MANY TEENAGE GIRLS FEEL PRESSURED INTO SEX: STUDY
By Amy Norton
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Teenage girls commonly have sex not because they want to, but because they feel pressured into it - and the result may be a higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, a new study suggests.
Researchers found that among 279 teenage girls they interviewed, many said they'd given in to unwanted sex at some point because they were afraid their boyfriend would get angry.
The study included girls between the ages of 14 and 17 who were seen at urban health clinics in Indianapolis. Over about two years, the girls were periodically interviewed about their current relationships, including any instances of unwanted sex over the past three months. Specific questions included: "Would he break up with you unless you had sex?" and "Would he get mad if you didn't want to have sex?"
In all, 41 percent said they'd had unwanted sex at some point. The most common reason was fear that their boyfriend would become angry. Ten percent, though, said their partner forced them have sex when they didn't want to. About 5 percent said they'd had sex after being offered money or gifts.
Girls who reported unwanted sex also reported less condom use, a poorer relationship quality and a higher rate of pregnancy than their peers, the study found.
Girls who reported unwanted sex were more likely than their peers to have a partner who smoked marijuana, and other studies have linked drug and alcohol use to forced or unwanted sex.
Substance use can blur the line between consensual and non-consensual sex, the researchers write, and boys who use drugs or alcohol may become "less sensitive" to what their partners want or don't want.
SOURCE: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, June 2006.
story courtesy news.yahoo.com, 6/6/06 & picture courtesy images.google.com
Live to Please God
1Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You are doing this already, and we encourage you to do so more and more. 2For you remember what we taught you in the name of the Lord Jesus. 3God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. 4Then each of you will control your body and live in holiness and honor-- 5not in lustful passion as the pagans do, in their ignorance of God and his ways. 6Never cheat a Christian brother in this matter by taking his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. 7God has called us to be holy, not to live impure lives. 8Anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human rules but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
WHY MUST FOLLOWERS OF JESUS FIGHT SEXUAL SIN?
The apostle Paul goes into some detail as to why, but let's summarize and consider:
Because God wants us to be holy. Sexual desires and activities must be placed under Christ's control in our lives. God came up with the idea of sex. He has given it as a gift to be enjoyed for pleasure and to make babies - but only as an expression of love between a husband and wife.
Because sexual sin causes so much hurt and damage. When sex takes place outside a marriage relationship, people get hurt, relationships are ruined, girls get pregnant (and often have abortions), guys abandon the young moms, diseases are passed around, the witness for Christ's cause suffers, people are full of guilt, dignity is lost......
Because of God's judgment and punishment. Since God is holy and just, He brings and allows consequences for our sins.
BUT GOD HAS AMAZING GRACE AND OFFERS HIS FORGIVENESS BECAUSE HE LOVES US!
- Read Paul's words in 1st Corinthians 6:18-20 about our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit. Every day, as you face sexual pressure in our sensual culture, remember that the Holy Spirit is in you.
- If you are a teenager, pray every day for Jesus to keep you sexually pure.
- If you are an adult, pray everyday for Jesus to keep the teens you know, sexually pure.
- Students, use this Devo to talk to some friends about starting an accountability group. (not with the opposite sex!)
Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.