Today’s world is full of worries and problems which did not affect teens a
generation ago. New problems keep appearing in today’s world, such as STDs,
increased pregnancy rates, and other factors facing teens who choose to have
sex. Emotionally and physically teens and getting less developed before having
sex and are not prepared for the serious problems which come along with their
decision to have sex. No longer is it a matter which will just go away if we
ignore it, but teen health and the health of our society depend on choices which
today’s teens make regarding sex. With so many diseases and problems facing
today’s world, abstinence is the only way to protect ourselves. Abstinence is
a safe choice in preventing the possibility of pregnancy. One-tenth of young
women between the ages of 15 and 19 get pregnant every year, 83 percent of these
pregnancies are unwanted or unplanned. Half of the unmarried teens who get
pregnant do so within six months of their first sexual experience. In fact,
between 1986 and 1990, teen childbearing increased by 16 percent. What’s
worse, pregnant teenagers often don’t see a doctor until the time of delivery.
Another serious problem surrounding teen sexual intercourse is the probability
of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Each year, three million teens
are infected with STDs. Among 14- to 20-year-olds, chlamydia is the most common.
It has no obvious symptoms, and can cause infertility if left untreated. Another
common disease is herpes, which causes sores and painful swelling of the
genitals. Its symptoms can be managed, but not cured. Fifteen percent of all
teenage girls carry the virus that causes genital warts, another common STD.
Gonorrhea, not uncommon in teens, is known to cause pelvic pain, discharge, and
painful urination. It may leave its victims sterile. Perhaps even more serious
is the disease Syphilis, which killed famous mobster Al Capone. It causes sores,
rashes, brain and organ damage, and death. It can also harm an unborn child.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a growing danger, and is by far the
most serious sexually transmitted disease. AIDS is the sixth leading cause of
death among 15- to 24-year-olds. Cases among teens have grown 62 percent in the
past two years, and the number of teens with AIDS doubles every 14 months. A
fifth of all AIDS victims in this country today are in their twenties, and since
the disease takes two to ten years to develop, those victims contracted it in
their teenage years. Even scarier is that, according to a study of 19
universities, one in 500 college students may carry the AIDS virus. With these
frightening statistics, it's easy to see why many teens are choosing not to have
sex. Many bold teenagers think they can totally avoid pregnancy and STDs by
using various forms of contraceptives. However, while it does lessen the chances
of disease and unwanted pregnancy, birth control is not always dependable.
Although sex my bring appeal to our generation, the best way to prevent teen
pregnancy and STD’s is by practicing abstinence. Hopefully before any more
people are infected by some of these deadly diseases, kids will get the idea
that being safe and practicing abstinence is the best way to go.