For my Grad Seminar class I am reading a book called Contemporary Issues In Art Education.  Chapter 7 is called "Children Never Were What They Were: Perspectives on childhood,"  I felt like this chapter really speaks to the issue I'm addressing of teens engaging in sexual activities, and why this is such a troubling issue to us adults.  For one, many of us still view childhood as being a state of innocence.  "Children were viewed as being goodness itself, so that in representing the future, the best days always lay ahead.  Childhood embodied no less than the promise of an endlessly brighter and enlightened future. (pp. 99)  Though many of us may feel this way today, this way of viewing childhood has existed for quite some time, it originated during the enlightenment of the 18th century and was very present in modernism of the 19th century and early 2oth century.  As adults we battle with ourselves everyday transitioning from childhood to adulthood.  Adulthood represents maturation, and greater responsibilities including having our own children.  We believe in order to reach this state of adulthood we have to leave our child like qualities behind, so we hold on to this unrealistic, romantic, simplistic view of childhood, which we do because as adults we still desire to be a child. What we fail to realize is that these views are unrealistic. Our children are not living through innocent times. Children are regularly abused, emotionally physically, and sexually. "The media today offers images that are altogether more complex, fragmented, and often vile. "  Children are highly interested in violence, we have kids picking up guns and shooting each other. The media offers images of kids with brutal wounds, children who are soldiers, and children  going through prostitution.  Our youth aren't only affected by images they see of other children.  Lets just think how sex is a major part of our society.  Its on television shows, talked about through lyrics of many songs. Our children are aware that sex sells. I myself remember having my first conversation of sex at the elementary age (not with my mom). At a very young age I became very curious about my body and how certain physical interactions can cause many feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. We have to realize that sex is everywhere, and our society encourages our youth's curiosity of sex.

SOME FACTS

U.S. researchers have learned:

By age 12, 12% of U.S students are having vaginal sex

7.9% are participating in oral sex

6.5% are having anal sex

Christine Markham of the University of Texas School of Public Health and her colleagues examined sexual at risk behavior among middle school students in a southeastern U.S urban public school district.  This research was done to develop more effective prevention programs.

The findings of this study were that, youth who started having sex before age 14 are much more likely to have multiple sex partners, use alcohol or drugs before sex and have unprotected sex, all which put them at risk of getting an STD and getting pregnant. 

Check out these organizations that support this issue.

COAPPP- Colorado Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Parenting and Prevention

Promoting a Colorado of Healthy and Informed Teens.

This organization isn't supporting teens having sex in the sense that they are encouraging it. This organization is saying "we know as teens you are facing many challenges and are curious about certain things such as sex, but may be afraid to talk to your parents. This is a place and a cite teens and tweens can visit and find answers to so many questions they may have, as well as being informed on the choices they have dealing with Sex.

They also help those who are a bit past the questioning stage, and are pregnant teens.

Love Doesn't Have To Hurt Teens

This cite tells teens what LOVE is and isn't. Love is the reason many teens are having Sex.