Re: Teenagers and STDs

Children are nor getting enough education about themselves. It is true that they learn anatomy and sex education. What they do not learn is how to value themselves as a rare and beautiful commodity. In the communities that I have taught, the teen girls are very sexually active. When you think the normal thing to do is have sex with multiple partners and have not learned that you are valuable enough to protect, you can be easily persuaded to adhere to "It feels better without a condom". That is truth, sex does feel better without a condom, however it feels better unprotected with your husband or wife that is fully commited to your relationship. If children were taught that there body is like a diamond and each time you give it away you lose a small chip of it, maybe they would appreciate the life they have been given. I could use more analogies, but from what I see there is more experimental sex going on than we adults care to admit. Bisexuality has become common place as well as showing off the body in unrespetable fashion. My personal opinion: We need to get back to teaching our children to value themselves verses its okay to have sex if you protect yourself because if you value yourself sex doesn't have to be the only option to express your feelings for someone else or make you feel good about yourself.

Re: Teenagers and STDs

I think parents have seriously dropped the ball with kids these days. When I was younger, I was not allowed to listen to graphic music, nor was I allowed to watch shows or movies with adult content. I also had parents who carefully monitored who I was friends with, what we were doing, and how I spent the money I made even after I got my own job. They taught me how I was to behave in public as a young lady, and I was not allowed to date. Now I see more parents who want to be friends with their kids, or parents who are too busy with their own personal affairs to be parents.

The reason why I brought up graphic television and music is because these kids are exposed to irresponsible sexual images and references every day. Commercials for everything from tires and cologne are sometimes sexual in nature. Our kids are not doing a good job separating entertainment from reality--they see the beautiful woman on television wearing the skimpy outfit getting the boys' attention, and they want to do the same, without really understanding the consequences of their actions OR that what they see on television may not be real. They watch the absolutely disgusting music videos or listen to horribly demeaning songs and, without a real sense of their own self-worth, internalize it. That is where the parents are supposed to step in, and they're not.

Sure, it is the job of schools to teach sex ed, but the first teachers and the most firm teachers should be the parents. Parents need to be watching what their kids are watching, monitoring their Myspace pages, and not allowing them to dress in skimpy clothes or act disrespectfully. I know a lot of kids think oral sex is not sex, that it is completely safe. You also hear of so many kids having casual sex and not thinking AT ALL about the consequences...a baby or a disease.

In my opinion, parents need to get back to parenting. Goals as a parent? Instilling self-worth in your child, discipline, ambition, determination, an understanding of God, a respect for authority. A lot of parents are failing.

Re: Teenagers and STDs

Maybe its just wishful thinking or being a conspiracy theorist, but I have serious doubts about those statistics.

Re: Teenagers and STDs

48% of AA teenage girls have STDs? Not sure I believe those stats. Love this site though!

Re: Teenagers and STDs

It is a lie. They want to market the Gardisil vaccine to black girls.
Just like the highest AIDS rates, Black women just get tested more. Just because caucasian women choose not to get tested doesnt mean they do not have it. Many go to private doctors who do not report to the CDC.

What % of black teen boys have std's? Where do the girls receive it from?
Statistics are more powerful than guns. You can kill a race of people with ridiculous numbers.