The Teenager's View of Sex

Sex has always been a somewhat sensitive subject, especially among adolescents with raging hormones. As uncomfortable as the topic of sex is to teens, it's equally uncomfortable for their parents. Whether it's called the 'birds and bees' or 'the facts of life', sex is a discussion generally reserved for the rites of passage as children pass through puberty. These days, however, children are bombarded with sex in a variety of forms. It's no longer a taboo subject and is no longer restricted to teenagers.

Polls have been distributed to teens asking them what acts they consider as sex. Overwhelmingly, they stated that oral sex doesn't count as sex. They believe that actual intercourse is sex. This attitude seems pervasive and isn't limited to a particular class or race. And, as if to devalue the sexual act even more, sex is commonly referred to as 'hooking up'. If a couple hooks up, it simply means a casual sexual relationship. In this instance, each teen is free to go out with others. They are not exclusive, yet they don't like to consider themselves as promiscuous. After all, it's not sex, it's just hooking up.

All of this casual talk and attitude toward sex isn't entirely the fault of the teens. They've been exposed to sex their whole lives. From the time they were small children, they've seen sexually explicit TV shows, commercials and magazine ads. Even family TV shows and cartoons are laced with sexual innuendos. It's no wonder they grow up thinking of sex as nothing more than an insignificant part of life. It's nothing special. Sex used to be the act of making love. These days, I doubt very many people ever even say 'making love' anymore.

As if all of the inundation of sex isn't enough, the latest clothing fashions ooze sex, even for little children. Swim suits are skimpier than ever and very short mini-skirts are all the rage. For teenagers, current fashions are a must. They have such a desire to fit in that they will wear whatever is considered popular at the time. Lately, girls clothing has become flimsy, strapless or nearly strapless. It's no longer considered bad manners to let bra straps show and most of the girls in high school now wear thongs. A thong used to be something a stripper would wear, not a teenage girl. Thongs were a sexual item, but now they're just a common item of underwear.

This casual attitude about sex is of concern not only to parents, but to educators, counselors and the medical profession as well. Since teens don't see any problem with having oral sex or intercourse on a casual basis, they generally don't think of contraceptives. It seems obvious that more education is needed to get through to these children that sex should be taken seriously and 'hooking up' isn't a game to be played lightly.