Teen sex

Well, that title should bring traffic to this place.

Slate has an interesting article about evangelical teens and their sexual habits. None of the findings come as a surprise to me. I think the more we make a big deal out of sex, whether it's "You're burning in hell if you try it before marriage!" or "It's the greatest thing in the world, so get out there and start doing it!" we are going to face teens participating in it. What teen trying to build their own identity isn't going to be tempted by something that is given an aura of mystique. It's also one reason kids drink and do drugs.

I think the best way to deal with this is to have frank discussions about the issue, be it sex, drugs, or whatever. It can't be a talk that starts with, "God only wants you to have sex after your married, so don't even think about it," or "Drugs are bad for you, so don't do it." Parents need to be honest. They need to explain exactly what sex is. They need to explain what is great about it (yes, I believe Mommy and Daddy should be telling their kids that sex feels good) as well as the possible consequences of sex (diseases, emotional issues, babies).

Is this a magic solution that will make problems go away? Of course not. I am willing to bet, however, that frank talk and honesty between parent and child will go a long way toward helping these issues. And, really, is it going to hurt?

Getting personal

I know. I know. I said I'd post more often. I'm working on it. Promise.

One of things that I've been thinking about since I started this blog is how personal I will be. What will I share? What will I hold back? And not, just as it pertains to me, but to others around me. Will friend or family members be upset if post something about them that they don't like? Will it harm the relationship? Help it grow?

I'm not sure I know the answers, but I do know something. I am going to attempt to be as open about myself as possible. I feel like we put up too many personal barriers in our society and that those barriers are ultimately harmful to meaningful relationships and personal growth.

I'm also probably going to post things about people in my life that they won't like. In no way do I intend it to be malicious. It will be honest appraisal of things as I see them. As I have grown and matured, I believe I have learned a lot about people and why they do the things they do. I want to bring down some of the barriers between myself and my loved ones. If that means, they end up hearing (er, reading) something that makes them angry, so be it. I want to cut through the bullshit and develop a meaningful relationship, rather than a half-hearted one based on facades.

So, to those who do know me and worry that you may be named in one of my posts, take a deep breath, and really try to understand what I am trying to say. For those of you who don't, I hope that something I say here on this blog gives you something to think about.

Even if it's that I have no clue what I'm talking about.

Speaking of procrastination...

I have a three to five page paper due in my anthropology class today. I should probably get started on it.