Heather Little-White, PhD, Contributor
The incidence of teen sex is on the rise in Jamaica. Ignorance about the facts of sexuality is one of the root causes of the problem. That, combined with cultural misinformation about sex and sexual practices among peers, our teens make sexual decisions which may end in serious consequences, such as unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and emotional pain.
10 common sexual myths
Myth No. 1:
I am grown up now so sex is OK.
As girls develop through the teenage stage, they believe that by engaging in sex this will bring about their complete transformation to womanhood.
Reality: Contrary to what is seen in the movies, heard at school or gleaned from other sources, the act of having sex does not change a girl into a woman. Girls who take this route look at themselves in the mirror after losing their virginity and expect to feel different - only to find that they are still the same person.
"Having sex has become the equivalent of getting a driver's licence. It's a rite of passage," according to Debra Haffner, president and CEO of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States.
Myth No. 2:
I am the only virgin left.
Hanging out with the girls has started to resemble an episode of Sex and the City. Everyone's spilling the beans about all the actions they're getting. They feel like a dork if they have not slept with anyone and they just want to be like everyone else.
Reality: Teens should not feel that keeping their virginity is a social scourge. It is a choice to make to boost self-esteem and create more respect when you meet 'Mr. Right'.
Myth No. 3:
If it is true love, the next step is sex.
You are in a secure relationship with your long-time boyfriend. You love each other and have even talked about future plans for college. He wants to have sex, claims he has been fully patient, and is now saying that if you do not relent he might take a hike.
Reality: A boyfriend who threatens, forces or cajoles his girl into having sex is not worth a minute more of the young lady's time. Going all the way is not something that can be reversed. It could have long-term emotional and physical consequences. There is always time to plan you life, further your education and sex will fall into place at the right time.
Myth No. 4:
Douching is the best way to keep the vagina clean.
Reality: Gynaecologists say the best way to keep your vaginal region clean is to leave it alone. The vagina has its own self-cleaning mechanism. Using home-made or over-the-counter douches upsets the vagina's natural balance of bacteria and increases the risk for yeast and other vaginal infections.
Douching can push bacteria from the vagina higher up into the reproductive organs and may also contribute to pelvic inflammatory disease, a major cause of infertility.
Myth No. 5:
You cannot get pregnant if your partner pulls out early.
Reality: It is nice to think that if your partner does not ejaculate inside you there would be no sperm, to join the egg. Males produce a tiny bit of liquid called 'pre-ejaculate' that is absolutely alive with sperm and it can be released any time during sex without males even realising it.
Myth No. 6:
Having sexual intercourse while standing up, urinating after intercourse or jumping up and down after intercourse will prevent pregnancy.
Reality: None of these activities prevent pregnancy.
Myth No. 7:
AIDS is a 'gay' or homosexual disease.
Reality: Infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is increasing more rapidly among heterosexuals than among homosexuals. It is no respecter of persons and many people are being infected with HIV through sexual activity with someone of the opposite sex. This is why it is important to wear a condom every time you engage in sexual intercourse.
Myth No. 8:
Many young persons believe that condoms don't work and it is cool to go 'bare back'.
Reality: If used consistently and correctly, especially with the spermicidal nonoxynol-9, latex condoms are highly effective in preventing both pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
Myth No. 9:
Masturbation is restricted almost exclusively to males.
Reality: A large proportion of females, as well as males, enjoy masturbation.
Myth No. 10:
You can only get herpes if you have sex when your partner has an outbreak.
Reality: Transmission risk is highest during an outbreak, but because carriers can shed the herpes virus at any time, they can also infect their partners at any time during unprotected sex. The best way to prevent transmission is to use condoms and dental dams for intercourse and oral sex, and to avoid sex during outbreaks as condoms do not always protect during an outbreak.
Knowing 'the facts' about sexuality is important. Without accurate information, it is difficult for teenagers to make responsible sexual decisions and to act with sexual integrity. Explaining sexual myths to our youth enables them to better understand their sexuality. Sexuality is part of normal development and everyday lives.
