Earlier this week I read that the “National Center for Health Statistics” conducted a survey of over 4,500 teens, in which they were asked questions about sexual activity.
Apparently the majority of teens don’t fear getting a sexually transmitted disease. However the ones that are most likely to abstain from sex are those who do so for religious reasons.
I don’t understand how there isn’t a fear of sexually transmitted diseases. Perhaps they were not given graphic details, such as I shared with my children when they reached a certain age.
I didn’t just tell them you can get gonorrhea, syphilis or any of the other common sexually transmitted diseases. I read descriptions to them and showed them pictures. Yes I did.
And let me tell you, my children may have religious reasons for not wanting to have sex but they also have ingrained in their minds what its like to get a sexually transmitted disease. They were so disgusted by it that they kept asking me to stop reading the information to them. I didn’t.
On the other hand, this survey showed that those who chose to not have sex for religious reasons didn’t seem concerned about sexually transmitted diseases. Well that makes sense. There is no reason to fear if they are going to stick to their moral or religious standards.
I understand that not everyone will agree with me but I truly do believe that moral or religious standards are a great way to keep your teen from engaging in an act that while it may be more “accepted” today is clearly not something they are ready for.
I also believe that providing detailed descriptions of the repercussions that can happen when you do have sex is beneficial. It might be uncomfortable for you as a parent to talk about. But let me tell you, I would rather be uncomfortable for a few minutes reading about the descriptions than having my child come to me to tell me they have a lifelong sexually transmitted disease.
Related Articles:
Talking to Your Teen about Sex
Teens Being Charged with Child Pornography
Parents Who Allow Teens to Have Sex at Home
Photo by Made Underground in Flickr