Adolescents and Sexuality

Adolescence is an important time of growth and maturation in a person's life. During this time many changes take place in the body, and many adolescents begin exploring their sexuality. One of the decisions an adolescent must make is whether or not they will engage in sexual activity during this time. This is an important decision for adolescents, because of the pressure surrounding them. Adolescence is a time when sexuality is being discovered, and an adolescent must decide how to deal with these new feelings. Many factors can influence this decision.

REVIEW OF RESEARCH

Much research has been done regarding adolescents and sexuality. The topic has been looked at from many different angles. All of this research talks about different things that may affect an adolescent's decision on whether or not to engage in sexual activity. In this paper, sexual activity refers to sexual intercourse. Some of the different factors that may influence adolescent's decisions are influences from the media, the threat of STDs and pregnancy, use of drugs and alcohol, and general changes that can come after having sexual intercourse.

One of the major factors that have been researched regarding adolescents and sexuality is media influence. Because they are surrounded by it, adolescents are likely to be influenced by the sex filled media.

The media can be a very powerful source of influence on adolescents. One example of this that was mentioned in the book, Media, Sex and the Adolescent. It discusses the slogan "Make Love, Not War," that was introduced in the 1960's. This slogan was taken literally by many young people and led to a sexual revolution of sorts. They were influenced by a media slogan that seemed to give them the go ahead to engage in sexual activity (Greenburg, Brown and Buerkel-Rothfuss, 1993).

Following many studies, Greenburg, Brown & Buerkel-Rothfuss found many connections between watching television and movies with sexual content, and the sexual behavior of the adolescents watching it. They found that those who watched programs with sexual content tended to be more likely to be preoccupied with sex. They talked about it and thought about it more. It was also higher on their list of things they think are important. Regular viewers of sexual programs were also found to think that sex in various forms happens more frequently, than those who do not watch those programs.

Frequent watchers were also found to believe that they had a good knowledge of sex, and therefore would be able to counsel others on this matter. The study also showed that those who watched these programs believed sex happens most often outside of marriage, and that in marriage sex can be a rare thing. They also were found to think less of contraception and the negative consequences of sex, because these are rarely shown in the programming. Everything is beautiful, with passionate, swelling music to accompany the moment, or so they may think.

For an adolescent trying to make a choice on whether or not to engage in sexual activity, the media can be a very powerful influence on their decision. When an adolescent only sees sex as being passionate and fun, with no negative consequences, they can easily be swayed to believe that is the way things really are. Also, when an adolescent sees these things often and those images are preoccupying their thoughts, they are probably more likely to give in to their hormonal urges.

Another important factor that may influence an adolescent's decision about engaging in sexual activity is the threat of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy. Both of these can have long term and permanent consequences.

In a study entitled I Did What Last Night?!!! Adolescent Risky Sexual Behaviors and Substance Use (2002),the authors Michael Grossman and Sara Markowitz report that adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 have the second highest rate for unwanted pregnancy. Adolescents also have an extremely high risk of contracting STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. In the case of STDs, many of these diseases are incurable. An adolescent who contracts a STD may suffer the consequences from their sexual encounter for the rest of their life. AIDS is an especially serious STD that most adolescents are probably aware of, and there is no known cure for the illness.

In cases of pregnancy, the consequences can also last a lifetime. Even if a mother chooses to give the child up for adoption, that experience will probably affect her forever. In choosing to keep a child, a mother may have to give up plans of college and a successful career in order to care for the child.

Another factor that can influence an adolescent's decision regarding sex is drugs and alcohol. These substances can affect a person's judgment and reasoning skills, and therefore can be partially tied to an adolescent's decisions.

Studies have shown that alcohol and drug use can lead to more sexual activity. In their paper I Did What Last Night?!!! Adolescent Risky Sexual Behaviors and Substance Use (2002), Michael Grossman and Sara Markowitz discuss a study that found that heavy drinkers or marijuana users were more likely to have sex, and also were more likely to have more than one sexual partner. They went on to report that it is believed that drugs and alcohol can enhance sexual desires. This can greatly influence an adolescent that is already dealing with raging hormones. Though an adolescent may have made a decision previously that they would abstain from sexual activity, the influence of these substances can override that, impairing their judgment, and may result in very long term consequences.

Another important factor that can influence adolescents is the general consequences that can come from engaging in sexual activity.

In an article titled Sexual Behavior in Adolescence (2001), authors Brent Miller, Cynthia Christopherson and Pamela King, discuss some of the results of early sexual experience. Research has shown that after an adolescent has sex, their attitude becomes much more casual regarding sexual behavior and their actions can influence the friends they make. The research also showed that after engaging in sexual intercourse the male's grades dropped, and females had less of a desire to go to college. One of the extremely alarming findings from their research was that females who engaged in intercourse at an early age were more likely to begin their families outside of wedlock. All of these findings can be a major consideration for an adolescent deciding whether to engage in intercourse or not. Each of these consequences can have long-term affects. An adolescent suffering from bad grades or lack of a desire to go to college may have to deal with unemployment or poor employment later on. Females run the risk of being a single mother, having a family outside the bonds of marriage, and with that having to deal with the difficulties of finances in a single parent home.

IMPROVING OUR UNDERSTANDING

Though much research has been done regarding the factors that can influence an adolescent's choice about
sexual activity, there is much still that we can learn to improve our understanding. In order to improve our
understanding of adolescent sexuality we will look at their physiology, identity development and the influences of
religion, family and peers.

One aspect of adolescent development that may help us better understand their decisions regarding sexuality is by looking at their physiology. During adolescence puberty takes place. This is a time when an adolescent's sexual maturation becomes evident (McCoy, 2004, Fall). Girls and boys begin to develop in more evident ways, and sex hormones begin to be produced. An odd change takes place and suddenly the opposite sex does not seem so unappealing. It is during this time when many adolescents begin to feel attraction for each other, and their sexuality is becoming more apparent.

Adolescents are faced with a decision of what to do with these feelings they are experiencing with their bodily changes. It is important to understand that while there are many outward influences that can affect an adolescent's decision, they are also being influenced by their bodies. One example of these influences is the hypothalamus. This is a part of the brain where there is a concentration of sex hormones. This has been found to be involved in the expression of emotions and also in sexual desire and behavior (McCoy, 2004, Fall). For many adolescents, choosing whether or not to be sexually active may be a difficult decision. Those who choose to save sexual activity for later in life must overcome very strong feelings that are naturally occurring in their body. For adolescents who choose to engage in sexual activity, it may be because this feels like the natural thing to do, since their bodies are sending signals that seem to point in that direction.

Another important influence on adolescent's decisions regarding sexuality comes from religion. Religion is not an influence that applies to every person, but it does apply to a large number of adolescents. In a national study, it was found that those with a stronger level of religious commitment tended to have less sexual partners. They were also found to be more aware of the risks that can come from having unprotected sex (Santrock, 2003).

Religion can also be tied to an important area of influence, which is family. Often times when an adolescent is involved in religion it may be because the family is involved as a whole and they are forced to go. This of course does not apply in all cases, but it does in many. Regardless of why an adolescent attends church, what is important regarding religious influence is how personally committed the adolescent is. If they are just going through the motions, the influence is generally low (Santrock, 2003). Too often it is seen that an adolescent attends church, but does not apply any religious teachings to their life outside of the chapel. The influence of religion in an adolescent's decision about sexual activity applies, because many religions talk about sexual abstinence and consequences that can come from sex.

As was mentioned above, another important influence on adolescents and their sexual activity is their family. Parents are an especially important part of this influence. Most often it is considered a parent's job to teach their children about sex. How this is done can greatly influence an adolescent's decisions regarding their sexual activity. If a parent never sits down and discusses these things with them, they are more likely to get information from their peers, school or the media. This can be detrimental in many ways, because of the casualness with which the topic is often viewed. In the case of the media, it sends a very unrealistic view of sex, and if that is the only information an adolescent is getting about sex, that can lead them to view it in unhealthy ways. When they do not realize the reality of the act and the consequences that can come from engaging in sex too early in life, it can be treated very casually and result in heartbreaking consequences.

The influence of parents on an adolescent's decisions can be far reaching when parents intervene appropriately. Adolescents are at a critical point in life when they need guidance, though they often will not admit this. Though it can be uncomfortable at the time, a good, straightforward talk with a parent about sexuality can be very influential. However, for parents to maintain good influence on their adolescent they must continually demonstrate an interest in their child, show that they are willing to help, and they must practice what they preach (McCoy, 2004, Fall).

In making decisions regarding sexual activity, one very powerful influence on adolescents is their peers. Adolescence is a time when people are making new friends, making transitions from middle school to high school. It is a time when people want to feel accepted and part of a group. Oftentimes, in an attempt to fit in, adolescents will make decisions based on what their peers would do. This is sometimes the case regarding sexual activity. If it seems all of a person's peers are engaging in sexual activity, many adolescents may feel pressured to do the same, so that they can feel as if they are part of a group. An example of this can be found in a song by country artist Katrina Elam entitled "Normal". The first verse of this song refers to the pressure that people may feel to fit in. It says, "Everybody does it, that's what everybody says, as they smoke their cigarettes on Friday night. And if you're still a virgin by the time that you're a junior, then the rumor going 'round is you ain't right." The last sentence of this verse especially fits in with the pressures adolescents may feel to engage in sexual activity, just because their peers are doing it. Some of this pressure may be explained by David Elkind's theory of the imaginary audience that adolescents deal with. Adolescents have a tendency to feel that they are always being watched, and that people are extremely concerned with their actions (McCoy, 2004, Fall). Though this is often not the case, it can help us better understand why peers can seem to have such a big influence on the decisions adolescents make regarding sex.

Another aspect of adolescence that can help us better understand their decisions regarding sexual activity is the identity development that takes place during this time. As adolescents develop cognitively, they become more aware of the world around them and begin to explore who they are. It is a time when adolescents begin to take a stand on various issues (McCoy, 2004, Fall). During adolescence, one of the important issues they must take a stand on is sexuality and whether or not they will engage in it during this time. An adolescent's sense of identity can be a strong influence on their decision. If an adolescent does not have a strong sense of identity, they may be more easily swayed to engage in sexual activity with the belief that that will help them gain that strong sense of self. For an adolescent with a strong identity, they may feel less inclined to have sex, because they do not need to have themselves validated more.

Adolescence is a critical time in a person's life. In many ways this time changes lives forever by the decisions that are made and the experiences that are had. An adolescent's decisions regarding whether or not to engage in sexual activity is certainly no exception. Research has shown that adolescents are influenced in their decisions in many ways, and it is evident that their decisions can be tied to many different areas in their development, such as physiological changes, identity development and religious, family and peer influence.

References

Greenburg, B.S., Brown, J.D., & Buerkel-Rothfuss, N. (1993). Media, Sex and the Adolescent. New Jersey: Hampton Press, Inc.

Grossman, M., Markowitz, Sara. (2002). I Did What Last Night?!!! Adolescent Risky Sexual Behaviors and Substance Use. Massachusetts: National Bureau of Economic Research.

Miller, B.C., Benson, B., & Galbraith, K.A. (2001). Family relationships and adolescent pregnancy risk: A research synthesis. Developmental Review, 21, 1-38.

Santrock, J.W. (2005). Adolescence: Tenth Edition. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill

McCoy, J. K. (2004, Fall). Adolescent development in families and other social contexts (Lecture notes). Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University.