Nudity, americans and teen pregnancy

[Odin311]

It's not just that. We have a huge problem with sexual education. Many of the conservatives fell that sex ed should be abstinence only. They fell that if you teach kids about protecting themselves during sex, that it encourages them to have more sex.

There have been a few studies that have shown that teens that are not taught about safe sex, won't practice safe sex when they do become sexually active. This is one of the main reasons for the raising number of STI's, and for the rate of teen pregnancies.

 

[Kenko]

Because the US due to its inherent christian retardation puts taboo´s on the most natural of things in human nature. People do not get the education or understanding of it that they need to be responsible about it.

Atheism, I think America could use a healthy dose of it so that they can stop being hypocrits.

 

[Deleted]

I had a discussion with a US citizen regarding their fear of nudity. One of the reasons he claimed was the alarming teen pregnancy in his country, and accused that sexuality in advertisements etc. is a huge factor.

Soo.. I googled around a bit, and found that France, one of the most relaxed countries on the planet when it comes to sexuality, actually has one of the lowest rates of teen pregnancies.

So what gives?

I've always found the "no nudity, but murders are ok" mentality somewhat twisted.

Its just north american culture I guess. I'm not sure how violence is viewed in other parts of the world but there may be hypocritical morals everywhere.

It started with the idea of protecting children (I'm guessing, don't take my word) and of cource the biggest perceived risk to a kid is destroying their innocence.

 

[Shycte]

The problem is the lack of proper sexual education I would think.

 

[Shycte]

I had a discussion with a US citizen regarding their fear of nudity. One of the reasons he claimed was the alarming teen pregnancy in his country, and accused that sexuality in advertisements etc. is a huge factor.

Soo.. I googled around a bit, and found that France, one of the most relaxed countries on the planet when it comes to sexuality, actually has one of the lowest rates of teen pregnancies.

So what gives?

I've always found the "no nudity, but murders are ok" mentality somewhat twisted.

I'm about to tell you something very important about Americans: Because they have so much religion, no one actually has to think for themselves. I know we take this for granted in Australia, but our general lack of religion and funnily enough our lack of a convoluted political system is actually beneficial to us as a nation thinking for ourselves. Its one of the reason Australians as a general rule hate Americans.

And because you can think for yourself. Those M rated games needs to be banned. Obviously.

I kid, but I would blame their obsess with religon, rather than the religon itself. It is a important diffrence to make.

 

[Jodah]

I think it has more to do with the lack of sex-ed and the common belief that "all sex is bad." If teens had more access to sex-ed and birth control there would be fewer teen pregnancies. Its similar to alcohol use in our society. It is forbidden prior to the age of 21. That doesn't stop teens from drinking, if anything it makes it worse. They are almost forced to binge drink because they can only do it once in a while.

 

[MegaManOfNumbers]

I had a discussion with a US citizen regarding their fear of nudity. One of the reasons he claimed was the alarming teen pregnancy in his country, and accused that sexuality in advertisements etc. is a huge factor.

Soo.. I googled around a bit, and found that France, one of the most relaxed countries on the planet when it comes to sexuality, actually has one of the lowest rates of teen pregnancies.

So what gives?

I've always found the "no nudity, but murders are ok" mentality somewhat twisted.

Take a look at the West's policy of video games too:

Blood and murder (i.e. inFAMOUS), OKAY!

The slightest bit of sex (i.e. Mass Effect), INSTANT M RATING!!

this is also opposite for the East.

America is just subjected to the most fake advertising in the world. seeing that they pretty much control the world, this kind of compensation for their power: Stupid, stupid people.

that's why I live in America's hat: Canada. well that and because I was born here but thats beside the point

 

[8-Bit Grin]

Well, the idea that having more pictures of sexy stuff exposed to younger people will make them want to have sex makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

I have a feeling that you're being sarcastic, but it actually kind of does.
Those feelings you get from watching porn spark a desire to experience what those actors are obviously feeling. If we're given the chance, we would probably pork anyone who was willing just to see if it's as great as we thought it would be. If it's not, we keep fornicating to find someone who DOES help us reach that sexual Nirvana. If it is great, we keep having it to experience the feeling.

 

[Fetzenfisch]

Making teens believe that sexuality is a bad thing that should be handeld in marriage only leads to teens that are afraid of buying the different means of protection. They dont want others to see them buying condoms or the pill because they will think bad of them or their parents will be told or whatever. THAT leads to teen pregnancy.
As a parent you have to accept that you cant prevent it, so better make it possible for them, in a save place, with all the protection needed.

 

[Gh9st]

I must agree with those who say in some part the cause is it being seen as taboo. For example when growing up I was given alcohol if I wanted it, my parents would give/buy it for me. This meant they knew if I was drinking, could encourage me to drink sensibly and so forth. This removed the 'forbidden pleasures' side of things, there was no thrill of getting alcohol underage and drinking myself into a stupor. I haven't turned into an alcoholic so I think their plan worked. I think something of the same idea could, and should, be applied to this. To clarify, I'm not saying parents should have/provide their children with sex... I just think the careful teaching and explanation of it is the way to go, not removing all sexual themes from everything, maybe kids can't buy cucumbers next? I've heard stories... No, teaching is the key thing that is needed, both in schools and maybe even more importantly from parents. Now, I've just woken up so I need to go find a drink...

P.s. Joke, I promise I'm not an alcoholic, and I do feel that a sense of freedom can be itself a deterrent against some activities.

 

[SuccessAndBiscuts]

I must agree with those who say in some part the cause is it being seen as taboo. For example when growing up I was given alcohol if I wanted it, my parents would give/buy it for me. This meant they knew if I was drinking, could encourage me to drink sensibly and so forth. This removed the 'forbidden pleasures' side of things, there was no thrill of getting alcohol underage and drinking myself into a stupor. I haven't turned into an alcoholic so I think their plan worked. I think something of the same idea could, and should, be applied to this. To clarify, I'm not saying parents should have/provide their children with sex... I just think the careful teaching and explanation of it is the way to go, not removing all sexual themes from everything, maybe kids can't buy cucumbers next? I've heard stories... No, teaching is the key thing that is needed, both in schools and maybe even more importantly from parents. Now, I've just woken up so I need to go find a drink...

P.s. Joke, I promise I'm not an alcoholic, and I do feel that a sense of freedom can be itself a deterrent against some activities.

The most scary thing about this is that it is almost, word for word one of my first posts on the escapist. So naturally I agree with what you say.

Just to add my own spin on it, my father was a pub landlord. I grew up in a bar effectively, I do drink more heavily than a lot of my friends but I don't tend to binge nearly as badly as they do.

Also, welcome to the escapist. Think about what you are typing before you post and you will do fine.

Stay out of the basement.

 

[SuccessAndBiscuts]

Edit: Double post, uni connection is a bit inconsistent schizophrenic.

 

[Iron Mal]

I think that the reason that sex/nudity is treated as being more grave a concern than violence is because of the differing levels of decency that they can be portrayed in.

Violence can be twisted into being a valiant and heroic thing (patriotic, all-American hero takes down evil, baby-eating terrorist) whereas sexuality and nudity often cannot (at least not without some creativity behind it, something that tends to be lost on most people).

Another reason could be that sexuality is something that is very personal and very sensitive to most people where violence is often very impersonal and distant, rather than having to face their discomforts or personal issues regarding sex it's easier to just try to hide it under blankets of censorship and hope no-one will question it.

Also, it doesn't help that most of the laws, norms and values of our society tend to originate from Christian doctrine (which has been very strict on matters of sexuality but is willing to be flexable over the whole 'thou shall not kill' thing if it's 'justifiable killing').

 

[felixader]

It's the lack of education.

As i heard the Sexual Education in the US is not that often done in the US and always questioned.

The thing is that no one needs to change their way how you preserve Sexuality but it nontheless important to educate teens about it.
An IMPORTANT part of this is not just to demonice it but also to explain that it can be really beautyfull and fullfilling as long as the safety is not forgotten.

So the problem majourly is ignorance.

You can't just ignore sexuality it's an integral part of human nature and not initially a bad one.
You also don't have to get all Hippie and embrace and run around naked and jump on everything that is willing.

But by ignoring this for growing teens naturaly important theme you leave them alone, confused and bound to do mistakes wich they probably would have thougth more about would they have been educated.
And when you leave them alone they will pull their conclusion fromelsewhere and this is where the stupidity of MTV and Porn comes in.
Both things kinda have his place but not in the sexual education of teens.

 

[eels05]

Sounds like the whole 'educate the kiddies about contraception',is getting lumped in the indecent basket,along with random acts of nudity which we all know eats at society like cancer.

 

[GeorgW]

I think you kind of answered your own question. If you're more open about it and don't try to hide it or put some kind of stupid stigma to it then people will know more about it. Obvious, isn't it? The thing is, if you know about it, then you can do it smartly. That applies to everything, not just sex. I think the reason for teen pregnancy is simply ignorance, and it's perpetualized by America's views on sex. Also, teens will always rebel. But that's universal, so why does only America have this teen pregnancy problem? (It doesn't btw, UK for example is a lot worse. I'm just trying to keep on track.) Again, ignorance because of society's denial seems to be the common denominator. Btw, I'm a teen, and I'm smart enough to use protection.

 

[The Unworthy Gentleman]

I put it down to the older generations being closed minded and prude. Of course this is merely a generalisation. My parents aren't like that so it's clearly wearing off. It's just how we were all brought up and laws... no doubt somewhere along the line it'll reinstate itself.

 

[AaronDemoncia]

Personally I received a fairly comprehensive Sex Ed in high school. But having 'lived' through Highschool I can safely say that its probably what a lot of people have said before, 'Make it taboo, and thus shall you watch the masses take to it like the fat take to cake.' THAT, and common sense is a crime here ¬.¬;;

 

[Amphoteric]

The Pregnancy rate was just as high 50 years ago.