Sex is considered a taboo topic. For many reasons, it is not talked about enough in school. Reasons span from politicians being involved in what can and can not be taught in school regarding sex, parents not wanting their children to learn about this subject because it is explicit or teachers feeling uncomfortable talking to their students about it. However, avoiding the topic will not change the fact that students are already engaging in sexual behavior and are not being smart about it.
According to the Institute for Family, “40 percent of adolescents are engaging in sexual activity.”
While sexual activity is healthy, it is important that boundaries are set on both
ends. Overall, setting boundaries is a big part of an individual’s sex life. It is important to remember that engaging in sexual activity requires more than one person; and that all parties involved should be aware if something were wrong.
According to CDC.com, “There were 26 million new sexually transmitted diseases as of 2018 in the United States. About half of these infections are people of the age of 14 and 15.”
Overall, not using protection results in a realm of chaos. Whether it be STD’s/STI’s or
an unwanted pregnancy; all three are circumstances teens should not see as normal.
Sophomore Laila Atkins, feels that having sex at an early age is common amongst her peers.
“I feel like everyone my age feels that it is something normal,” said Atkins. “Guess what, it is not; people should be focused on grades and school not sex.”
Practicing safe sex also allows teens to take responsibility for their actions. Also, making smart and informed decisions about their bodies allows them to build healthy habits for their future relationships and be more aware of the repercussions of engaging in unprotected sex.
Neglecting the use of protection can lead to unwanted pregnancies. While using
Plan B is a route most young adults take after unprotected sex and is advertised as being effective 99.9% of the time, there is always that 1% chance that it will not work. However, Plan B is a precaution, not a birth control pill and should not be used as a “Plan A.”
It is impossible to outright ban teens from engaging in sexual activity. The bottom line is if you are a sexually active teen, remember to always wear protection, set boundaries, and think about the consequences that may come with it.
It may be awkward to talk to your parents about “The birds and the bees,” but don’t think you can solve your problems by popping plan b’s.
