sexual consequences in adolesc
Sexual activity hurts adolescents. Sadly, large numbers of children are placing themselves at risk by engaging in sexual activity early in their lives. Health risks are not the only consequences however. Sexually promiscuous lifestyles bring with them heavy responsibilities and commitments that young people cannot handle. Young adolescents do not have the capacity and maturing to endure the social, emotional, and psychological responsibilities that accompany their sexual choices. Sadly, the consequences include unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and broken relationships, to name a few. The purpose of this essay is to investigate and discuss some of the research surrounding early sexual activity in adolescents. We will examine the findings of several academic journals, identify some of the current trends in sexual activity in adolescence, and examine the implications that follow. Let's begin by looking at some statistics regarding sexual promiscuity in adolescents. The statistics are frightening. According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, about 80% of teenagers engage in sex by age 19 and most experience intercourse an average of 8 years before marriage. Roughly 1-in-4 sexually active teens acquires a
From a community perspective, there are measures that can be taken to help young women protect themselves. The problem is that children do not have the capacity to handle the emotional and social repercussions that inevitably accompany their choices to have sex. Ten percent of all women become pregnant by their late teens, 78% of which are unwanted. This perspective suggests that healthy development in adolescence is dependent upon a healthy progression of sexuality. It does, however, decrease the risk of STD's and pregnancy. It is too little too late, failing to reach the at-risk adolescents. Many forms of STD's are incurable and some are fatal, AIDS being the most deadly of all. Sexual activity during the early teen years occurs before adolescents acquire the maturity to manage the consequences of their actions. Her studies indicate that the earlier adolescents engage in sexual activity, the more likely they are to experience emotional problems and health complications later. Unfortunately, condom use among all adolescent females is only about 50 percent (Seehafer & Rew p.
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