FREE ESSAY ON SEX NOW AND THEN

SEX NOW AND THEN

Sex Now and Then
Sex is one of the most heated issues in our society today. Obviously sex has always been
here, but in the past people were at least a little more discreet and respectful, and it
was much more common for sex to be honored in marriages only. Now, sex education is
taught to junior high school students, teachers are giving out condoms, and sex is so far
from being sacred that it's sad. 
Slowly it has been revealed to in layer, in such a way that we are no longer surprised
that America is one of the leading countries for sex - related problems. How did it go
from sex representing a bond of love between man and wife, to multiple sex partners,
sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancies that are usually unwanted? Who or what is
to blame for the obvious decline in our values? 
Before fingers are pointed, take a look at a few problems we are having today. There is a
lack of communication between parents and children, the media is infested with sex,
broadcasting it on television and theatres, and even on radios to audiences of all ages,
and the thought of any principles being displayed in anyone's daily life seems ancient.
Everyday new commercials are aired desperately encouraging parents to discuss with their
children what is going on in their lives. 
Most teens faced with the overwhelming decision of sex are unaware of all the
consequences it can bring. Perhaps the teachers skim over the 'ugly part' of sex, which
usually includes the physical diseases and pregnancies, but parents need to re -
emphasize these problems and warn their children of the emotional pain that can come with
having sex before total commitment, love and trust is in the relationship. Some parents
would argue that they do know what is going on their kid's lives and that can learn for
themselves about sex. I disagree. Too many times parents assume that their children are
doing well without their help, and never even ask about how things are going. Sex is
openly discussed just about everywhere, except for the one place it needs to be - in the
home for helpful answers to problems, and to be cherished in marriages. A parent should
be the first place a child can come to just to talk about anything in their lives. 
Another reason sex is so popular these days is because it is publicized everywhere. I see
it on television and theatres, hear it in the music, and eventually end up excited about
the idea just like everyone else. There is nothing wrong about being excited, but sex is
shamelessly overrated, and as it is, it's sending out confusing messages to children who
should not even have to deal with such decisions so early in life. Our society portrays
sex carelessly, implying that because it is everywhere, than it's acceptable and then
they expect everyone to think for him or herself. That's impossible when some of these
kids are young, and still depend on their parents for lunch money and rides to school. 
Another good myth is that if it feels good then it's okay to go ahead and have sex. The
truth is usually it does feel good, but that doesn't make it okay all the time and it
does not omit anyone from the harmful consequences it can bring such as gross diseases,
early pregnancies, and guilt and pain for the rest of your life. Unless things change, a
lot of children, teens, and adults will be fooled by the way our media views sex, and the
result will be more clueless people messing up their lives in a way that can never be
changed.
The last and perhaps most relevant reason for so much sex outside of marriages is the
decline of Americas morals and values. It's not uncommon at all for a person to have had
sex with four or five people before getting married. Their spouse usually being one of
those few, they have already slept with. Nor, does it shock anyone these days to hear
about young girls having abortions because they wanted to have sex, but didn't want to
deal with the repercussions of it. 
A while back I would see newspaper headlines about adults dying of AIDS because they
didn't realize the huge responsibility that comes with it like being extremely careful
with multiple partners, but now I don't see to many of those articles because so few
people care about it anymore. When these happenings are so commonplace that people are
not even sensitive to seeing them, then our country needs to take a serious look at the
principles it was founded on. We have let out morals slip away so nonchalantly that we're
not even bothered by these things anymore and don't even care if they happen. 
No wonder sex is everywhere and teenagers are doing it before marriage, because we sit
back and allow it, with hardly any prevention whatsoever. There are so many more reasons
premarital sex is so normal now, opposed to 40 years ago; I could go on forever. But, I
think the point is clear that we have some serious problems that are not getting
attention. I don't see parents fully understanding the depth of their children's need for
help with decisions in life through open communication with one another. 
This past years America had multiple shootings at high schools within months of each
other and these parents didn't even know the kids had serious problems. Is that what you
call lack of communication? The media is very bold about sex, and is only getting
stronger as they continue to promote more of it, leaving people more confused about
what's right for them. It is beginning to chip away at our basic values and that's why
more people are choosing to have sex before marriage then any other time in the past.
Today, nobody thinks it's that wrong anymore.