Teenagers are highly impressionable
people, and throughout their education in high school they are immersed in an
environment full of temptations. The hormonal changes that occur in a teen can
sometimes further the effect of these temptations. One of these environmental
influences involves sexual activity, which when engaged in rashly as teens tend
to do, result in detrimental consequences such as sexually transmitted
diseases. The statistics on teenage sexual activity is unfavorable: 47.4% high school teens
have engaged in sexual intercourse, 39.8-76.7% had not used birth control of
any kind1. In 2009, teens accounted
for 39% of all new HIV infections in the United States (US)1,2.
In July 2009, researchers
from the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released
their analysis of national data collected between 2002 and 2007. Their findings
included: that birth
rates among U.S. teens had increased in 2006 and 2007, about one-third of
adolescents had not received instructions on methods of birth control before
age 18, In 2004, there were about 745,000
pregnancies among females younger than 20, including an estimated 16,000
pregnancies among girls between 10 and 142. Reflecting on the grim
trends in the US, Janet Collins, director of the CDC's National Center for
Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, stated that “this report identifies a number of concerns regarding the sexual and
reproductive health of our nation's young people... It is disheartening that
after years of improvement with respect to teen pregnancy and sexually
transmitted diseases, we now see signs that progress is stalling and many of
these trends are going in the wrong direction2.”
The scary facts about teen sexual activity are
the result of lack of formal sexual education. Sex education can be taught at a
number of places or from a number of sources—schools, parents, religious
institutions, and peers. While some school and parents are open to teaching
their teens about sexual activity and its consequences, other more conservative
places tend to only send one message to teens regarding sexual activity:
abstinence only. This message and the morality of sexual behavior are heavily
passed on by Catholic churches and schools3—a message that can
backfire in teaching teens effectively.
Criticism of Intervention 1: The
Intervention Assumes Adolescents Have Self-Control
Sexuality
and sexual behavior are natural inclinations for a teenager. The hormonal
changes, surroundings, and peers heavily influence and strengthen the urge to
act on sexual tendencies. Because their brains are not fully
matured, and the consequences are that anatomical and neural differences in
teens are not as capable as adults are in making sound decisions and anticipate
consequences of sexual behavior6.
The method
that Catholic churches use in teaching teens about the consequences of sexual
behavior at a young age assume that adolescents have more self-control than
they actually have. Many conservative Catholic churches teach teens
that premarital sex is morally incompatible with Bible teachings. To add to the
immorality of premarital sex, some churches convey that contraception even by
married couples is a sin7. Furthermore, the notion of educating
teens on contraception as a means for safer sex is futile as this would suggest
that premarital sex is morally permissible. Abstinence only is the only
education that is in accord with many Catholic churches’ teachings7.
However, given what is known about the biology behind self-control in
adolescents, simply conveying the message that teens should abstain from
having sex until marriage without explaining the non-religious consequences and
relying on teen to completely go against their natural, hormonal urges is
taking a naïve approach. In order for Catholic churches to effectively reach
out to their youth about sexual education and behavior, they must understand
the biology behind teens’ behaviors and tailor their message to accommodate the
irrational urges of adolescents.
Catholic churches and schools teach their
followers about sex in terms of God, the Bible, and morality. There is no
openness to change but rather passing down of dogma: sex before marriage is a
sin, Abstinence Only. Numerous medical
organizations have vehemently criticized abstinence only education—all of who
maintain that sex education needs to be comprehensive to be effective8-12.
These groups advocate programs for sex education that advocate condom use available
to students, provide factual information and skill-building related to
reproductive biology, sexual abstinence, sexual responsibility, contraceptives,
other birth control options, and other methods used to educate youth about
prevention of pregnancy and sexual transmission of disease10, 11.
Teens will always explore the unknown, but armed with this information they can
at least engage in sexual activity in a safe way.
Criticism of Intervention 2: Catholic
Church Does Not “Lead by Example”
Catholic churches preach to a congregation
about teachings from the Bible that lay out what is moral and what is not. They
simply use the Bible to convince teens and young adults that premarital sex is
immoral and a sin. It does not “lead by example” for its people. Instead, what
priests believe is that leading by example is not necessary; they expect that the
stories and messages in the Bible are enough to steer followers in the right
way of life. This method of teaching may not speak out to the youth whereas a
better way would be to behave in such a way that delivers information and
demonstrates behavior.
Methods for accomplishing this include
but are not limited to the priest sensationalizing and taking advantage of
hands or props to teach, including his own accounts that relate to the biblical
stories that may include mistakes he made in the past, or inviting celebrities
to endorse the messages and lessons from the Bible. The alternative use of words, the conveying
of his own trials and tribulations13, the bringing in of celebrities
will gain youths’ attention because teens can relate to the priest or even just
think the priest is “cool” for bringing in a celebrity. By conveying a
message—whether an enthusiastic priest or famous person—these messengers should
talk about topics or even use similar words that help teenagers identify with
their authorities.
Criticism of Intervention 3: Catholic
Church Message Limit Adolescents’ Behavior
As
mentioned earlier, traditional Catholic churches teach by taking verses
directly out of the Bible that state, in so many words, that premarital sex
will lead to a horrendous afterlife or a life in Hell. There are many verses
from the Book of Genesis that convey that only a man and woman can engage in
sexual intercourse but only once they have the blessings of God. This implies
that only married, heterosexual couples can have sexual intercourse. The result
of disobeying God has dangerous, terrible consequences as the Book of Genesis
describes14. Churches quote these messages to their followers as a scare
tactic for Catholic churches to maintain control over the masses. As a result,
those who are highly religious or impressionable youth fearfully abide by
something extreme and avoid what is natural for them.
As children
exhibit certain characteristics early in life, adolescence is a whole other
stage of life. Teens rapidly change into people who parents can hardly
recognize or understand. On the other hand, teens also feel that authorities do not
understand them, and consequently, this may manifest in violent behavior,
depression, drug or alcohol abuse, and more reckless behavior. Parents often
become frustrated and try to discipline their loved ones, but teens respond
with fights and open defiance. Another
consequence of attempting discipline is that teenagers develop
their own identity and assert their independence—again resulting in open
defiance or reckless behavior. Because of these challenges in raising an
adolescent, it is important for parents to balance the processes of giving some
space for their teen and becoming in tune to with their teen’s needs and
desires.
New Intervention Proposal: Practice
What It Preaches to Motivate Teens to Empower Themselves in Practicing Safer
Sex or Abstinence
An intervention that sends the message
to adolescence that delayed sexual activity until adulthood is the mature way
to handle behavior. A new intervention should address the fact that teens will
engage in sexual intercourse, sometimes recklessly and unplanned, and send a
message that it is “cool” to practice abstinence or use protection to be safe.
The intervention that uses the media,
specifically sensational actors and actresses, to convey how “cool” and
“popular” abstinence is will empower youth to take control of their emotions.
Adolescents deify celebrities and readily copy or model their own appearances
and behaviors after these famous people. By hearing or seeing celebrities
discuss abstinence in a good light, teens will quickly adopt this pattern in
the process of taking control over their emotions. Celebrities can also assuage
teens about their feelings by telling them that these emotions are normal and a
part of developing into young adults. These models can then simply educate
teens about how to go about dealing with their emotions in a safe and positive
way.
Catholic churches and schools can do the
same thing and accomplish the same results. Priests and nuns who speak out to
their congregation can discuss their own or loved ones’ experiences as examples
of how abstinence was a good habit. This in addition to celebrities sending a
message will show youth that these people experienced the same issues and
temptations. Upon hearing these accounts, teens will feel like they can relate
to authority and that they are not alone in battling these challenges. In addition
to encouraging youth by example, religious figures can address the fact that
these feelings are completely normal and that if one chooses to engage in
sexual activity, one should do so safely. Instead of preaching without
explaining why, priests and nuns should explain the biological consequences of
reckless sexual activity instead of simply preaching that it is a sin. By
explaining these things, religious figures will give a rationale and teens will
be less likely to rebel because they do not understand.
Defense of New Intervention 1: Understanding Psychology of Target Populace
Will Help Empower Teens
Catholic churches need to work with
adolescents by coming to terms with the notion that teens do not exercise much
self control4,5. Instead of making assumptions, the powers that be
in Catholic churches should understand the biology behind a teen’s behavior.
Teens are already confused by their own feelings and thoughts. With authorities
being just as confused if not more, then nothing can be accomplished in terms
of guiding these highly impressionable young people.
Theory of Planned Behavior
is a theory that involves one’s attitude toward behavior, subjective norms, and
perceived behavioral control. There is the assumption that people think about
what they are going to do before they do it—that people are rational beings15.
This is not the case in adolescents—as discussed above, teens experiences many
changes in their brains while developing but still do not reach full potential
in terms of cognition6. The hormonal changes that occur in a teen
affect his/her feelings about the other sex (or same sex), bodies also start to
develop in ways that confuse him/her, and curiosity of sexuality in general
peaks. Given that a teen’s cognition and judgments are already impaired, the
tendency to act irrationally can be strong.
With positive and negative influences surrounding
them, a teen may have problems choosing which way to go. As an institution that
has potential to guide adolescents, there have to be realistic expectations for
teens in order to guide them effectively. If not, efforts will only be wasted
in vain and teens may go astray or possibly be stunned by the consequences of
their unplanned behavior. Catholics churches teach from the Bible, which can be
antiquated and not account for the modern teen. It is important for priests and
nuns to realize that teens in the 21st century are not comparable.
Because they are more susceptible to peer pressure, priests and nuns should be
progressive and take measures to allow teens to empower themselves. Teens
should be equipped with the tools to make rational decisions.
Defense of New Intervention 2: Catholic
Churches Should Show Understanding so that Teens Will Not Feel Alone
Young
people trend toward highly resistant actions in response to authority5,14.
They are also influenced by their surroundings and peers. When a teen sees his/her
friend behaving a certain way, he/she follows in suit. If a parent or another
authority figure disciplines an adolescent with no explanation, the adolescent
tends to view this authority as foreign or not understanding. The young person
feels isolated or alone as a response. In the same light, if a priest tries to
discipline with no explanation other than to say that the Bible says the truth
or that God will punish those who sin, not only will a teen feel alone, but
also feel “damned if I do, damned if I don’t.” This can be a very offensive and
cause a teen to run away or rebel.
Social
Cognitive Theory describes a dynamic, ongoing process in which personal
factors, environmental factors, and human behavior exert influence upon each
other16. In other words, people act by observing and model behavior
that they see. It should be obvious by now that teens are influenced by their
surroundings—they see what peers or any other appealing human does and try to
mimic the same behaviors. The way that Catholic churches approach the topic of
sexual behavior and lessons does not incorporate or put into practice this
social behavioral theory.
As a
religious institution, Catholic churches’ priests and nuns have a practice or
habit of talking at their congregation or students, not talking to them. There
is a difference—talking at refers to the act of objectively or standing
separately to spread a message. There is nothing personable about this act or
message. What teens need though is someone or a group that can make them feel
included or accepting of their confusion. If religious figures can tell a story
about themselves, about their own peers, or even bring in celebrities to talk
about sex and consequences of unplanned sexual behavior, it will help a teen feel
that his/her feelings about sexual thoughts or experiences are normal and
nothing to be ashamed of or rebel in defense. These methods of reaching out
will help a teen feel like adults are relatable and not people to disobey.
Thereby, priests and nuns will be more likely to send effective and influential
messages about sex.
Defense of New Intervention 3: Catholic
Churches Need to Allow Teens to Make Choices
Catholic
churches that are funded by federal money or local charitable donations have a
responsibility to make good use of these funds. If wasted, the donors can be
unforgiving and withdraw their support. For this reason, churches should be
motivated to guide their followers effectively—this can be most challenging in
guiding adolescents. Oppressing adolescents in any way can exacerbate this
challenge or task.
It is a teen’s response, or anyone’s
for that matter, to act against what deprives him/her of freedom. Psychological
Reactance Theory explains just that—threats to freedom create a combination
of positive and negative forces, and the resulting behavior is a function of
these opposing behaviors17. Adolescents experience antagonism from a
variety of sources: their teachers, parents, bullies, and even religious
guides. During a time in their life when the desire for sexual expression is
raging, their curiosity can lead them to dangerous consequences. Approaching
them about this topic is a delicate situation that must be handled with
sensitivity.
Catholic churches teach about positive
stories from the Bible that are meant to teach its disciples about morals and
life lessons. In giving these lessons about sexual behaviors, there is the
tendency to simply preach that it is wrong to engage in any acts before
marriage. Teens are likely to rebel against such lessons, especially if they
are not given any rationale for this lesson. Instead of restricting teens’
freedom of sexual behavior, churches should let teens feel that they have
complete freedom and that it is their choice to decide what is the best thing
to do. The truth is that one cannot change a person’s behavior, one can only
change his/her reaction to that behavior: if an adolescent has made up his/her
mind to have sexual intercourse, a priest, nun, parent, teacher, etc. cannot
necessarily change this teen’s mind. However, authorities can change their
reactions to a teen’s behavior: teach the adolescent about safe sex, sexually
transmitted diseases, and other consequences of sex. The teen might change
his/her mind and wait or be motivated to at least be responsible about it.
Conclusion
Statistics about teen sexual behavior
and consequences are grim. Adolescents are still not getting accurate or
sometimes any information about birth control or sexually transmitted diseases.
The rates of sexually transmitted diseases among teens steadily increase with
each year. The number of young women with unplanned pregnancies and abortion
also increase each year. It is the responsibility of the authorities in
adolescents’ lives to provide information about the consequences of irrational
and irresponsible sexual behavior. Catholic churches are strong sources of
guidance; however, their messages are simply: abstinence only. Statistics and
studies show that this public health intervention does not work well. A better
public health intervention that Catholic churches need to endorse should
involve important social behavioral theories that will lead to more effective sexual
education for adolescents.
References
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n.p., 2013. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/age/youth/index.html>.
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Whitehead, Margaret M. Sex Education: The Catholic Scene. N.p.:
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