What impact does the deluge of television viewing have on kids? It is anything but neutral, as several studies have documented. Television can and does influence behavior, often in a bad way:
· Adolescents who watch a lot of television consistently score lower on academic achievement tests. Researchers have found that high levels of television viewing have a negative impact on school performance.
· Adolescents who were sexually active or used alcohol, tobacco or other drugs listened to the radio, watched music videos, and viewed movies, cartoons and soap operas on television more often than other teens who did not participate in these behaviors.
· Those fifth and sixth graders who had a greater awareness of alcohol advertisements in the media than their peers intended to drink as adults, had positive associations with drinking, and were more aware of beer brands.
Showing posts with label teen pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teen pregnancy. Show all posts
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Why Freeze?
Our young people need to know that there are sexual thrills that transcend the urge for instant gratification. Compare the following scenarios:
1. He picks her up in his mom’s car, they drive out to a secluded spot, and have sex. They freeze up whenever they see headlights. A quick thrill, then it’s over. Later, they go home, she to her house, he to his house. He’s pretty sure she was on the pill or something, but he’s not really at ease about it. He hopes she won’t start calling him all the time now. She is home, trying to prove to herself that casual sex is okay. She feels lonely and uncertain about the relationship. She hopes he hasn’t had sex with any sleazy girls lately. She wonders if she should call him.
2. They have the house all to themselves. It has been their house since they were married two years ago. He helps his wife finish the dishes as they both try to keep the grins of anticipation from their faces. There is much playful touching and kissing. They both know how the evening will end, but in the meantime, they are enjoying every minute. Later, in a bedroom lit by a single candle, they rediscover the thrill that seems to get better every time. When it’s over, they enjoy just being close and whispering sweet, loving words to each other. When they wake up in the morning, they will still be together. Nothing to hide, nothing to fear, nothing to change. And it will be like this for the rest of their lives.
Which thrill is the best, the most enduring? Which is worth looking forward to and waiting for? Sex is a thrill—no doubt about it. But there must be complete trust, complete commitment, complete acceptance. Such attitudes are possible only in marriage. It is worth waiting for.
1. He picks her up in his mom’s car, they drive out to a secluded spot, and have sex. They freeze up whenever they see headlights. A quick thrill, then it’s over. Later, they go home, she to her house, he to his house. He’s pretty sure she was on the pill or something, but he’s not really at ease about it. He hopes she won’t start calling him all the time now. She is home, trying to prove to herself that casual sex is okay. She feels lonely and uncertain about the relationship. She hopes he hasn’t had sex with any sleazy girls lately. She wonders if she should call him.
2. They have the house all to themselves. It has been their house since they were married two years ago. He helps his wife finish the dishes as they both try to keep the grins of anticipation from their faces. There is much playful touching and kissing. They both know how the evening will end, but in the meantime, they are enjoying every minute. Later, in a bedroom lit by a single candle, they rediscover the thrill that seems to get better every time. When it’s over, they enjoy just being close and whispering sweet, loving words to each other. When they wake up in the morning, they will still be together. Nothing to hide, nothing to fear, nothing to change. And it will be like this for the rest of their lives.
Which thrill is the best, the most enduring? Which is worth looking forward to and waiting for? Sex is a thrill—no doubt about it. But there must be complete trust, complete commitment, complete acceptance. Such attitudes are possible only in marriage. It is worth waiting for.
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