Blog Post 6: Teen Life, Dealing with Peer Pressure and Sex

Peer Pressure is truly a problem in the society, one of the hardest issue to deal with. Some teens decide to have sexual relationships at a very early age because they think it's cool and because their friends are actually doing it. Others are being pressured by whom they are dating. Still some teens find it a lot easier to just give in and have sex than to explain why they should not do it. They are getting caught up by their feelings and emotions and believe that sex is still one of the best ways in proving that the love they have is true.

In this post, I will share my learning based on different articles I have read on how to deal with peer pressure when it comes to sex. First article I've read was written by Ruth k. Westheimer and Pieree A. Lehu, entitled "Teen Life: Dealing with Peer Pressure and Sex". In this article, they said that peer pressure is really an unavoidable  part of adolescence and teen hood, which is true. They also said that it is essential to know how to know when to say yes and when to say no to peer pressure.

Weisthesmer said "Waiting can make sex even better. Many people start having sex when they are young, but because the situation isn't right, they never discover how to become great lovers and never have terrific sex lives."

I agree with what Ruth K. Westheimer said, it is true that waiting can make it really exciting for the both of you especially when you guys have been together for several years now. Waiting can show that a man truly loves his woman. This can also show that they respect each other's decision and accept what their partners can give and offer. Rather than rushing into sex, people must determine if their feelings are true and have a genuine love for each other.

Another article I've read was written by Collin Allen last 2003, entitled "Peer pressure and teen sex". He said that many teens, especially boys, have felt the pressure to have sex before they must and before they are really ready. He also said that according to research, many teens actually think that they should wait until they are ready before having sex but only few of them can really wait. In his article, he said that boys tend to be more pressured than girls.

Allen said "Teens feel strong pressure to drink and try drugs." 

I agree with Allen, it is true that boys are likely to feel more pressured than girls. They feel more masculine and cool when they already have a sexual relationship with the opposite sex. They have that feeling that they can brag those experiences with their friends. For me, in order to avoid these kinds of problems teens are facing nowadays, parents must know how to communicate with their children in any topics. Having a sexual education program can also help in teaching the teens the consequences they would face if they would do this kind of unwanted activity.