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Mainstream Portrayals of Sex Seduce Teens |
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According to research to
be presented the 18th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on
Evidence-Based Practice this week in Vienna, a sample of at-risk teenage
girls in Florida reported that movies, TV shows, and song lyrics helped
shape their impression that casual sex is commonplace and ordinary.
In the study, 20 females ages 14-18 incarcerated at the Okeechobee-based
at-risk intervention facility VisionQuest were interviewed by Josie Weiss of
Florida Atlantic University-Treasure Coast (FAU-TC). All the teens were
sexually experienced; many had had unplanned and unprotected sex. While
teachers and parents might promote responsible sexual decision-making, that
was not the message that ultimately shaped teens' attitudes, according to
the study.
"It's contrary to what many adults think. We don't think sex is normal for
teens," said Weiss, who is an FAU-TC assistant nursing professor. "I think
there are high-risk kids everywhere in every community in every school. If
this group feels this way, other kids probably feel this way."
Weiss hopes the study encourages parents to communicate with their kids
about sex to counteract the problem.
Of high school seniors, 60 percent are sexually active, according to the
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Sexual activity has increased
among youths 14 and younger in recent years, the organization said.
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Orlando Sentinel
(07.10.07):: Scott Travis |
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We are providing the above information as a public
service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay
media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases
does not constitute endorsement. The above summaries were prepared
without conducting any additional research or investigation into the
facts and statements made in the articles being summarized, and
therefore readers are expressly cautioned against relying on the
validity or invalidity of any statements made in these summaries. This
CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News
Update also includes information from CDC and
other government agencies, such as background on MMWR articles, fact
sheets and announcements. |
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