Sexual Promiscuity


Physical changes, new emotions, and sexual urges all contribute to the quest to define a sexual identity during adolescence.

Sexual promiscuity can be a response to meeting one’s own needs, reaching some acceptable level of sexual knowledge and experience, or making a statement to peers or parents. Sexually promiscuous relationships are not seen as an expression of intimacy within the parameters of a genuine concern for the needs and interests of others (i.e., rather than within a healthy marriage relationship).

What Prompts Sexual Promiscuity?

Teenagers may identify a variety of reasons as to why they participate in sexual activity, including:
  • Inquisitiveness
  • Physical urges
  • All their friends are “doing it”
  • It is proof of their desirability and popularity
  • It proves they really love their partner
  • It represents a “rite of passage” into adulthood (since sexual activity is considered appropriate behavior for adults)  

How Do You Develop Sexual Restraint In Teenagers?

While education has value, providing more information about sex, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases are not the only ways to help teenagers make better choices. Besides these things, what they really need is a safe place, like TreeHouse, to ask questions, express fears, and share feelings about sex. They also need clear messages about the benefits of abstinence and sexual boundaries, as well as respect for the values and feelings of their partners.

With the pressures to be sexually active, they need a voice that affirms who they are and helps them understand their sexual identity apart from sexual intercourse. It is important to be able to answer the questions, “Who am I as a sexual being?” and “Am I normal?”

If young people can feel secure in themselves and have a healthy understanding of their sexual identity, it is easier to choose abstinence. Being sexually abstinent also protects a teen from being used by others to meet their needs during the sexual exploration phases of their development.

Resources

Books:

  • Arterburn, Stephen. (2009).  Every Young Man’s Battle. WaterBrook Publishing.
  • Arterburn, Stephen. (2009).  Every Young Woman’s Battle. WaterBrook Publishing.
  • DiMarco, Hayley. (2006).  Technical Virgin: How Far Is Too Far?  Revell.  (Great resource for teen girl)
  • DiMarco, Hayley.  (2006).  Sexy Girls:  How Hot Is Too Hot?  Revell.  (Great resource for teen girl)
  • Meeker, Meg.  (2007).  Your Kids At Risk:  How Teen Sex Threatens Our Sons and Daughters.  Regnery Press.

Websites:

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