Sex and the Teenager

[Rattley]

The general consensus among adults is that teenagers shouldn't engage in sex. Some reasons they use are pregnancy, STDs, and the sin of adultery. But science has come to the point where the chances of the first two are extremely low if proper precaution is taken. Condoms can stave of STDs and pregnancy, and they're available for both men and women. And besides that, when it comes to pregnancy, we have birth control, the morning pill, and abortion, though the last one might not be a real option for some time.

So the first two are easily solved. But what about that last one? We know that the U.S. is full of many people who identify themselves as Christians. There are certain parts of the Bible that they hold dear, and wouldn't dare break. At least, in an everyday situation. But when it comes to sex, I think that a majority of them are quite lax.

Guttmacher Institute Statistic; 2012
NCBI Trend in Premarital Sex; 1953-2003

This one here's for any who say Christian kids don't.
Christianity Today Article - Teenage Sex

As we can see, premarital sex is quite common, even among those of faith. The thing is, here in America, we seem to ignore this fact. Many people tell their children not to have sex and never bring it back up. In sex ed classes, children are taught the same thing year after year. That men has sperm, women have ovaries, that if you have sex you can get pregnant and STDs. But never does anyone acknowledge that teenagers do have sex and they do get pregnant and spread STDs. Most sex ed classes don't even pass out condoms. It seems the adult population chooses to close their eyes.

My question is this. Do you think that parents and other adults in the life of teenagers should prohibit sex? Or should they instead acknowledge that they do and give teenagers the means to it safely? Also, whatever your stance, do you think it is a matter or morals, ethics, or logic?

[Moses Yoder]

I would never prohibit my daughters from having sex. Once they are teenagers they are practically adults and are intelligent enough to make up their own minds, given the truth of the matter. My wife taught our daughters that at an early age like that boys just want to have sex and once they do will move on to the next girl or conquest. My daughters were taught that if a boy actually loves them and is able to control his sex drive he will have no problem waiting until after they are married. Now they are set free to make their own decisions with the full understanding that they are responsible for the result of those decisions. If they have sex with someone and he runs off and leaves them with a baby they will have to take care of it, or if they get an abortion they will have to live with that decision the rest of their lives. It's up to them.

[connermt]

My question is this. Do you think that parents and other adults in the life of teenagers should prohibit sex? Or should they instead acknowledge that they do and give teenagers the means to it safely? Also, whatever your stance, do you think it is a matter or morals, ethics, or logic?

Prohibit it in teenagers? Yes and no, but it depends on the maturity of the individuals in question. For an immature teenager that doesn't fully understand it and what it entails living in my home without the means to help support themselves/baby in that scenario, YES.
Once they reach a reasonable maturity level prohibiting it may make it all the more enticing.
Whichever way, knowledge is powerful. When applied properly, it becomes even more powerful. It will allow them to make (for the most part) wise decisions.
When it comes to teenager sex drive, logic seems to go out the window most times. So they need to rely on the morals and ethics you have (hopefully) instilled in them while growing up.

[bluethread]

My question is this. Do you think that parents and other adults in the life of teenagers should prohibit sex? Or should they instead acknowledge that they do and give teenagers the means to it safely? Also, whatever your stance, do you think it is a matter or morals, ethics, or logic?

The question is reallly a parenting question and not a sex question. Let's look at the the question this way.

Do you think that parents and other adults in the life of teenagers should prohibit _____?

Fill in the blank. Smoking, drinking, using drugs recreationally, plunging a knife into one's eyeball, . . .

One can only truly prohibit things as long as one has the capability to control access. If by prohibit one means use one's authority as a parent to influence, of course. That is part of what it means to be a parent. Another, more important part is to teach one's children about actions and consequences as Moses Yoder has pointed out.

This is a matter of morals, ethics, and logic, and it is a parents resposibility to teach all of those things to their children. The "They will do it anyway." argument says as much about the irresponsible parent as it does the irresponsible young adult. I say young adult, because I believe that the idea of a "teenager" is also the invention of irresponsible parenting.

[Goat]

I would never prohibit my daughters from having sex. Once they are teenagers they are practically adults and are intelligent enough to make up their own minds, given the truth of the matter. My wife taught our daughters that at an early age like that boys just want to have sex and once they do will move on to the next girl or conquest. My daughters were taught that if a boy actually loves them and is able to control his sex drive he will have no problem waiting until after they are married. Now they are set free to make their own decisions with the full understanding that they are responsible for the result of those decisions. If they have sex with someone and he runs off and leaves them with a baby they will have to take care of it, or if they get an abortion they will have to live with that decision the rest of their lives. It's up to them.

Do you at least give them (or have your wife discuss), the knowledge they need to make an informed decision, such as protection from disease, birth control, and the little bit of understanding teen boys in particularly only have enough blood to fill one head at a time? .. and that , well, boys lie to have sex ?

[bluethread]

Do you at least give them (or have your wife discuss), the knowledge they need to make an informed decision, such as protection from disease, birth control, and the little bit of understanding teen boys in particularly only have enough blood to fill one head at a time? .. and that , well, boys lie to have sex ?

Yes, like telling your sons that, after they reliquish custody of their bodily fluids, the next 20 years of their lives are subject to the whim of the female to whom they reliquished that custody, not to mention the government agencies and lawyers that see it as their mission to make the lives of animals like them a living hell.

[100%atheist]

My question is this. Do you think that parents and other adults in the life of teenagers should prohibit sex? Or should they instead acknowledge that they do and give teenagers the means to it safely? Also, whatever your stance, do you think it is a matter or morals, ethics, or logic?

First, you claim you are 18. May I ask you if you have a story attached to your question?

I have two children. I would not care about them having sex at all (after some 17-18 years or so) and I will talk about sex, safe sex, etc. with them probably before they reach 12 and thereafter. However, I would prohibit relationships, which I consider dangerous, illegal, too distructive, etc.

In other words, sex is less important (and less dangerous) than relationships.

[100%atheist]

Do you at least give them (or have your wife discuss), the knowledge they need to make an informed decision, such as protection from disease, birth control, and the little bit of understanding teen boys in particularly only have enough blood to fill one head at a time? .. and that , well, boys lie to have sex ?

Yes, like telling your sons that, after they reliquish custody of their bodily fluids, the next 20 years of their lives are subject to the whim of the female to whom they reliquished that custody, not to mention the government agencies and lawyers that see it as their mission to make the lives of animals like them a living hell.

Wow. And all this because of not using a piece of cheap latex or a pill.

[Dantalion]

yes because actively prohibiting teenagers anything is the way to go

[Goat]

Do you at least give them (or have your wife discuss), the knowledge they need to make an informed decision, such as protection from disease, birth control, and the little bit of understanding teen boys in particularly only have enough blood to fill one head at a time? .. and that , well, boys lie to have sex ?

Yes, like telling your sons that, after they reliquish custody of their bodily fluids, the next 20 years of their lives are subject to the whim of the female to whom they reliquished that custody, not to mention the government agencies and lawyers that see it as their mission to make the lives of animals like them a living hell.

Oh yes, that works just so well. Ask Bristol and Trevor.