I’ve started losing interest in Twilight fandom, and it’s all because of the long awaited marriage and sex scene between Edward and Bella in the latest film, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1.

In the books and movie, Bella wants more physical intimacy with Edward, but he says they must marry first. So what does Bella do? She rushes too quickly into marriage—a very serious thing—because that’s the only way Edward will have sex with her. Her only concern seems to be what will make Edward happy—not a good message to send to the fans. It’s frustrating that Bella’s character is portrayed as so dependent on Edward. He spies on Bella while she sleeps, dictates her choice of friends and encourages her to trick her father, among other questionable actions that make Edward a creep and not a healthy choice for a boyfriend or husband. But will girls and guys believe having a controlling and possessive partner means your partner “loves” you, because they see Bella and Edward’s relationship portrayed as “romantic”?

And what about sex? The sex scene wasn’t described in detail in the book or movie. But the aftermath was shown with the breaking of a headboard and Bella’s body covered in bruises. (Edward can’t control his superhuman strength during sex with a mere human. This makes me wonder: Does this leave people thinking a partner really desires you if he or she hurts you during sex?) While Edward is disgusted with himself because he has bruised Bella, she is happy they have finally had sex. One moment Bella and Edward are in total bliss, and the next they’re both upset. Communication before, during and after sex might have helped avoid some of the misunderstanding.

At first I thought the Twilight storyline was cute, and of course, I daydreamed about how lovely a vampire boyfriend would be, but when I actually thought about what Bella and Edward’s relationship is like, I really lost interest. (But Team Jacob all the way!)

—Casandra Fetchik, 17, Staff Writer

There was a lot of hype over the last few weeks regarding the Glee episode, entitled The First Time. The episode was about the sex lives of two of the shows’ couples—Rachel and Finn, and Kurt and Blaine—as they had sex for the first time. For three of the four, this was their first time ever having sex.

I have to say, for all of the hullabaloo, between the excitement of fans and the protests of advocates of “clean TV,” the episode spent less time than I would have expected actually focusing on the sex plotline and instead spent a lot of time on other characters and story lines. And after all of the controversy, the “raunchiest” scene involved the couples in bed, clothed.

In fact, what turned out to be the most interesting part of the episode, at least for me, was comparing the situation between the heterosexual and gay couples. Fans of Glee know that the show’s writers aren’t afraid of controversial topics: so far the show has seen teen pregnancy, underage drinking, gay and lesbian relationships, cheating and betrayal. But in the show, Kurt and Blaine’s relationship has been more about longing glances and adorable declarations than hand holding or kissing. Having the couple develop a romantic and emotional connection that isn’t just physical illustrates that their relationship is serious and just as valid as any heterosexual relationship—an idea that is not accepted by everyone. The montage of the two couples before and after they had sex for the first time did a great job of comparing the two sexual encounters and showing viewers that relationships whether you’re gay or heterosexual are not all that different.

So sure, maybe some viewers were scandalized by the implications of teens having sex. But that’s a fact of life. Some teens have sex. Most don’t though. But if some viewers were scandalized by the idea of gay teens having sex, then hopefully this episode had them reevaluate their perception of LGBTQ relationships.

—Taylor McCabe, 19, Contributor

You’re probably tired of hearing it, but the truth remains: abstinence is the only way to completely avoid the risk of pregnancy and/or STDs. Yes, there are ways to practice safer sex, and for those who choose to have sex, safer sex is the way to go! But a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that an increasing number of teens have never had sex before.

The report drew from surveys of 13,500 men and women ages 15 to 44. In 2002, it was estimated that 22 percent of males and females had never had sexual contact with another person. The CDC’s recent report based on data from a 2006 to 2008 survey found that 27 percent of male and 29 percent of female 15-to 24-year-olds had never had sexual contact with another person. This shows an increase of five percent for males and an increase of seven percent for females from 2002.

And sure, these results were obtained by survey, and people may not always be completely honest. But even so, these numbers indicate that sexuality education messages about waiting until you’re ready for sex are sticking, just a bit.

Of course, abstinence isn’t for everyone. But if you do feel that abstinence is the best choice, you’re clearly (and even more so now that you would have been a few years ago) not alone.

—Taylor McCabe, 18, Contributor

Imagine taking a trip to Washington, D.C., and visiting the Washington Monument. Just when you’ve angled the camera perfectly so that it looks like you’re holding the building in your hand, a helicopter carrying a parachute enters the frame. Wait a second. That’s not a parachute. Stunned, you watch as a giant condom covers the Washington Monument, flaunting the statistic, “Every day 10,000 U.S. teens catch an STD.” This is exactly what happens in the promotional video for Let’s Talk About Sex, an hour-long documentary that will air on TLC on Saturday, April 9th.

Director James Houston uses interviews, media clips and images to explore Americans’ “contradicting attitudes about sex and sexuality” and their effect on teens. In today’s sexually charged culture, scantily clad Victoria’s Secret models and Jersey Shore hook-ups fill our daily lives, yet there is still so much fear about providing teens with information about the realities of sexuality. As a result, teens are not receiving the information they need, and they are getting pregnant and/or contracting STDs.

This documentary sets out to examine the role of sexuality in modern American society. In doing so, it hopes to start new conversations about sexuality and open up dialogue between teens and adults. Tune into TLC this Saturday to watch Let’s Talk About Sex. Check out the sneak peek below:

We want to know what you think of the show. After you watch on Saturday, come back and leave your comments below!

—Cynthia Lam, 17, Staff Writer

Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t many adults consider teens irresponsible? As a teen myself, I think we deserve a lot more credit. Why, you ask? Well, an extensive study of American’s sexual activity found that condom use is common for sexually active teens. Eighty percent of sexually active guys and 69 percent of sexually active girls said they used a condom the last time they had intercourse. In contrast, over 90 percent of men over the age of 50 did not use a condom during their last sexual encounter with a date or friend. And seventy percent of that same group did not use a condom when they had intercourse with a stranger. It looks like we teens make smart decisions after all.

Of course, not every teen in America is having sex. However, those that are sexually active are making healthy decisions and practicing safer sex. Are teens really so irresponsible? I don’t think so. In fact, teens are more responsible about using condoms than adults. Now I really understand why some adults say, “Do as I say, not as I do.”

—Clarence Williams IV, 17, Staff Writer