Christian Teens and Today's Culture
(Part 3)

"Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee."
--Prov. 119:11

by Marsha Norris

Part 3 of this series will look at sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and how they impact our Christian teens in their immediate environment. I apologize if you feel this topic is offensive; the truth is, the rate of STDs is increasing rapidly. Burying our heads in the sand will not make it go away. Knowledge is power. An informed parent is more effective than one who pretends his or her children are exempt from the consequences of what is happening around us.

(Here are Part 1 and Part 2 if you missed them.)

Number of teens surveyed: 35
Christians: 29
Non-Christians: 6
Males: 13
Females: 22

Do you know any kids at school who have an STD?
23% said yes.
I felt this was an incredibly high percentage as teens are not apt to share with others that they have an STD. Despite the blatant sexual activity depicted by the media, few movies or tv programs depict a character with an STD. Rather -- they misleadingly portray "safe sex" (using condoms) as total protection.

Do you know that condoms do not protect from some sexually transmitted diseases?

83% said yes

Do you know that some sexually transmitted diseases can not be cured?

88% said yes.

Is oral sex popular among your peers?

63% said yes.

Do they think oral sex is "safe sex"?

32% said yes.
43% said no.
The rest were unsure.

Do you know that oral sex can lead to gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, HIV, human papilloma virus (HPV) and possible hepatitis C? (Some of these diseases cannot be cured.)

86% said yes.

Parents, do YOU know?

Up to 46% of sexually active college women have HPV. (Medical Institute for Sexual Health [MISH], 1997.)
HPV causes genital warts. It also causes cervical cancer in women. There is no cure. Condoms offer virtually no protection.

25% of new HIV cases are in people under age 22. (MISH, 1997.)

I in 5 college students have Herpes. (MISH, 1997.)
Herpes is a virus that causes painful genital blisters. No cure. Condoms offer minimal protection.

85% of women infected with chlamydia have no symptoms. (MISH update, Spring 1999, Vol. 7, No.1.)
Known as the "silent sterilizer," it can cause infertility in women if not treated.

(Taken from the brochure "Killer Sex," published by Life Cycle Books, 1999.)

Parents, please share this article with your teens. We cannot educate our children if we remain silent.