Posts Tagged ‘sexuality’

The Joy of Teen Sex

Friday, April 29, 2011

The Joy of Teen SexIf the title of the British show, The Joy of Teen Sex, isn’t enough of a hint of what is to come, the opening scene reveals it all. While images of teens engaging in a variety of sexual behaviors flash across the screen, a woman narrates, saying “Although the age of consent is 16, by that time the average teen has slept with at least three people.”

Having grown up in Europe, I’ve always known that European television is much more liberal than what we see here in the U.S., but even I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. The show uses a combination of graphic video clips and interviews with teens involving nudity to openly discuss sexual topics and provide sexuality education to teens. If the show Skins has caused such controversy in the U.S., we won’t be seeing The Joy of Teen Sex on American television anytime soon.

The show addresses a wide range of topics and answers the awkward questions that we all probably have. Do I think the concepts are good? Yes. But the provocative images meant to attract and entertain an audience and the soundtrack of music you would hear at a rave seemed a little over the top for a show meant to educate. It’s nice to have a show that pushes boundaries, but The Joy of Teen Sex would provoke less controversy in the U.S. if nudity was used for educational purposes and less for sheer entertainment value.

—Sam Dercon, 17, Staff Writer

Grandma—A Sex Ed Superstar

Friday, September 10, 2010

Susie WilsonYou have a burning question that you’re simply dying to ask. The only thing is it has to do with…sex. Normally, you’d go straight to your friends, but you’re afraid they’ll laugh at you because it’s kind of embarrassing. And your parents are too exhausted from work to talk about anything. Just when all hope seems lost, your grandma calls.

“Gran, I don’t feel like talking—”

Wait a second. This is your grandma—the one who always knows the right answers, never laughs at your questions and drops everything to make time for you. So why not ask her? When it comes to sexuality, we often overlook Gran and Pop as some of our most reliable and trustworthy sources of information. This Grandparents Day on September 12, don’t forget that your grandparents may be the adults you can talk with about sex. The truth is many of our grandparents are experts on the topic.

Just ask Susie Wilson, the founder of Answer, the organization which publishes Sex, Etc. Ms. Wilson celebrated her 80th birthday earlier this year. She is a true “sex ed heroine,” who has spent her whole life fighting for sexuality education programs that support young people in making better, informed decisions about their health. In fact, Ms. Wilson was involved in helping pass the New Jersey state mandate requiring family life education in all public schools. Through her groundbreaking work, Ms. Wilson has written many articles and appeared on television and radio shows, changing the lives of teenagers everywhere.

If I ever have a burning question, I know who I’ll be going to!

Does This Therapy Make Me Look Gay?

Friday, September 18, 2009

Photo by rhobinn from Flickr.comIf you have a toothache, you go to the dentist. If you have bad acne, you see the dermatologist. If you have back pain, you visit the chiropractor. If you’re gaylesbian or bisexual (GLB), you…. Wait a minute? When did being GLB become a sickness or a problem?

Believe it or not, there are some religious and socially conservative groups that tell people that being GLB is a sin or a sickness that must be cured. For years, counselors and centers, such as Exodus International and the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality, have attempted to make GLB people heterosexual by having them undergo “reparative therapy”treatment to change their sexual orientation.

Some research suggests that these programs can have harmful effects on people, causing stress, depression and suicidal behavior. And when this therapy fails to change clients’ sexual orientation, the clients can become distraught. Yet despite these results, some counselors continue to tell GLB patients that they can be heterosexual through therapy.

Recently, however, the American Psychological Association (APA) has spoken out against reparative therapy, saying that treatment is unlikely to change a person’s sexual orientation. Now, therapists are urged not to recommend reparative therapy to GLB patients. Instead, the APA suggests therapy involving support, acceptance and identity exploration.

Some people are heterosexual; some people are gay, lesbian or bisexual. Why stress yourself out trying to be someone you’re not? Focus on accepting and appreciating yourself just the way you are.

-Cynthia Lam, 15, Staff Writer