ARTICLE: S*X AND ADOLESCENTS

S*X AND ADOLESCENTS

Not until I gained admission to secondary school did I start to think about what really kissing was, I haven’t even started picturing the act of s*x, days when moving to close to girls was my greatest fear,i cant even talk to a girl without mincing words.Whoa! dispensation has really changed over years. The first time I had the opportunity to feel what a female hands were in my last class in secondary school, last two weeks a friend of mine shared me a picture of a
primary school student kissing a school mate after school hours in their classroom, iwas stunned by the picture i wasn’t privileged to feel the lips of a lady until my first year of National Diploma at school. What has been wrong with the minds of young people? Has this jet age stuff of a thing affected their desires in the romance world? This are questions that bother my mind most times I read news of a teenage boy rape a young girl what has attracted the young-man to the girl in the first instance, he must have been under influence of either drugs, alcohols or perhaps a spiritual power.

Am sure for you to read this article you must have had deep understanding of what s*x is defined as, how on earth will you explain that to a kid who has got the knowledge of what being aroused is, he/she now feels gentle touch when held by opposite s*x partners.

Below here are some figures and facts of statisticians on adolescents and s*xual activities.

Positive statistics about adolescents and s*xual activity:

• According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2003, 48% of males and 45% of females had s*xual intercourse; yet in 1993 56% of males and 50% of females had s*xual intercourse.

• The negative consequences such as S*xually Transmitted Diseases, pregnancy and HIV, make adolescents think twice when it comes to being s*xually active. That has only cautioned those who understand what STD is.

• Boys and girls in all four grades (junior school students) are likely to stay abstinent if they know their mothers strongly disapprove of premarital s*x.

• Boys and girls in eighth and ninth grades are likely to stay abstinent if they have warm, healthy relationships with their mothers. This was also true of boys in the 10th and 11^thgrades(High school students).

• Girls in the eighth and ninth grades are likely to avoid s*x if their mothers talk regularly with their friends' parents. This effect was not seen among boys in these grades, however.

Now figures have shown that this s*xuality in adolescent can be crubed and has affliated (if mother/parents...) Does certain things.. I would want to highlight what is really driving s*xuality in adolescents.

Factors that influences s*xual activity:

• Alcohol: A study conducted by “Whose kids? Our kids!” stated that teens that use alcohol or other drugs are at greater risk for unplanned s*xual intercourse, s*xual violence and exposure to HIV. Most “victims” may not have really gone into alcohol but their locality has a greater influence on them.

• Peer pressure: Adolescence is a period in which the opinions of peers are important. Many adolescents want to have a certain “image” and will take drastic measures toobtain it, they are easily attracted by what their peers do and are always ready to catch up in new stuffs.

• Curiosity: Much of what adolescents know about s*xuality is learned from the media. The media portrays s*xuality as something fun and gives the impression that “everybody’s doing it”. This misperception can lead to teen’s not being cautious and making hasty decisions.

• The Internet: It provides teens with unlimited access to information on s*x as well as a supply of people willing to talk about s*x with them. Teens may feel safe because they can remain anonymous while looking for information on s*x.

Entertainment industries have played vital role in affecting young minds through showing of half-naked images in music videos, home videos etc. Virtually every home possesses the TV and kids have access to them even when parents aren’t at home most parents don’t care to check ratings of movies before playing them in presences of their kids, well what about movies that are not rated 18+ and possess nude materials what does the NBC has to say on this.

The locality where a child lives plays also a vital role, a child who is being brought up in the remote ghetto is far different in terms of mental thinking compared to those who stays in the Estates or G.R.A that doesn’t mean those who stay in the latter aren’t victims of the “unruly act” but they aren’t opened to these compared to the ghetto ones wherein they practice what the local niggas in the street does at the backyard or whenever their mum isn’t home.

So many other factors are also responsible like improper monitoring of child, absence of parent-children relation, too much strictness of parent which wouldn’t give the child freedom to open up issues with parent, death of parent/guardian amidst others.

What parents & educators can do curb/remove s*xual activity amongst adolescents:

• Alert parents to speak with their teens about s*x, teachers can also advise parents to display their disapproval of s*xual activity since it may sway a teen’s decision and can delay the experience.

• Though s*x education has been a part of curriculum for years, abstinence only programs are slowly disappearing therefore we need to revive s*x education in our education system.

• According to siecus.org, some educators and school officials believe that abstinence-only programs “violate students’ rights, embrace s*xist stereotypes, isolate gay, lesbian, bis*xual and transgender youth, and promulgate religious views.”

• Avoiding abstinence only curricula will decrease the percentage of students receiving false and misleading information.

• Practice with teens how to handle s*xual pressure scenarios also adults should always try to remain cool when speaking to teens about s*x. So as to make it a open conversationwhich will encourage teens to talk and also ask questions regarding this issue

• Adolescents should know that parents and teachers are here to help and guide them.

Tips health teachers recommend to parents:

• Seize the moment. When a TV program or music video raises issues about responsible s*xual behavior, use it as a springboard for discussion don’t be too bore with discussions and take them back time to when you were their age.

• Keep it low-key. Do not pressure the student to talk about s*x, forcing them to join you discuss wouldn’t yield any better solution.

• Be honest. If you are uncomfortable, it is ok to express this but explain that it is important to keep talking.

• Be direct.  It’s weird but you have a goal, now clearly state your feelings about specific issues, such as oral s*x and intercourse. Present the risks objectively, including emotional pain, s*xually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy.

• Consider their point of view. Do not lecture your child or rely on scare tactics to discourage s*xual activity. Understand your child's pressures, challenges and concerns.

• Move beyond the facts. Your child needs accurate information about s*x. Examine questions of ethics and responsibility in the context of yourpersonal or religious beliefs.

• Invite more discussion. Let your child know that it is OK to talk with you about s*x whenever he or she has questions or concerns. Reward questions by saying, "I'm glad you came to me.” It goes a long way and gives room for future conversation.

Parents should therefore check to see their flaws and amend them, and children should therefore see this as an opportunity to rehabilitate themselves.

Share this article it could help a parent and could bless a child you never can tell it could reach your wife or your child.

Omitoyin Victor

^{jonnya39@gmail.com
08138592905}