T.+Shemwell

=Teenagers & Promiscuity =

Promiscuity among teenagers has become a trend that leads to much bigger problems such as skyrocketing teen pregnancy rates, and many more teen statistics being added to the lists of numerous sexually transmitted diseases. Promiscuity is caused by the many images presented to teens by the media, our social environment, and also the need to fit in because everyone seems to think that "Everyone's doing it." I believe this is a problem in America because their are too many teens becoming parents before they need to, and way too many teens with sexually transmitted diseases that they don't even know they have. One out of every four teens has an or has had a sexually transmitted disease. If you think about how many teens that is...that is a major problem.

Whether we realize it or not teenagers and promiscuity is a problem that we face eachand everyday, especially in high school settings. Teens have multiple sex partners. Teens have unprotected sex. Teens are always participating in risky behaviors without thinking of the consequences, which is mainly why I chose this topic. Teens are too careless when it comes to decisions. Everything seems to be centered around sex: Conversation topics, how we dress, body language, etc. There is no way around it, therefore I see promiscuity as an issue and its a problem that needs to be addressed.

__Annotated Bibliography__ Aspen Education Group. (2001). //Sexual Promiscuity in Adolescents//. Retrieved October 30, 2009, from Aspen Education Group: http://www.aspeneducation.com/factsheetpromiscuity.html   **This article talks about the issue of sexual promiscuity and the affect it has on the teen and the parents. It constantly talks about the affects sexual promiscuity can have on the teen’s health, and also how it can diminish their sense of value and self-worth. Teens sometimes use sex as a weapon or defense in order to show their parents that they are free and can do whatever they want. On the other hand, sex can be considered a drug or an “outlet” for releasing frustrations. In summary, the gist of the article was that sexual promiscuity can damage self-esteem and the emotional health of any developing adolescent.**

American Social Health Association. (2003). //Teenage Sex and Promiscuity//. Retrieved October 29, 2009, from Psychiatric Disorders.com: http://www.psychiatric-disorders.com/articles/warning-signs/teenage-sex.php This article talks about the problem with teenage sex and promiscuity from all possible aspects that have a positive correlation linked to the problem. This article points out just how influential the media can be on teens, pointing out the fact sex appears to be everywhere. Also, it gets a bit more specific in making reference directly to the internet and how porn is so easily available, and is sometimes used to attract teens to certain web pages. The article explains the link between the sexual behaviors of teens to what they around them every day. **
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My Troubled Teen. (2000). //Sexual Promiscuity//. Retrieved October 30, 2009, from My Troubled Teen.com: http://www.mytroubledteen.com/behavior-changes/sexual-promiscuity.php This source talks about both sides of teen promiscuity by giving explanations for a teenage girl’s promiscuity and also a teenage boy’s promiscuity. This source refers to sexual promiscuity as a cry for help and also provides a different viewpoint of what some underlying causes of sexual promiscuity can be. This source provides a more modern look into promiscuity and allows you to really understand where some teens are coming from. ** Parker-Pope, T. (2009, January 26). The Myth of Rampant Teenage Promiscuity. //NY Times//, p. 2. This article presents a different side of teen promiscuity. This article provides information that says that the media is misleading, and that the reality of teen promiscuity is that teens are more conservative about sexual behavior in this generation more than any other. People often misconstrue teens behavior and focus on what they think instead of the reality of the whole situation. This article points out the fact that teen promiscuity happens because of the lack of parental supervision and the amount of unused time that teens have on their hands. Researchers say that today’s teens have healthy sexual attitudes and are far more responsible than given credit for. ** Richard, D. (1990). //Has Sex Education Failed Our Teenagers?: A Research Report.// Focus on the Family Publishing.
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**This book talks about how the unsucess of sex education can be a factor contributing to teen promiscuity. This book talks alot about pregnancy and abortion rate implying that because teens are very sexually actuve and careless in their behaviors there are many unplanned pregnancies that occur. The book also points out that sexual activity is not as prevalent as we think, due to the fact that research shows that not all teens are sexually active, which means some teens are still virgins.**

=__Teen Promiscuity Outline__ = 1. **Difficulty in parents confronting the issue of sex **  2. **<span style="color: #71bc15; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Teen pregnancy and STD's ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 3. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> **<span style="color: #d97c17; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Damages self- esteem and emotional health **
 * <span style="color: #df0c78; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">I. __Introduction__ **

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **II. __<span class="wiki_link_new">Few parents want to confront the issues of sexual promiscuity or inappropriate sexual behaviors in their children. __**

1. ** Easily influenced by peers. ** a. ** Peer Pressure ** i. **"Everybody's doing it" mentality** 2. ** More frequent risky behavior ** a. ** Drugs ** b. ** Unprotected sex ** 3. ** Leaves child misinformed ** a. ** Curiosity= Exploration **

1. ** Many sexual partners....bad reputation. ** 2. **HIV and AIDS...Cervical Cancer.** a. ** incurable and curable diseases ** i. ** Herpes; Hepatitis B ** ii. ** Syphilis; Gonorrhea ** 3. ** Becoming a parent too soon. ** i. ** Put a strain on long term goals. ** ii. ** Less likely to complete high school. **
 * III. __<span class="wiki_link_new">Risky teen behavior can lead to unplanned pregnancy and unwanted sexually transmitted diseases. __ **

1. ** Use sex as an outlet to release frustrations. ** a. ** Escape from reality ** b. ** "weapon" or defense ** 2. ** Long-term problems with intimate relationships. ** a. ** Marriage ** b. ** Serious relationships and commitments ** 3. **Emotional Confusion**   <span style="color: #df0c78; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">i. **<span style="color: #00ffff; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">low self esteem ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">ii. **<span style="color: #00ffff; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">belief that sex will make them happy/ feel more of a person <span style="color: #df0c78; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> V. <span style="color: #df0c78; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 121%;"> Conclusion ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. ** When parents don't confront risky behaviors, teens tend to engage in more risky behaviors. ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** High teen pregnancy rates and more statistics for sexually transmitted diseases. ** 3.  **<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Damages the emotional health of developing adolescents. **
 * IV. __ <span class="wiki_link_new">Teenagers who act out sexually tend to begin a diminished of value and self- esteem. __**