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What's Love Got to Do With It?
Teens speak out about sex By Carma Haley
These days, teens are maturing faster than ever before. As young as age 13, they are taking responsibility for birth control -- compared to age 16 only 10 years ago -- reports Planned Parenthood, a national family planning organization. Despite this surge in birth control use, teen births have increased by 15 percent since 1994.
Do these statistics suggest a change in teenagers' attitudes toward sex, or do they simply track the choices teens have made? Perhaps the question is answered best by the teens themselves.
The thoughts teens share with their parents about sex may not be the same thoughts they share with their friends. According to Planned Parenthood, teens are more comfortable talking to a friend or medical professional about sex than they are talking with their parents. Yet the following interviews with teens showed the opposite to be true.
"[My parents] started talking to me about sex when I was 11 or so," says Kristen, 13, from Vancouver, Wash. "My parents and I are still talking about it now. They didn't seem nervous, but I was nervous -- and still am nervous sometimes. But they helped put me at ease and I feel comfortable talking to them about it."
Alaina, a 13-year-old from Batavia, Ill., says her mom approached her to talk about sex. "She never forced the subject," Alaina says. "She did mention things about [sex] to me from time to time showing even further what a great Mom she is. We do talk about sex sometimes, but more in a joking way or about how it's a big part of the plot on some movies. I'm comfortable with it."
"I think the teens that have become sexually active have made the decision and, once you do, you can't take it back," says Chessy, 16, from Summit, N.J. "A lot of the time teens do it because they think that's what everyone else is doing, when in fact that's not true at all."
Mallory, a 17-year-old from Leaf River, Ill. says sex comes with responsibility and choices. "I don't think that any [teen] is really 'ready' for sex," she says. "I don't think that putting my life -- school, sports, friends, jobs, clubs, etc. -- on hold to deal with a disease or pregnancy is worth having sex with someone who you will probably never see again, end up breaking up with because you got pregnant, or going through emotional distress over."
