Heather Little-White, Ph.D., contributorMANY PARENTS fail to believe that younger teens, in the age group of 12 to 15, are engaging in sex. Young teen sex is the hottest new pop culture targeted by marketers in the sex industry. This explains the alarming increase in the numbers of young teens who are engaging in sexual intercourse and oral sex.
What has contributed to what may be called the 'second sexual revolution' when sexual explicitness is becoming the norm, resulting in consequences that are deleterious to teens and the wider society?
The sexual content of television programmes and Internet sites along with poor parenting skills have led to enticing younger teens to engage in sexual intercourse and other intimate sexual practices. Strong evidence in a study by the United States-based RAND Corporation has shown that teenagers who watch large amounts of television programmes with heavy sexual content are twice as likely to have sexual intercourse compared to their peers who watch little television.
ORAL SEX
The study also found that teens who watched excessive amounts of television with strong sexual content were also more likely to initiate non-intercourse activities such as heavy petting and oral sex, mimicking the behaviour of older teens. The explicit content of television programmes and Internet sites substantially influences the behaviour of younger teens.
A report in People magazine states that younger teens having sex are not using condoms with every sexual encounter. Pregnancy scares result from "in-the-heat-of the-moment" sexual experiences among younger teens.
PORN SEX
The Internet targets younger teens through porn sex. Sites such as 'Best Teens Links' read:
"Sweet looks, fresh bodies, innocent thoughts.. Sure you like it? Then check out more of these terrific beautiful angels! Live teen shows, explicit photos and hardcore movies!
Another site titled 'Teen Thrills' reads:
"Do you think these teens are naughty? No, they are not! They are eager to fulfill any of your desires ... just tell them! Little sexy bodies, innocent eyes, silky skin, wet vaginas filmed and presented here!"
Anecdotal reports indicated that teens are increasingly engaging in oral sex as a safer sex method to prevent the spread of sexually- transmitted infections. It is no longer strep or mono but an increase in herpes and gonorrhoea. While the practice of oral sex was more prevalent among teens in higher income brackets, the practice is now embraced by teens in lower socio-economic groups to get validation from their sexual partners.
ABORTIONS
Early sexual intercourse means that in a girl's lifetime she is likely to have several partners with a high turnover rate. This increases a girl's risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Early sexual activity increase the risk for teenage pregnancies and subsequent abortions to which some teens may resort to 'save face'.
The emotional and psychological effect of early teen sex is severe. While some teens say they are 'happy' many others are depressed and are likely to attempt suicide. Many girls feel dejected when the boys 'charm' them to engage in sex. Later, the girls are dumped and become heart-broken.
PARENTS' ROLE
What can parents do to prevent early sexual involvement of younger teens? Interestingly, there was less exposure to television programmes with strong sexual content when parents actively monitored teenagers' activities. The exposure to early sex is also less when teens live with both parents and when the influence of religion is strong in the home.
An excellent parenting skill to deal with the issue of sexual content on television is for parents to watch programmes with their children and discuss the content, even jokes, as they appear. This practice creates an opportunity for parents to express their own views about sex and to learn of their children's views on sexual matters. Parents have to be observant of their children's behaviour and conversations and use every opportunity to teach morals and instil sound values in their children.
SELF-ESTEEM
When younger teens absorb the sexual content of television programmes and Internet sites, other factors also encourage them to engage in sexual intimacy. It may be the influence of older friends, or getting lower grades, breaking rules, skipping class and other sensation-seeking activities. Low self-esteem will cause teens to engage in activities which will allow them to feel a sense of self-worth. When teens give pleasure to a man in whatever way, it gives them a sense of accomplishment and worth. The lingo of the young teen culture is 'friends with benefits' where the 'guys get the pleasure' without commitment and the girls 'are willing to give them that'.
A shift in the sexual practices of younger teens to more oral sex and vaginal sex indicates the social transition in society. It will take radical approaches to sex education in the home, school and church to reduce the number of infected and heartbroken young teens.
