Preteens Sex
Introduction
Teen sex has become one of the greatest concerns not only for most parents but also many people in almost every corner of the globe. Parents are ever worried about the behavior of their teenagers as far as sexual intercourse is concerned. Newfound sense of independence as well as raging hormones may be a contributory factor for the irresponsibleness of teens. Anxieties over sexually transmitted diseases coupled with concerns regarding unplanned pregnancies, raises more worries among parents regarding sexual activeness of their teens. A number of measures have been put into place with an objective of reducing the number of cases of preteen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Although the numbers are far from perfect, through these mechanisms the rates of pregnancy among the teens has reduced, more especially in the western industrialized countries, (Shaffer & Kipp, 2009). Arguably, there are various consequences that are faced by both the family and the teens due rampant sexual activities among the teens. According to studies that have been carried out by various organizational bodies, the United States is among the leading nations with a large number of reported cases of teen’s pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted diseases. This paper will be focusing on the impacts of sex on the teens and the family as well as the role that parents have to play towards reducing or preventing promiscuity.
Impacts of sex on preteens
In most cases, having sex at an earlier age has negative impacts among the teens. One of the obvious impacts is high chances of getting pregnant at a very young age. Teenage pregnancy has been one of the challenges that most countries in the globe are faced. For instance, in the United States, pregnancy among teens is still a big challenge. According to studies, approximately one million cases of teens pregnancies are reported annually. There are various negative outcomes that are associated by early pregnancy among the teens. Notably, the body of teens is not only developing, but also they lack a sense of responsibility, (Maria, 2010). In most cases, teenagers never realize what and how much the body requires while pregnant. There are high chances of young mothers having children with a low birth rate; hence, causing problems for a child in the long-run. Additionally, it has been observed that infant death rates among teens are higher as compared to older women. Moreover, stress may cause health risks for both the teen and the baby. Due to the body changes as well as the pregnancy, the hormones of the younger mother are tremendously out of clout.
The other impact of premature sex among the teens is development of the habit alcohol drinking and doing drugs. Drug and alcohol abuse among the teens is very common more especially in most developed countries such as the United States. It has been observed that there is some correction of abuse of drugs and sexual activities among the teens. Arguably, teenagers are very exploring and like trying new things as they grow, (Maria, 2010). Therefore, earlier sexual activities among the teens may be the cause or rather the basis of the development of drug and alcohol abuse habits.
Besides teenage pregnancies, the other impact of preteen sex is sexually transmitted diseases. This has been one of the problems of premature sex among the teens. For instance, in the United States as well as Scotland, it has been noted that teens forms the majority of the total number of people that are suffering from sexually transmitted diseases. Basically, this is due to the fact that teens engage in sexually activities at an early age and they are not aware of the ways in which they can protect themselves from this problem. It has also been noted that not many teens as well as parents are ready to have talks on sexual issues; hence, teens lack information on this matter.
Impacts of preteens sex on the family
Preteen sex also has some impacts on the family of the affected teens. In case of pregnancy, the challenges that are faced by the affected teen, affects the family as well. For instance, it is obvious that a younger mother will not be in a position to take care of the baby. Therefore, the entire family has to take the responsibility of both the younger mother and her baby. On the other hand, in case of sexually transmitted disease the family has to carry the responsibility of the treatment of the affected individual, (Klepacki & David, 2004).
Statistical data on preteen pregnancy
Despite the fact that the United States has indicated declining rates of teen pregnancy, still it is has been ranked as one of the countries in the developed world with the highest rates of teen pregnancy. As from 2010 to date, approximately seven hundred and fifty thousand pregnancies have been reported in the United States. However, there is a slight improvement from the previous eight hundred and twenty one thousand reported cases in 2000. In Canada, reported cases of underage pregnancy amounted to about thirty seven thousand in 2000. This is approximately thirty eight pregnancies per a thousand people. It has been also noted that about eight percent of pregnancy cases among the teenagers were not intended. Additionally, two thirds of young mothers have little chances of graduating from high school, (Klepacki & David, 2004)
Studies also indicate that, about 1 in 4 teens who are sexually experienced acquire an STD. moreover; a teen woman has a one percent chance of being infected with HIV, fifty percent chance of getting gonorrhea and thirty percent chance of contraction genital herpes.
Statistical data on preteens STD’s
For a long time now, reports have been produced on Chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea in the United States. In 2009, reports on overall Chlamydia diagnosis indicated that the rate of infection among women was three times the rate of men. This is about five hundred and ninety cases per a thousand population in comparison to two hundred and twenty among men. In the case of gonorrhea, the rate of infection among men was a bit higher than among the women, (Bonnie, 2009). Since 1946 when the first report was produced, the number of secondary and primary syphilis diagnosed varies widely. However, there has been an increase in the diagnosis of secondary and primary syphilis, men being the most affected. From the report of 2008-2009, syphilis increased by about 11.6% among the teenagers. This indicates that most teenagers are engaging in sexual activities without using any protection or rather taking necessary precautionary measure.
The role of parents in prevention of promiscuity
Parents have a big role to play in ensuring that their children grow with the expected moral standards. Basically, they spend more time with the teens as compared to, for instance, the teachers and therefore, they understand them relatively better. There are various roles that parents should play in guiding their children as they grow to prevent promiscuity. To begin with, parents should be able to talk to their children from time to time. In most cases, most parents are never ready to talk to their children on issues to do with sex because it seems to be uncomfortable. However, parents should try to initiate talks about safe sex with their teenagers. By so doing, the teenagers will become aware of the challenges on sexual matters that they will be facing as they go through the stage of adolescence, (Shaffer & Kipp, 2009).
Secondly, besides talking about sex with the teenagers, parents should also go a step further to teach them on how they can develop a good attitude toward sex. Being at an explorative stage, parents should ensure that they give teens constructive teachings about sexual issues. This kind of teachings will enable the teenagers to know what is right or wrong when it comes to sexual issues, (Bonnie, 2009). Another role of parents towards the reduction of promiscuity is supervising the teens. It is only by supervising that parents can ensure that teenagers are behaving responsibly when it comes to sexual matters. Moreover, through supervision parents are able to make any necessary corrections whenever they note divergence of the behavior of their children from what is expected of them.
The other role is protect the teens. As mentioned previously, drug and alcohol abuse among the teenagers go hand in hand. Thus, it is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their children are protected from using drugs and alcohol. This will reduce the chances of teens engaging in unsafe sex at a younger age. In order the parents to ensure their children are protected from being introduced to drug abuse; they should be aware of the company of their children and watch each and every move that they make, (Shaffer & Kipp, 2009). Lastly, parents should try to be encouraging. Through encouragement, parents will instill a sense of frankness among their children. Additionally, a conducive environment will be set which would allow children to be open with their parents. Thus, parents should be ready to listen to the problems of their children as well as help them as they go through those problems.
Conclusion
Parents are ever worried about the behavior of their teenagers as far as sexual intercourse is concerned. Anxieties over sexually transmitted diseases coupled with concerns regarding unplanned pregnancies, raises more worries among parents regarding sexual activeness of their teens. In most cases, having sex at an earlier age has negative impacts among the teens. This includes teen pregnancy as well as contracting sexually transmitted diseases. Parents have a big role to play in ensuring that their children grow with the expected moral standards. This includes; spending time together, protecting the teens, supervising them, and teaching them. This will make them more willing to talk out their problems and by so doing the parents can understand the problems facing their children.
References
Bonnie, B.M. (2009). Teen Sex and Pregnancy. Retrieved on 22nd October 2011 from
http://childbirthsolutions.com/articles/teen-sex-and-pregnancy/
Maria, J. (2010). Early Teen Sex and its Effects on the Body. Retrieved on 22nd October 2011
from http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Early-Teen-Sex-and-Its-Effects-on-The-Body/997141
Klepacki, M.L. & David, L.S. (2004). How to talk to your kids about Sexuality. Boston: David C
Cook.
Shaffer, R.D & Kipp, K. (2009). Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence. New
York: Cengage Learning.
