Teen Sexual Activity Causes Sexually Transmitted Diseases, AIDS, Pregnancy, and Emotional Trauma

Teen Sexual Activity Causes Sexually Transmitted Diseases, AIDS, Pregnancy, and Emotional Trauma

Set aside the moral imperatives, the screams and shouts of the conservative masses, the legislators on Capitol Hill who know what's best, and religious scripture that denounces physical pleasure and there exists a very basic premise: Human beings have a preoccupation with sex. It was once stated that "our concern with sex is innate, as much a part of is as the blood and bone with which we were born." An absolutely truthful statement, the subject of sex has become prevalent in today's society. Prevalent, because every aspect, voice, form of communication, law passed, and free thought, expresses the opinion on the subject. Maybe centuries of society's need for "sexual oppression" which led to the "sexual revolution" of the twentieth century, is the cause for the entrance of human sexuality into the mainstream.

Regardless of the when's, why's, and how's, the bottom line is that sex and the issues revolving, affect every human life, from pornography and abortion, teen pregnancy and laws concerning sexual violence. These heavily weighted issues that plague the minds of parents, lawmakers, teenagers, and religious leaders, often operate under the premise that everyone is having sex, and that no one believes in abstaining until marriage. So where is the lost voice that cries out and defends the small minority of young people that want to wait, and further doesn't anyone believe there are benefits to waiting to have sex? Those who condemn teenage sex and support abstinence are the same people who answer "yes" to the question. Unfortunately, that voice is not the voice that represents the teenage population. Young people who chose to wait have many different reasons why, and believe that there do exist positive effects of abstaining from sex until marriage.

One of the most important reasons young people wait, is to avoid the risk of poor or unfavorable physical health. Sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and AIDS are all factors that claim the lives of millions of people every year. Avoidance of these health risks is an incentive to young people and probably the most positive effect of abstaining. No one doubts that sexual desire and needs do not exist, but there are alternatives to sexual intercourse. Teenagers can have a very healthy and active physical relationship with their partner and not have sex. These activities, which can be just as satisfying, carry a 100% less risk factor that sexual intercourse.