Parenting Gone Wrong

In the United states, the cultural norms regarding parenting have negatively impacted adolescent’s perspectives on sex. The way parenting is done by American society is strongly influenced by religion, media and, educational institutions and history. As a result, their view on this touchy topic portrays sex as a risk and a taboo. Instead of positively impacting teenagers’ sex education, the tactic used to promote abstinence is creating a negative outcome. On the other hand, there are other countries such as Sweden which educate their young adults about sex in a completely different way, making an overall better outcome in their society’s adolescent sexual behavior. Over all, issues such as parental expectations, parent to child relationships, gender bias and sex education create a big impact on this young generation.

1. The "sex talk"

youtube.com / Via Bleakley, A., M. Hennessy, and M. Fishbein. "Predicting Preferences for Types of Sex Education in US Schools." SEXUALITY RESEARCH AND SOCIAL POLICY http://8.1 (2011): 50-7.

The “sex talk” is the conversation most individuals do not like to receive. In the U.S sex is seem as something horrible that should be avoided. It has become a touchy topic which focuses on the negative consequences. The advice that young adults are receiving from their parents, friends and teachers is giving them mixed ideas. Unfortunately there is a cognitive distance about sex. It should be portrayed as a normal behavior. Depending on a person’s gender, there is different expectations and consequences regarding sex. Over all, children and young adults grow up with a taboo view on sexual behavior. Instead of teaching children and teenagers that sex is just a physical act, they should be taught that most importantly is a component of human personality. According to Amy Bleakly, empirical evidence shows that abstinence only education are not effective. These programs fail with the attempt to delay teenage sexual initiation and prevent sexually transmitted diseases. As a result, America’s wise solution is comprehensive sex education. Therefore, hopefully we will be able to see a different response in children when we ask them “what is sex”.

Bleakley, A., M. Hennessy, and M. Fishbein. "Predicting Preferences for Types of Sex Education in US Schools." SEXUALITY RESEARCH AND SOCIAL POLICY 8.1 (2011): 50-7.

2. Teenage Sleepovers in America?

youtube.com / Via Schalet, Amy. "Sex, Love, and Autonomy in the Teenage Sleepover." Contexts http://9.3 (2010): 16-21. Web.

This is an unacceptable behavior that our culture would not agree on. Most Americans would never allow their teenage daughters/sons to have their boyfriends over. In fact, the most common answer that we hear from a parent is “not under my roof!”. Sex is a topic that most parents and children do not like to touch. The problem is that the U.S emphasizes sexual behavior on the risks that individuals faces when having intercourse. According to Amy Schalet, American adolescent sexuality has been dramatized rather than normalized. As a result, teens are forced to learn about sex on their own. This creates major problems because they are more likely to make mistakes and rushed decisions. It is outstanding to discover that Sweden uses a different tactic on teaching their parents about sex. They focus on teaching young adults that sex is an important part of teen development. Teenagers in this country, teenagers are allowed to have their significant other to stay the night. The simple conditions is that parents must know the guy or girl well enough in order for them to sleepover. Over all. This tactic allows the parent to have a closer relationship with their children. Also, it gives them the opportunity to have parental supervision. Consequently, teenagers are less likely to make unreasonable decisions. Studies show how there is less unwanted pregnancies and STD’s in Sweden than in the United States.

Schalet, Amy. "Sex, Love, and Autonomy in the Teenage Sleepover." Contexts 9.3 (2010): 16-21. Web.

3. Sexual Transmitted Diseases

The virus HIV, STDs, and unwanted pregnancies are serious health threats that young adults are facing all over the world. Sadly, in North America there is over 70 million people who have contracted a sexual transmitted disease and 20% were among men and women between 15 and 24 years old. These graphs show teenage sexual health statistics compare across time and space. Most people would agree that school wide interventions to reduce sexual risk behavior are effective. Unfortunately, our nation's youth is not being influenced to make better choices and reduce unsafe sex activity. Sexual education in our society needs to take over different method that can better educate parents, institutional educations and their staff. Sex education is centered on the consequences of sex. They do not further explain non coital sexual behaviors. The message young adults receive is that vaginal penetration equals pregnancy or STDs. According to Lee Ann, the general concern documented has been that without good education regarding adolescent's non coital sexual behaviors (oral, anal, masturbation), leaves teens at risk for getting sexually transmitted diseases. Providers should ask and teach specific sexual behaviors in order for teenagers to better understand the risk of STD acquisition. Last, providers, parents and institutions need to be better educated with the shift in puberty ages over the years. Adolescents are going through puberty at a younger age than before. Therefore, adequate sexual educations should be provided before the age of 7 in white females and before the age of 6 in black females. Being updated and well educated on sexual behavioral shifts will allow individuals to teach the adequate information as well as on the correct time. Furthermore, the number of people affected with sexual diseases will decrease.

4. Famous for being 16 and pregnant?

pinterest.com / Via Potera, Carol. "Sex and Violence in the Media Influence Teen Behavior." American Journal of Nursing [http://H.W.Wilson - GS] http://109.2 (2009): 20.

There are many components that greatly impact teenager’s lives. Such sociodemographic factors are recognized as parents, friend’s ethnic, racial minority status, wealth status and family composition. Unfortunately, media makes a big impact among our society. According to Carol Potera’s studies, there is a correlation between sex media and teen behavior. The study consisted of 2,003 teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 who were randomly selected to ask how often they watched 23 popular shows that played scenes with passionate kissing, sexual talk and sexual intercourse. After three years, the same teenagers were interviewed again; seven hundred and forty four teens reported being sexually active. The results showed that the students who watched the TV shows with sexual content were two to three times more likely to become pregnant or leave someone pregnant. Carol’s studies also demonstrate how the media has a strong influence over teens when it comes to violence. Reality shows portray such behaviors which causes young adults to think it is acceptable to act that way. Also, our generation has become so obsessed with media and fame that teens are willing to do anything to be on TV. The show 16 and pregnant became a successful reality show which put on a spot light to young girls journeys when becoming pregnant. Unfortunately, our generation is supporting young girls to become pregnant. The reality show is currently influencing young girls to become pregnant at a young age in order to get a spot on the show. They believe that being on the screen will bring them wealth and fame, without thinking of the consequences that come along when bringing a baby to this world. Over all, not only teens are being influenced by the media but all ages are also being affected. In order to prevent teens from being negatively influenced, parents should watch TV shows with their children and talk to them about sex.

Potera, Carol. "Sex and Violence in the Media Influence Teen Behavior." American Journal of Nursing [H.W.Wilson - GS] 109.2 (2009): 20.

5. Gender Gap

nytimes.com career.uoregon.edu / Via Pasqua, Silvia. "Gender Bias in Parental Investments in Children's Education: A Theoretical Analysis." Review of Economics of the Household http://3.3 (2005): 291.

Throughout history, there has always been a gap between genders. As a result, men are economically, politically and socially privileged. Many studies have shown the impact of the bias parents have on education. The models provided by Paul Subman and Robert Pollak, analyze the factors that affect parents decision to invest in their children’s education. According to Silvia Pasqua, parents care about the efficiency of their investment. They are more willing to pay more for a child that has high returns. Because of the wage gap, some parents prefer investing on a male’s education because they know they will get a better outcome. However, there are many possible factors to take into account when looking at parents decisions. A house hold composition is something that has a great impact on the parent’s decision. Most of the time, a male dominant father will make all the decisions. Another variable that impacts parent’s decision on the investment of their children’s education is the culture, country and economic situation. In many poor countries such as Sub-Sahara Africa, females will not continue their education because they are needed in the house for domestic activities, leaving males with the opportunity to continue their education. Over all, there is many factors that influence parent’s investment in their child’s education. In order for this gap to close, females and males should be provided with the same opportunities. In poor countries, policies should be created that reduce the cost of education for women. This will be more effective for increasing female’s education and eventually reducing the gap.

Pasqua, Silvia. "Gender Bias in Parental Investments in Children's Education: A Theoretical Analysis." Review of Economics of the Household 3.3 (2005): 291.

6. Parental Expectations

schoolsofequality.com / Via Marcus, Terri L., and David A. Corsini. "Parental Expectations of Preschool Children as Related to Child Gender and Socioeconomic Status." Child development http://49.1 (1978): 243-6.

From the moment we are born, we are assigned a gender according to our biological and chromosomal make up. As a result, the gender that we are assigned comes along with several role expectations. One of the main agents of socialization is family and educational institutions. It is incredible to see how much an agent can have an impact on an individual. Parents hold a big responsibility in raising their children and can greatly impact their success path. A parent study was conducted by Terri Marcus and David Corsini, to examine the expectations of mothers and fathers for their four year old child in an achievement situation. The study consisted of twenty middle class boys and girls and twenty boys and girls from a lower income class. All of the children were assigned to do the same achieving type tasks. The parents were asked to say the level of achievement they expected from their child. The results demonstrated how there was no big difference in performance depending on the child’s gender. What they did find was that the parental expectation for performance when interacting with their children, affected the child’s behavior itself. Mother’s expectations for both genders were almost identical but father’s expectations were higher for girls. The last correlation found was that lower socioeconomic back ground children’s parents had less expectations than middle class parents. Over all, parents’ gender and family income can possibly affect children’s behavior. Will our society be able to lessen gender stereotyping and social inequality?

Marcus, Terri L., and David A. Corsini. "Parental Expectations of Preschool Children as Related to Child Gender and Socioeconomic Status." Child development 49.1 (1978): 243-6.