RE: Questions about adolescent sexuality

[Rick Froman]

Nancy Melucci writes:   “It depends on whom you consult. Go to a conservatively funded site, they'll tell you that viriginity pledges etc are the best tool, go to SIECUS or Planned Parenthood and they will tell you comprehensive sex education is the best.”   Is this a question that is so politically charged or methodologically vexing that it is impossible to test empirically? Shouldn’t there be some controlled, empirical evidence on this? Correlational studies in this area probably leave some very important variables confounded. Are there good controlled experiments on these issues that anyone is aware of? Is it not possible to just to randomly assign people to different treatments and check actual behavioral outcomes (not “attitude change”)?   Rick Dr. Rick Froman Associate Professor of Psychology John Brown University 2000 W. University Siloam Springs, AR  72761 [EMAIL PROTECTED] (479) 524-7295 http://www.jbu.edu/academics/sbs/faculty/rfroman.asp   -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 9:50 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: Re: Questions about adolescent sexuality   In a message dated 2/25/2004 7:31:52 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: 3) What are the main risk factors for teen sexual activity? What are some of the contributing factors? Self-esteem? Desire for Social Acceptance? Peer Pressure? I think a big one is poverty, for example, the very high rates of teen pregnancy in places like Appalachia. Although affluent teens are certainly not immune (the syphilis outbreak in Rockdale County in the early 1990's would be an example). II think teens who have a good sense of their own future and what's at stake, and open lines of communication with a caring parent or other adult role model tend to make good decisions (to delay sexual activity or use contraception). I am not sure about social acceptance and peer pressure motivating individual decision making about this. For example, at least in this state (CA) it is well known that the majority of fathers of the babies of teen mothers are older - about 20. I don't think this is purely a peer pressure issue. I think the adult world is in a fair amount of denial too about how much we use sexual imagery in entertainment and sales, and then how we generally refuse to discuss sex with our kids in any kind of constructive way (yes I know there are plenty of exceptions, I am describing the general environment.) 4) What are the emotional and psychological consequences of teenage sex?   I think this depends on the teen and his or her age. I would say that almost universally teenagers under the age of 16 are probably not really ready and the consequences can be very destructive. On the other hand, once we get closer to 20, if the individuals involved are responsible and careful, teenage sexual behavior can be as positive and life enhancing as adult sexual behavior. People over 21 probably have a similar range of experiences - from unpleasant to wonderful. I really think it is hard to generalize. Some conservative websites alledge that the consequences of premarital sex are universally negative, but when 90% or so of people have sex before they make a long term committment, I think this can be viewed as hysterical falsity at worst and disingenuous propaganda at best. 5) What are the most effective methods of sex education?   It depends on whom you consult. Go to a conservatively funded site, they'll tell you that viriginity pledges etc are the best tool, go to SIECUS or Planned Parenthood and they will tell you comprehensive sex education is the best. In Europe, kids get more information dispensed with less anxiety than you find here in the US, and their preganancy rates are generally lower. Once more, I think when kids get positive messages about their future and self-worth, and good, honest information they are more likely to delay sex until they are better prepared to handle the consequences. In other words, I think the best aspects of good sexuality education have little to do directly with information about the mechanics of sex.   Nancy Melucci Long Beach City College Long Beach, CA --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]