vegetables. JQ...that kind of attitude is trouble. When we relinquish authority to our children, man we have failed!!!

As you said, in the 50's when kids had sex, nobody knew about it. Good! No peer pressure! Even though some kids did it, it was considered to be so bad that they tried to hide it. And now, we pass out condoms to encourage sex among youngsters. Talk about a major decline in morals in 50 years!! With today's view on it (as you said people accept it) and the view during the 50's, which time period do you think more kids thought it was ok to have sex and which time period do you think more kids decided to abstain?
Hey, I'm not stupid. I know that kids are going to do it anyway no matter what we do. Kids in my high school did. But when we accept it as "normal" and condone it, we have failed our children. And that my friend, is sad.

[southerngale]

When I was a kid there was the same peer pressure, abortions were rare, and there were still shotgun weddings. The message I got was that sex is not trivial, there are consequences, and your life will be changed forever. the result: fewer teen pregnancies.

Now, there's the same peer pressure, abortion is more available and they hand out condoms. The message: Sex is trivial, there does not have to be consequences, and if there are, there's a way out.
the result: more teen pregnancies

Judge the results, not the intentions.

Great point coriolis!

[j]

There is a way to stop (most) abortions...Overturn Roe V Wade. As far as keeping kids from having sex...the goal should be to reduce the numbers doing it for all the wrong reasons. I agree with SG that there are "fringe" fornicators, who are doing it because more attention is being directed at making it acceptable, and easy, than preventing it from happening in the first place.

And...back to abortion. I don't care what you pro-choicers say....If you make abortion illegal, you will make youngsters think twice before doing the deed. There is something about taking away that all too conveniant option that will make them think twice.

[southerngale]

You're exactly right j

[isobar]

Putting aside the moral issue (and there's a big one) for just a second, teenagers are simply not mature enough for a sexual relationship. I don't think anyone's disputing that. Besides the physical consequences, the emotional complexities are too much to handle.

However, "just say no" will not work unless these kids have a healthy self-esteem and constructive activities to keep them busy. Only then can abstinance-based programs do what their supposed to. And they should receive proper and accurate information, because at some point, they will become mature adults and involved in a stable, monogamous relationship. They shouldn't be learning what they need to know from the internet or from the latest R-rated movie.

Oh yeah, and the big one, "... honor God with your body." 1 Cor 6:20 Young people need God more than anything.