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PilotNews > Features
> No longer ignoring reality, teenage sex is a fact
No longer ignoring reality, teenage sex is a fact
Exploring truths, potential consequences of promiscuity
Katy Miller
Jason LoRusso
May 11, 2007
Like bombs exploding daily, students are faced with graphic sexual images on television, in movies and in music. Students have become forced to either accept these messages as their own lifestyle, or ignore them.
Every student has to come to realize that sex is a realistic factor that is prominent in high school, but it is their own decision whether or not to do it. In a National Youth Risk Behavior survey in 2005 conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, 46.8% of high school students have had sex. Students need to know the proper precautions, as well as the consequences of pre-marital sex. They need to be aware that these decisions could have life long effects, and should prepare themselves accordingly.
"I think that kids just need to be safe, telling them not to do it isn’t the solution. From experience I know that it will just make them more prone to do it. People just need to be safe, and realize what they are doing, and what the outcome can be if they don’t protect themselves. Use a condom, and get on birth control, it’s that easy. If you are not ready to handle the outcome, then don’t do it," said Anonymous Junior.
ABSTINENCE:
The only way to completely assure oneself that they are safe is to be abstinent. Many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are out there, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV/AIDS. Considering that 15.3 million new cases of STDs are diagnosed each year, it is extremely important for one and one’s partner to protect themselves.
"The latest report has now moved St. Louis to the number one position for gonorrhea in the nation. That in itself tells me that teenagers still have no idea about the negative impact STD’s have on one’s life (since nearly one-third of the gonorrhea cases and almost half of the chlamydia cases were in people under age 20). Teens today must understand that consequences with high level STD’s like HIV/AIDS is fatal. There are no do-overs," said Tom Girard, physical education teacher.
Another reason why many are choosing to remain abstinent is that recently it has been discovered, by the American Center for Disease Control that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is related to cervical cancer, may be spread through sex. There is in fact a new HPV vaccine called Gardasil, which was approved by the FDA in June of 2006, which protects against four strains of HPV believed to cause 70% of cervical cancer cases. According to the March 19, 2007 issue of Time, HPV infects 25% of U.S. girls ages 14-19. Abstinence is not something to be embarrassed about, it is a very respectable and a smart decision for one to make.
"I have chosen to stay abstinent, because I don’t like surprises. I don’t test drive the car before I buy it, and I don’t want any unexpected costs," Jonathan Griffiths (11).
Many students feel pressured to have sex. It is proven that young females have more of an emotional attachment than males. Young males are more often than not attracted physically more than emotionally. Respecting oneself is not an embarrassment, and should not be viewed as one by anyone.
"Students want to be accepted, but you can come away feeling empty. Realize the euphemism ‘safe sex’; there is no such thing," said Cindy Vincent, SSD educator.
PROTECTION:
Though abstinence is the only sure way to stay safe, it is unrealistic to believe that all teens will choose to abstain from having sex. Therefore, it is crucial that information regarding how to stay safe when having intercourse is available for high school students. Whether learning ways in a Health class, or simply from word of mouth, here are various ways that people are protecting themselves if they choose to have sex.
There is a common misconception when it comes to protecting oneself with condoms. Condoms are not a sure solution to pregnancy prevention. Condoms can break, become punctured, slip off, and if these problems occur it can once again leave the woman susceptible to STD’s and pregnancy. Although condoms are found to be completely safe in the laboratory, human error can decrease the effectiveness in the real world. In order to stay completely protected, one must make sure to use a condom every time and they should make sure to put the condom on before any contact. Also, it has been proven that 1 out of every 5 Trojan brand condoms is defective, and the company that owns Trojan also owns another company, First Response pregnancy tests [which leaves one to wonder why a condom company would want to sell pregnancy tests?] Well, the more condoms that fail or break, the more tests they will sell. In addition, as soon as a condom is stretched, to cover the penis, they lose reliability, because the pores of the condom stretch, allowing STD’s and possibly sperm to be let through into the women’s reproductive system. If used 100% of the time (which is very uncommon), condoms only reduce the risk of chlamydia and gonorrhea infection by about half. So even though a condom is better than no condom, there is still no 100% way to guarantee safe sex.
"The only safe sex, is no sex," said Karen Brunsmann (11).
The female condom was first available in Europe in 1992, and was approved by the US in 1993. Many women use the female condom to share responsibility with their partner. Studies have shown that they are equally as effective as a regular latex condom in preventing STD’s.
The main disadvantage of the female condom is that the pregnancy rate is higher than a regular condom. They’re also considered to be expensive and hard to use. Simply put, a female condom is not the best option for safe sex.
According to scientific studies, the pill is proven to be 99% effective if taken correctly. If on certain medication, the effectiveness of the pill can be decreased.
Many believe that the advantages of the pill are that it is convenient, and both cramps and periods are lighter.
Factors that should be considered before going on the pill are: the pill must be taken in the same time frame everyday, it doesn’t prevent STD’s, and the pill can cause stomach aches and cramping for the first 1-3 days of a new pack.
The belief that pulling the penis out of the vaginal cavity before ejaculation will prevent pregnancy is false. Sperm is released in pre-ejaculation during sex, having the same effect as ejaculating normally. When considering pulling out as a method of safe sex, remember that it is a myth and is completely ineffective.
Why the Appeal?
There are proven scientific reasons why teenagers choose to have sex. The teenage brain works differently than that of an adult. Young adult brains produce large amounts of bonding chemicals that make them involuntarily want to repeat pleasurable acts. In males this chemical is called Vasopressin, and in females it is called Oxytocin. These chemical are often described as ‘super glue’ chemicals, because they make one feel really bonded to another person. Unfortunately, just like when two pieces of paper had been super glued together, they don’t end up ripping away in a clean break, similar to sexual relationships that occur prematurely.
Sex Ed at LHS:
The district’s official stance on sexual relations is abstinence; however, steps are being taken to educate the students regarding the subject matter. In previous years there were not a lot of classes offered at LHS involving sex education.
"I think that our school as a whole is uneducated about safe sex," said Cody Reece (10).
Steps towards educating students about sex and sexual integrity are being taken at LHS. A new health class is required for graduation starting with the class of 2010. In this class there is a full unit about sexual education that informs students about the dangers of unprotected premature sex.
For one health class, taught by Girard, a special speaker, Stacey Haynes, from Best Choice, was brought in for four days to inform students about sexual integrity. She illustrated for the students a full slide show with diagrams of sperm, female reproductive organs, and male reproductive organs.
"It gave us a lot more facts about sex and the potential consequences," said Greg Butz (9).
However, the Health classes are not the only courses at LHS that address sex, as some discuss different facets of the topic including sexual harassment. This is included in a unit in Sociology taught by Tim Lombardo. In this class, students learn what constitutes as sexual harassment, and what one should do if one is sexually harassed. Students then make their own inferences as to how sexual harassment affects their lives at LHS.
Editor’s Note:
Regardless of what one believes is the right path to take regarding sexual activity among teenagers, the truth is, there is always the possibility that students may engage in sexual activity during high school years. It is no longer an option for parents and administrators to simply "stick their heads in the sand," and therefore information regarding the subject will hopefully be welcomed, instead of ignored.
Regardless of what one believes is the right path to take regarding sexual activity among teenagers, the truth is, there is always the possibility that students may engage in sexual activity during high school years. It is no longer an option for parents and administrators to simply "stick their heads in the sand," and therefore information regarding the subject will hopefully be welcomed, instead of ignored.
Due to the controversial nature of this issue, our top ten reasons for publishing include:
-New curriculum for required health course
-Desire to protect the health of student body
-Educate and inform the community
-To update old news with new information
-Neighboring school districts adding personnel to address added enrollment to Health Ed. courses
-Enrollment number in PE/Health course at LHS are up for 2007-08 school year; expecting summer school numbers to reflect additional PE/Health dept. growth
-Increased Internet predators reaching adolescents
-American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend HPV vaccine administered to 11-12 year old girls.
-Faculty heightened sensitivity and awareness of sexual harassment as form of bullying.
-Prime time TV shows such as ‘Ugly Betty’ have context related to sex education.
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