The risks of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases as they associate to the consequences of having sex have been pondered upon repeatedly, and there have also been launched many movements to inform the teenagers of the associated risks and the precautions which could minimize the damage. We have however lacked insight into how sexual relationships that are established prematurely into the age could affect the psychological and the emotional well-being of the youth. Considering how it is important for us to inform our young ones of the emotional risks of premarital sex, the subject deserves more of a spotlight compared to the attention that it has been receiving. Here, we are going to try and remedy that shortcoming.
Sex may be a physical act but the effects that it brings are much more than that. The act involves not just the matters of the body, but the heart is just as actively involved in the deed and this is precisely the reason why the act of becoming sexually intimate has some very moving aftereffects. Sex with teenagers who are not yet ready to shoulder the responsibility could end up inflicting severe damage on the relationships that are kept. A sixteen-year-old high school girl writes about her experience with sex, and she says that she regrets the first time that it happened because she had lost her virginity to someone that she did not even care passionately about. Her boyfriend expects sexual intimacy ever since the first date and she even know that neither is in love with the other. The realization makes her feel less precious.
The emotional effects of premarital sex could sometimes be so profound that they could last well after the person has taken a vow of marriage with the better half for there are a number of studies which prove that premarital sex also increases the chances of an individual cheating on his/her partner after marriage. This is a fact which these teenagers are painfully unaware of when they are having sex outside of wedlock. Another emotional consequence that these youngsters have to face through is the pressures that accompany the act of having sex at such young age. There are many men who say that the first time they have sex with a woman is the best experience. As the practice becomes a regular one sadly, the male partners are likely to lose the charm of that single partner, and this translates into the consequences of abandonment for the women. In some cases, the reverse could also prove true. (Mark Regnerus, 2011, p.284)
Yet another emotional aftermath of premarital sex is the loss of trust and fear of commitment in future relationships, and this is a dangerous consequence because it lasts very long after. This is because since these sexual relationships have powerful effects, they more often end in emotional loss and heartbreak which may make the youngsters careful about all the relationships that come in the future.
In order to address the needs of these youths in terms of the assistance that we could provide them with, it would be reasonable to understand the dimensions first which is why we could seek help from the results of the various questions and interviews given by the students whether or not in college so that we could get the bearings on what their beliefs tell them is the right way to address the problem.
We could have discussion groups with these teenagers so that they could further their understanding of sex and the true importance of it through the sharing of their own knowledge and also through the knowledge of their peers. These groups could be arranged on a weekly basis within the college and in public libraries and senior students could be appointed to head the discussions and report on the results to make sure that the youth feels comfortable sharing their feelings on the subject.
List of References
Chastity Project. (n.d.). Why is premarital sex bad? My friend just started high school, and she’s trying to tell me that it’s good, and she’s going to do it. Retrieved May 05, 2016, from Chastity Project: http://chastityproject.com/qa/why-is-premarital-sex-bad-my-friend-just-started-high-school-and-shes-trying-to-tell-me-that-its-good-and-shes-going-to-do-it/
Kelly, R. K. (1972). The Premarital Sexual Revolution: Comments on Research. The Family Coordinator, 334-336.
Lickona, T. (2007). The Neglected Heart: The Emotional Dangers of Premature Sexual Involvement. Retrieved May 05, 2016, from Catholic Education Resource Center: http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/marriage-and-family/sexuality/the-neglected-heart-the-emotional-dangers-of-premature-sexual-involvement.html
Love Matters. (n.d.). SEX IS AWESOME! (Unless you are). Retrieved May 05, 2016, from lovematters.com: http://www.lovematters.com/awesome.htm
Mahnaz Noroozi, F. T.-k. (2014). Premarital sexual relationships: Explanation of the actions and functions of the family. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. , 424-431.
Mark Regnerus, J. U. (2011). Premarital Sex in America: How Young Americans Meet, Mate, and Think about Marrying. Oxford University Press.
Tant, D. a. (n.d.). Dealing With the Effects of Premarital Sex. Retrieved May 05, 2016, from Truth Magazine: http://www.truthmagazine.com/dealing-with-the-effects-of-premarital-sex
