April 18, 2010
As statistics are constantly being updated, researches still strive to collect the most accurate data. According to recent data, by the tenth grade, 40 to 50% of American adolescents have engaged in sexual intercourse. What is concerning is that by the age of 20, about 80% of Americans are no longer virgins. As the previous post stated, “the United States teen birth rate is higher than in European countries.” Teen birth rates are more common in Low socio-economic status areas. The United States’ poverty rates are also higher than other developed countries. So we can take this information and tie it to the one of the four ways peers can influence one another. If we want to raise awareness for this topic, we must begin to create a medium through which we can get the message across.
-Nationwide, 14.3% of high school students have had sexual intercourse with four or more persons during their life. Overall, the prevalence of having had sexual intercourse with four or more persons was higher among male students (16.5%) than female students (12.0%) (Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2010).
-Among the 33.9% of currently sexually active high school students nationwide, 23.3% had drunk alcohol or used drugs before their last sexual intercourse.
(National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2010).
- Fifty-two percent (52%) of teens report that they have sexually active friends.
(National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2010).
- Currently 46.8% of all high school students report they have had sexual intercourse. The percentage of - high school students who have had sex decreased 13.3% between 1991 and 2005 (54% to 46.8%) (Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2010).
"Youth Risk Behavior". National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. April 18th 2010 .
Comparing United States to Other Countries
April 12, 2010
Teenage sex is a growing threat to adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Nevertheless, the adolescent sexual rate is lower in other countries than in the United States. For instance, according Michelle Rotermann, among Canada’s teens that are sexually active, 36 % are 16 to 17-year-olds, 13 percent are 14 to 15-year-olds, and two percent are under 14 years old. However, according to Rice (2008), 49% of American teenagers have engaged in sexual intercourse. Furthermore, 5 to 10% are 13 year-old girls. By age 15, 20% of girls have had sexual intercourse. By the tenth grade, 40% of girls and 45% of boys have had sexual intercourse. However, Yuri Amirkhanian, Dennis Tiunov, and Jeffrey Kelly (2001) state that in Russia, 39% of teens had engaged in sexual intercourse.
Kuortti and Kosunen (2009), state that teens are at risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, and in the United States 50% of all sexually transmitted disease cases are from adolescents and young adults (Rice, 2008). Among adolescents, gonorrhea is the second most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Gonorrhea is 33 times greater in the United States than in the Netherlands. Adolescence in the United States are 19 times more likely to be infected with chlamydia than teenagers in the Netherlands. Syphilis infections among teens in the United States are twice those found in teens in the Netherlands (Berne and Huberman, 1999).
In addition teenage pregnancy is another risk factor for teenagers engaging in sexual intercourse. The United States teen birth rate is higher than in European countries. According to Berne and Huberman (1999), the United States teen pregnancy rate is six times that of the Netherlands, and almost four times that of Germany and three time that of France (USA 72.2%, France 25.7%, Germany 18.8% and the Netherlands 11.8%). In fact, the US abortion rate is more than twice that of Germany and the Netherlands. The United States birth rate is nine times higher than the Netherlands, six times higher than France, and four times higher than Germany's.
Amirkhanian, Y. A., Tiunov, D. V., & Kelly, J. A. (2001). Risk factor for HIV and other
Berne, L., and B. Huberman. "European Approach to Adolescents Sexual Behavior and
Kuortti, M., & Kosunen, E. (2009). Risk-taking behavior is more frequent in
Rice, F. P. (2008). The adolescent (12th addition ed.). United States of America: Pearson.
Rotermann, M. "Trends in Teen Sexual Behavior and Condom Use." Health Report
By Janice
Parental Impact on Premarital Sex
April 16, 2010
One of the most hated conversations that parents talk about having with their children is the one about sex. So hated that many parents don't even have the conversation, and if they do, it is mostly about changes in the body due to puberty (Rice & Dolgin, 2008). While this conversation can be difficult, it does not need to be scary. Also, the first time that sex is brought up it should not be when a child is already dating and may already be sexually active.
According to Havard (n.d.), the conversation should actually be several discussions beginning when the child is very young and when he or she starts asking about the names of their body parts. When the child asks for the name of a private body part, the answer should be given the same way as if the child had asked what their nose is called. This shows them that their question was normal. When the child is a little older, the next conversation can be about appropriate behavior in public, such as telling a little boy he should not grab his penis in public (this conversation may have to occur several times). As children are approaching puberty, it is time to discuss the changes that will occur in their body. Hopefully, this open and honest communication will encourage an adolescent to come to their parent with any questions about sexuality.
Research has shown that an open relationship, like the one mentioned, does encourage adolescents to delay the age at which they first have intercourse (Rice & Dolgin, 2008). Also, having a conversation about sex does not increase sexual experimentation. It does, however, increase the chance that if a teen has sex it will be safe sex.
Rules and curfews are definitely a deterrent to early sexuality. Rice and Dolgin (2008) reported that being too strict can have the opposite effect. Other deterrents to early sexuality are a parent’s expectation that their children get a higher education, and the presence of the adolescent’s father, especially if the adolescent is a girl.
Havard, M. (n.d.). Talking to your kids about, ahem, you know what (S.E.X.). Advocates for Youth. Retrieved April 14, 2010. From http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1542&Itemid=206
Rice, F. & Dolgin, K. (2008). The adolescent: Development, relationships, and Culture (12th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
One of the most hated conversations that parents talk about having with their children is the one about sex. So hated that many parents don't even have the conversation, and if they do, it is mostly about changes in the body due to puberty (Rice & Dolgin, 2008). While this conversation can be difficult, it does not need to be scary. Also, the first time that sex is brought up it should not be when a child is already dating and may already be sexually active.
According to Havard (n.d.), the conversation should actually be several discussions beginning when the child is very young and when he or she starts asking about the names of their body parts. When the child asks for the name of a private body part, the answer should be given the same way as if the child had asked what their nose is called. This shows them that their question was normal. When the child is a little older, the next conversation can be about appropriate behavior in public, such as telling a little boy he should not grab his penis in public (this conversation may have to occur several times). As children are approaching puberty, it is time to discuss the changes that will occur in their body. Hopefully, this open and honest communication will encourage an adolescent to come to their parent with any questions about sexuality.
Research has shown that an open relationship, like the one mentioned, does encourage adolescents to delay the age at which they first have intercourse (Rice & Dolgin, 2008). Also, having a conversation about sex does not increase sexual experimentation. It does, however, increase the chance that if a teen has sex it will be safe sex.
Rules and curfews are definitely a deterrent to early sexuality. Rice and Dolgin (2008) reported that being too strict can have the opposite effect. Other deterrents to early sexuality are a parent’s expectation that their children get a higher education, and the presence of the adolescent’s father, especially if the adolescent is a girl.
Havard, M. (n.d.). Talking to your kids about, ahem, you know what (S.E.X.). Advocates for Youth. Retrieved April 14, 2010. From http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1542&Itemid=206
Rice, F. & Dolgin, K. (2008). The adolescent: Development, relationships, and Culture (12th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Peer Influence on an Adolescent's Sexual Behavior: Do Peers Have an Influence?
April 9, 2010
An adolescent’s decision to engage in sexual intercourse may be influenced by many different variables, one of which is their friends. Several studies have indicated that peer’s sexual attitudes are closely associated with an adolescent’s sexual behaviors (Raffaelli & Crockett, 2003). Similarly, evidence suggests that one of the most consistent predictors of an adolescent’s risky behavior is whether the individual has friends who also engage in that behavior (King & Furrow, 2004). In addition, peer pressure, specifically negative peer pressure, may increase risk taking, such as engaging in sexual behaviors (Jaccard, Blanton, & Dodge, 2005). Such evidence has lead researchers to conclude that an adolescent’s sexual behavior is influenced by their peers.
An adolescent’s relationship with his or her best friend has been found to be of the most importance when determining the amount of influence peers have on an individual’s decision to engage in pre-marital sex. An adolescent’s predisposition to risky behavior is a factor in and of itself when determining the likelihood of engaging in pre-marital sex, but because adolescents befriend those who have similar qualities and characteristics, the chances of engaging in risky sexual behavior may increase. In addition, the influence of peers has more of an effect when the adolescent’s relationship with their parents has been strained (Jaccard, Blanton, & Dodge, 2005).
It was found in a recent study that the odds of an adolescent engaging in pre-marital sex increased 1.65 times when his or her best friend had engaged in such behavior (Jaccard, Blanton, & Dodge, 2005). Considering that best friends have the most influence on an adolescent’s risk-taking behavior, this statistic is rather small in the overall picture of factors that influence an adolescent’s behavior. It is widely known that peers have influence on one’s choice in music, clothing, and extracurricular activities. However, when it comes to risk behaviors, such as engaging in pre-marital sex, peer influence may not be enough to persuade an adolescent’s decision when the decision is one that may be deeply rooted in personal values. These findings may lead one to conclude that although peer influence may be a factor in an adolescent’s decision to engage in sexual activity, it is not as powerful of an influence as previously thought.
King, P. E., & Furrow, J. L. (2004). Religion as a resource for positive youth development: Religion, social, capital, and moral outcomes. Developmental Psychology, 40(5), 703-713.
Jaccard, J., Blanton, H., & Dodge, T. (2005). Peer influences on risk behavior: An analysis of the effects of a close friend. Developmental Psychology, 41(1), 135-147.
Raffaelli, M., & Crokett, L. J. (2003). Sexual risk taking in adolescence: The role of self-regulation and attraction to risk. Developmental Psychology, 39(6), 1036-1046.
An adolescent’s decision to engage in sexual intercourse may be influenced by many different variables, one of which is their friends. Several studies have indicated that peer’s sexual attitudes are closely associated with an adolescent’s sexual behaviors (Raffaelli & Crockett, 2003). Similarly, evidence suggests that one of the most consistent predictors of an adolescent’s risky behavior is whether the individual has friends who also engage in that behavior (King & Furrow, 2004). In addition, peer pressure, specifically negative peer pressure, may increase risk taking, such as engaging in sexual behaviors (Jaccard, Blanton, & Dodge, 2005). Such evidence has lead researchers to conclude that an adolescent’s sexual behavior is influenced by their peers.
An adolescent’s relationship with his or her best friend has been found to be of the most importance when determining the amount of influence peers have on an individual’s decision to engage in pre-marital sex. An adolescent’s predisposition to risky behavior is a factor in and of itself when determining the likelihood of engaging in pre-marital sex, but because adolescents befriend those who have similar qualities and characteristics, the chances of engaging in risky sexual behavior may increase. In addition, the influence of peers has more of an effect when the adolescent’s relationship with their parents has been strained (Jaccard, Blanton, & Dodge, 2005).
It was found in a recent study that the odds of an adolescent engaging in pre-marital sex increased 1.65 times when his or her best friend had engaged in such behavior (Jaccard, Blanton, & Dodge, 2005). Considering that best friends have the most influence on an adolescent’s risk-taking behavior, this statistic is rather small in the overall picture of factors that influence an adolescent’s behavior. It is widely known that peers have influence on one’s choice in music, clothing, and extracurricular activities. However, when it comes to risk behaviors, such as engaging in pre-marital sex, peer influence may not be enough to persuade an adolescent’s decision when the decision is one that may be deeply rooted in personal values. These findings may lead one to conclude that although peer influence may be a factor in an adolescent’s decision to engage in sexual activity, it is not as powerful of an influence as previously thought.
King, P. E., & Furrow, J. L. (2004). Religion as a resource for positive youth development: Religion, social, capital, and moral outcomes. Developmental Psychology, 40(5), 703-713.
Jaccard, J., Blanton, H., & Dodge, T. (2005). Peer influences on risk behavior: An analysis of the effects of a close friend. Developmental Psychology, 41(1), 135-147.
Raffaelli, M., & Crokett, L. J. (2003). Sexual risk taking in adolescence: The role of self-regulation and attraction to risk. Developmental Psychology, 39(6), 1036-1046.
Media's Affect on Premarital Sex
April 16, 2010
A lot of people blame the media for the effects it has had on premarital sex. A lot of its influence has to do with peers. Different types of adolescent friends tend to behave in the same manner when they are all together. There are four ways that peers can influence each other’s behaviors. The first one is through peer pressure, second is through normative expectations. Normative expectations is the term used when a specific behavior is expected of them. The third is through structuring opportunities, and the final way is modeling. Structural opportunities are when the opportunities arise to which someone can act upon (Schonert-Reichl, K.A). One specific example can be avoiding paying for a candy bar. Modeling is the actual act itself. For example, actually taking from the shelf and stashing it inside one’s pocket (Lesnick, H). This specific information can be interpreted by understanding the impact of the mass media on adolescents. One major example is how MTV and other Music oriented TV listing have an enormous impact on premarital sex. A lot of the music videos that they air portray women in revealing outfits, and this contributes to the effects of mass media’s influence on premarital sex rates. Women shaking their “goods” in celebratory fashion have created controversy across high school dances in America. Just take this video for example that was aired in September 2006 by “The Ying Yang Twins.”
Lesnick, H. (200) "Contestested Premises and Practices". The Moral Stake in Education. Boston:
Schonert-Reichl, K.A. (1999) “Relations of Peer Acceptance, Friendship Adjustment, and social Behavior to Moral Reasoning during early Adolescence” Journal of Early Adolescents, 19, 249-279
By Mauricio
A lot of people blame the media for the effects it has had on premarital sex. A lot of its influence has to do with peers. Different types of adolescent friends tend to behave in the same manner when they are all together. There are four ways that peers can influence each other’s behaviors. The first one is through peer pressure, second is through normative expectations. Normative expectations is the term used when a specific behavior is expected of them. The third is through structuring opportunities, and the final way is modeling. Structural opportunities are when the opportunities arise to which someone can act upon (Schonert-Reichl, K.A). One specific example can be avoiding paying for a candy bar. Modeling is the actual act itself. For example, actually taking from the shelf and stashing it inside one’s pocket (Lesnick, H). This specific information can be interpreted by understanding the impact of the mass media on adolescents. One major example is how MTV and other Music oriented TV listing have an enormous impact on premarital sex. A lot of the music videos that they air portray women in revealing outfits, and this contributes to the effects of mass media’s influence on premarital sex rates. Women shaking their “goods” in celebratory fashion have created controversy across high school dances in America. Just take this video for example that was aired in September 2006 by “The Ying Yang Twins.”
Lesnick, H. (200) "Contestested Premises and Practices". The Moral Stake in Education. Boston:
Schonert-Reichl, K.A. (1999) “Relations of Peer Acceptance, Friendship Adjustment, and social Behavior to Moral Reasoning during early Adolescence” Journal of Early Adolescents, 19, 249-279
By Mauricio
Impact of Religion on an Adolescent's Sexual Behavior
April 15, 2010
Over the last few decades, God has been removed from schools in America, but He remains a very important part of life to many Adolescents and their families. As many Americans are aware, sex before marriage is a sin. To those who believe and either attend a church or are involved with the church, it is important to please God and adhere to the standard of waiting until marriage. It influences their decision to remain abstinent.
Adolescents who attend a religious institution are less likely to encounter issues with both sexual promiscuity and substance abuse (Wills, Gibbons, Gerrard, Murry, & Brody, 2003). This is not implying that merely going to church decreases the odds of an adolescent engaging in pre-marital sex, but rather that youth who have made a commitment to their religion and vows, such as abstinence, are less likely to engage in adolescent sexual behavior. In a study conducted on adolescents and their religiosity, parent-child communication, and gender (as well as a few other factors) to determine if they had any effect on their sexual behavior, it was found that only the child’s religiosity had a direct, positive effect on their sexual behavior (Wills et al., 2003). Other factors had indirect effects, but the adolescent’s faith showed to have a direct link to refraining from pre-marital sex.
Religious affiliation and religiousness is not only associated with a lower prevalence for pre-marital sex, but it also serves as a protective factor against delinquent behavior in general. It also is related to more pro-social attitudes, a better self-concept, and better coping mechanisms (King & Furrow, 2004). All of these positive benefits of religiousness in an adolescent will help him or her to make better decisions about sexual activity, and reduce their chances of facing an unplanned pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
King, P. E., & Furrow, J. L. (2004). Religion as a resource for positive youth development: Religion, social, capital, and moral outcomes. Developmental Psychology, 40(5), 703-713.
Wills, T. A., Gibbons, F. X., Gerrard, M., Murray, M., & Brody, G. H. (2003). Family communication and religiosity related to substance use and sexual behavior in early adolescence: A test for pathways through self-control and prototype perceptions. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 17(4), 312-323.
Over the last few decades, God has been removed from schools in America, but He remains a very important part of life to many Adolescents and their families. As many Americans are aware, sex before marriage is a sin. To those who believe and either attend a church or are involved with the church, it is important to please God and adhere to the standard of waiting until marriage. It influences their decision to remain abstinent.
Adolescents who attend a religious institution are less likely to encounter issues with both sexual promiscuity and substance abuse (Wills, Gibbons, Gerrard, Murry, & Brody, 2003). This is not implying that merely going to church decreases the odds of an adolescent engaging in pre-marital sex, but rather that youth who have made a commitment to their religion and vows, such as abstinence, are less likely to engage in adolescent sexual behavior. In a study conducted on adolescents and their religiosity, parent-child communication, and gender (as well as a few other factors) to determine if they had any effect on their sexual behavior, it was found that only the child’s religiosity had a direct, positive effect on their sexual behavior (Wills et al., 2003). Other factors had indirect effects, but the adolescent’s faith showed to have a direct link to refraining from pre-marital sex.
Religious affiliation and religiousness is not only associated with a lower prevalence for pre-marital sex, but it also serves as a protective factor against delinquent behavior in general. It also is related to more pro-social attitudes, a better self-concept, and better coping mechanisms (King & Furrow, 2004). All of these positive benefits of religiousness in an adolescent will help him or her to make better decisions about sexual activity, and reduce their chances of facing an unplanned pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
King, P. E., & Furrow, J. L. (2004). Religion as a resource for positive youth development: Religion, social, capital, and moral outcomes. Developmental Psychology, 40(5), 703-713.
Wills, T. A., Gibbons, F. X., Gerrard, M., Murray, M., & Brody, G. H. (2003). Family communication and religiosity related to substance use and sexual behavior in early adolescence: A test for pathways through self-control and prototype perceptions. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 17(4), 312-323.
Sex Drive
April 16, 2010
Teenagers are preoccupied with sex to some degree, and this preoccupation severs as powerful fuel for their sex drive. Furthermore, most teenagers are not quite sure about what to do with their sexual feelings. According to Amirkhanian, Tiunov, and Kelly (2001), adolescent sexual desire stems from strong feelings of love for their partner. The feeling of love was given by 54% of sexually active teens. However teenage girls were more likely to give this response than boys. The feeling of love is the most common reason for having sex in the United States and other European Countries. The second reason for teen sexual desire is doing something unusual to a partner. Thirty-seven percent of sexually active teens reported this reason for having sex. Twenty percent stated that using and doing something unusual to themselves was reported as reasons for their sexual activity. As stated above, drugs and alcohol intensify a teen’s sex drive, which also increases their sexual risk-taking.
Amirkhanian, Y. A., Tiunov, D. V., & Kelly, J. A. (2001). Risk factors for HIV and other. sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents in St. Petersburg, Russia. Family Planning Perspectives, 33(3).
By Janice
Teenagers are preoccupied with sex to some degree, and this preoccupation severs as powerful fuel for their sex drive. Furthermore, most teenagers are not quite sure about what to do with their sexual feelings. According to Amirkhanian, Tiunov, and Kelly (2001), adolescent sexual desire stems from strong feelings of love for their partner. The feeling of love was given by 54% of sexually active teens. However teenage girls were more likely to give this response than boys. The feeling of love is the most common reason for having sex in the United States and other European Countries. The second reason for teen sexual desire is doing something unusual to a partner. Thirty-seven percent of sexually active teens reported this reason for having sex. Twenty percent stated that using and doing something unusual to themselves was reported as reasons for their sexual activity. As stated above, drugs and alcohol intensify a teen’s sex drive, which also increases their sexual risk-taking.
Amirkhanian, Y. A., Tiunov, D. V., & Kelly, J. A. (2001). Risk factors for HIV and other. sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents in St. Petersburg, Russia. Family Planning Perspectives, 33(3).
By Janice
Sexting...The New Fad..
April 16,2010
Sexting is a form of texting. Since 2005, the new term "sexting" has taken the form of regular texting to new heights. Normally, texting features in most cell phones are exactly that: a way to send short messages that the person can respond too if he or she has that active feature in their phone. As cell phone technology has advanced, texting has involved more than just words. Now you can receive video and pictures through text messaging services. With every new generation, there is always a new fad of some sort. For this new "geno" generation, that fad would be sexting.
Sexting involves sending sexually explicit messages and or pictures or videos via the internet and cell phone, but primarily mobile phones. Sexting is considered to be a new age of "sex" (Cosmogirl, 2008). This affects more than the body. It also affects the mind and emotions of already hormone induced teens who are looking for guidance and the next big thing to do. For most teens, the conventional form of sex is out of the question, so this is a way to engage, and not engage, quietly and away from parental scrutiny. Most parents have no idea that this type of behavior is going on with their teens. It came to light only recently, and the media was all over it. In a way, it’s a godsend for most parents to have something else to look out for with their kids, and some probably would take the lesser of the two evils and say, "well, at least they are not actually having sex."
Even though this might seem completely harmless, legally people have been charged as both juveniles and adults as a result of sexting. In most states, if the teens that are sending and receiving are underage, it is considered child pornography. A boy sent a picture of his own genitals to his female classmates and was charged with felony obscenity. Girls have sent nude pictures of themselves to older boys, and the boys, while innocent, were still charged with child pornography because of the girl's age. Untold riots and fights have broken out among teen groups due to "private" pictures being distributed to other students without permission, causing humility and embarrassment, which may lead to hostility and aggression. While sexting has not been proven to be the leading cause of premarital sex among adolescents, it can and has contributed to it. One out of five teenagers either have received or sent inappropriate pictures or videos of themselves. However, it has been found that teens who establish good relationships with their parents or a trusted guardian have a tendency to be more open about these issues (Rice & Dolgin, 2008). Parents need to talk to their teens about how socially and emotionally damaging sexting can be. The consequences are not worth the risk, and in some cases the consequences are permanent.
CosmoGirl (2008) Retrieved April,12 2010, from http:// www.cosmogirl.com
Rice, F. & Dolgin, K. (2008). The adolescent: Development, relationships, and Culture (12th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Sexting is a form of texting. Since 2005, the new term "sexting" has taken the form of regular texting to new heights. Normally, texting features in most cell phones are exactly that: a way to send short messages that the person can respond too if he or she has that active feature in their phone. As cell phone technology has advanced, texting has involved more than just words. Now you can receive video and pictures through text messaging services. With every new generation, there is always a new fad of some sort. For this new "geno" generation, that fad would be sexting.
Sexting involves sending sexually explicit messages and or pictures or videos via the internet and cell phone, but primarily mobile phones. Sexting is considered to be a new age of "sex" (Cosmogirl, 2008). This affects more than the body. It also affects the mind and emotions of already hormone induced teens who are looking for guidance and the next big thing to do. For most teens, the conventional form of sex is out of the question, so this is a way to engage, and not engage, quietly and away from parental scrutiny. Most parents have no idea that this type of behavior is going on with their teens. It came to light only recently, and the media was all over it. In a way, it’s a godsend for most parents to have something else to look out for with their kids, and some probably would take the lesser of the two evils and say, "well, at least they are not actually having sex."
Even though this might seem completely harmless, legally people have been charged as both juveniles and adults as a result of sexting. In most states, if the teens that are sending and receiving are underage, it is considered child pornography. A boy sent a picture of his own genitals to his female classmates and was charged with felony obscenity. Girls have sent nude pictures of themselves to older boys, and the boys, while innocent, were still charged with child pornography because of the girl's age. Untold riots and fights have broken out among teen groups due to "private" pictures being distributed to other students without permission, causing humility and embarrassment, which may lead to hostility and aggression. While sexting has not been proven to be the leading cause of premarital sex among adolescents, it can and has contributed to it. One out of five teenagers either have received or sent inappropriate pictures or videos of themselves. However, it has been found that teens who establish good relationships with their parents or a trusted guardian have a tendency to be more open about these issues (Rice & Dolgin, 2008). Parents need to talk to their teens about how socially and emotionally damaging sexting can be. The consequences are not worth the risk, and in some cases the consequences are permanent.
CosmoGirl (2008) Retrieved April,12 2010, from http:// www.cosmogirl.com
Rice, F. & Dolgin, K. (2008). The adolescent: Development, relationships, and Culture (12th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Sexuality in Adolescents with Disabilities
April 17, 2010
When it comes to sexuality, adolescents with disabilities are not much different than their non-disabled peers. A common misconception is that people who have developmental disabilities will never develop into sexually active adults (Sexuality, 2005). The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (2010) has a list of links to different websites that have materials designed for talking about sexuality with adolescents who have various disabilities. In general the information that needs to be taught to disabled adolescents is the same as what is taught to non-disabled peers, but in some cases there are specific challenges unique to the disability. For example, issues with social skills associated with autism would pose particular challenges. Developmental disabilities would require an adjustment in the age of which certain aspects of sexuality are taught.
The risk of sexual abuse doubles for a disabled adolescent in comparison to a non-disabled peer (Sexuality, 2005). Unfortunately, only about 3% of their attackers will be caught. Van Dyke, McBrien, and Sherbondy (1995) mention that things such as communication deficits, transient caregivers, and isolation could be contributing to the high levels of abuse, particularly among adolescents with Down syndrome. Those same reasons could apply to several other disabled groups, such as children with cerebral palsy. Learning about sex and personal boundaries at a young age can help reduce the risk of a child with disabilities being sexually exploited (Sexuality, 2005).
Sexuality and developmental disability: A guide for parents. (2005). Calgary Health Region. Retrieved April 12, 2010. From http://www.teachingsexualhealth.ca/media/pdf/Sexuality_Developmental_Disability.pdf
Sexuality education for children and youth with disabilities (2010). National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. Retrieved April 12, 2010. From http://www.nichcy.org/Pages/sexed.aspx#anchor5
Van Dyke, D., McBrien, D., and Sherbondy, A. (1995). Issues of sexuality in Down syndrome. Down syndrome research and practice. Retrieved April 12, 2010. http://www.ds-health.com/issues.htm
When it comes to sexuality, adolescents with disabilities are not much different than their non-disabled peers. A common misconception is that people who have developmental disabilities will never develop into sexually active adults (Sexuality, 2005). The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (2010) has a list of links to different websites that have materials designed for talking about sexuality with adolescents who have various disabilities. In general the information that needs to be taught to disabled adolescents is the same as what is taught to non-disabled peers, but in some cases there are specific challenges unique to the disability. For example, issues with social skills associated with autism would pose particular challenges. Developmental disabilities would require an adjustment in the age of which certain aspects of sexuality are taught.
The risk of sexual abuse doubles for a disabled adolescent in comparison to a non-disabled peer (Sexuality, 2005). Unfortunately, only about 3% of their attackers will be caught. Van Dyke, McBrien, and Sherbondy (1995) mention that things such as communication deficits, transient caregivers, and isolation could be contributing to the high levels of abuse, particularly among adolescents with Down syndrome. Those same reasons could apply to several other disabled groups, such as children with cerebral palsy. Learning about sex and personal boundaries at a young age can help reduce the risk of a child with disabilities being sexually exploited (Sexuality, 2005).
Sexuality and developmental disability: A guide for parents. (2005). Calgary Health Region. Retrieved April 12, 2010. From http://www.teachingsexualhealth.ca/media/pdf/Sexuality_Developmental_Disability.pdf
Sexuality education for children and youth with disabilities (2010). National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. Retrieved April 12, 2010. From http://www.nichcy.org/Pages/sexed.aspx#anchor5
Van Dyke, D., McBrien, D., and Sherbondy, A. (1995). Issues of sexuality in Down syndrome. Down syndrome research and practice. Retrieved April 12, 2010. http://www.ds-health.com/issues.htm
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