The Importance of Protected Sex
Can you imagine having to urge to go pee 24 7, or what about gaining anywhere from 30 to 60 pounds, or even worse, contracting one of those nasty STD’s we’ve all heard about? Well neither can I. Therefore, when abstinence is not an option, protected sex is a must. In todays world, the image of sex is portrayed everywhere. On TV, the radio, social networking sites, even school and public settings. Teenagers are constantly surrounded by sexual intensions, it’s a part of culture that is truly unavoidable.
The media, portrays sex as fun and glamorous in plenty of ways, whether its movies, reality shows, or magazine ads, they never portray sex as something awful that can completely ruin your life, and give you no option but to take a turn for the worst. Teen sex in todays world, is nothing but false advertising. Most teens are not informed and educated on the risks of sex, and that is not entirely their fault. Parents tend to assume that children learn everything they need to know in school, and if they’re not asking questions, that they’re not even thinking about.
That’s where their wrong. Most teens are timid about discussing this subject with their parents and are embarrassed to even bring it up. Studies show that teenager who can talk to their parents about uncomfortable subjects, including sex, are less likely to become sexually active at an early age. When teens turn to their peers about sex, they get sugar coated information that they have developed from the media, which leads them into thinking incredibly false things.
Simply talking to your parents, discussing methods of protection, and how to obtain them could save teens lives, not to mention their reputations. Although teen pregnancy rates in Canada have declined greatly, the problem is far from solved. Pregnancy and being a mother is something much too large for any teenager to even grasp. The stress, anxiety, and toll it takes on your mind and body, is something no teen is ready for in high school. Pregnancy is an overall uncomfortable situation, consisting of sickness, weight gain, mood swings, swollen feet, constant urination, increased appetite, and much more.
Not to mention, pregnant teens will most likely not want to attend school, with all the stress and sickness, school is just not where they want to be, which will eventually result in poor grades and likely failure. Raising a child, requires money, money requires a job, which most always will require education. Acquiring an education can be near impossible when you have a baby at home, your focus would be all over the place and if you didn’t have a good family support system, it would be difficult to complete homework and assignments.
Okay, so we have all sat through those nasty sex ed presentations, disgusted at the images of unheard of STD’s. Passing up the knowledge from those presentations as something gross that would never happen to you, could be the worst mistake of your life. Teens contract STD’s daily, never expecting it.. With Chlamydia becoming a pandemic in our province, it is very important to trust nobody, and use protection every single time you partake in sexual activities. Believe it or not, you can contract an STD from something so simple as kissing, gross right?
Before you trust your partner, make sure you are well aware of their sexual history, and make them aware you are not willing to do anything without protection. The price teens could pay for begin sexually active far outweigh and advantages. Contracting an STD, becoming pregnant, and jeopardizing the rest of your life are only a few of the horrifying results of unprotected teen sex. Teens need to become educated and aware of all the risks, from parents or health professionals. Although the media might portray sex as something as simple and brushing your teeth, it’s a terrible trail to take. | ?
