But sex is also something really important. With modern times and being able to actually choose who you’ll marry it’s an important choice to make. Especially being able to learn, see, and do so much in the world, it’s worth some thought. 

Having sex doesn’t always have to be a here and now decision. It should be with someone you care about and who’s on the same page as you. If only one of you wants to use birth control or condoms, then we have a problem. Want some practice with other scenarios? Take the National Day quiz! www.stayteen.org/quiz.

But you guys have figured that out…teen pregnancy rates are at an all-time low and have declined over 50% since the early 90s. Way to go! So let’s take a walk down memory lane and look at sex on TV since the 90s:

On Beverly Hills, 90210 the hip teens of West Beverly High were rocking polyester miniskirt suits and the grungy flannel look. Hot couple Brenda and Dylan were in a relationship; after a misunderstanding where she ended up feeling pressured, Dylan waited for Brenda to be ready to have sex. When the time came, Brenda was confident about her decision…but ultimately a pregnancy scare made them break up. They knew they weren’t ready for the long term and when it came to looking at their future together, they didn’t want to be together. Brenda said it herself, she thought she knew what she was doing when she decided to have sex with Dylan but in the end, she wasn’t so sure it was worth it.

A few years later on 7th Heaven, people suspected that Mary, the innocent young daughter of a preacher was pregnant. While they tried to figure out if she was, they talked to her about being in relationships and making sure the person you’re with is the right one to have sex with. They said she was too young to be making such major decisions…and they were probably right. Good thing Mary’s “pregnancy” was actually a mix up at the doctor’s office. She wasn’t even close to being done with high school and definitely couldn’t support a baby.

With the new millennium came a new set of TV shows. On The OC , Summer  and her on and off again boyfriend Seth slept together but it was unprotected because she “didn’t like the smell of latex” and now she’s a few days late. Cue a trip to Vegas, and Summer and Seth, the mismatched couple that stole viewers’ hearts, wondering if they were ready to be parents. Ultimately Seth proposed and Summer wasn’t pregnant, but the look of their faces at the end of the clip makes me wonder if things would have really worked out happily ever after for them and their new family.

Today, we have 16 & Pregnant where we see the real life challenges of being a teen mother. Definitely check out all five seasons of episodes and the awesome discussion guides we’ve created for each episode. We’ve come a long way, but we always have room to improve. Talk to your friends about birth control; what do they think of it? Do they use it?

Whether you’re in a relationship or single, planning on going to college or getting a job, it’s always a good time to think about protection. Staying abstinent or having sex, everyone has a choice to make good decisions. Happy National Month everyone!
 

 

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Syd is a junior at American University studying Public Communications and Psychology. She is from a little bit of everywhere but is enjoying her adoptive city of D.C. She spends time cruising the Internet for cat videos, sex talks, and graphic design guides. Have questions for Syd? Send her an email!Send us an email!

 

 

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Back in 2006 he performed this poem V for Virgin which was propelled to popularity by Russell Simmons—a pretty cool guy in the music industry. Simmons started Def Jam records which produces music by Frank Ocean, 2 Chainz, Rihanna, Kanye West, and tons others, so he knows what good sound is.

 

This poem is pretty sexy for talking about not having sex. But in truth, not having sex is sexy! You get to enjoy life and experience so many more things without having to worry about STIs or babies.

 

Watsky points out all the best things about being a normal kid, which is as sexy as sexy gets. Because you know what? Those  kids who go to school, learn about cool TV, music, countries, and politics are the ones who are the sexiest. The kids who learn a unique sport, card game, dance, or language are the sexiest. Doing your best in high school, while you have time to try all the weird and wacky things that come with the unique privilege of being in high school…that, my friends, is sexy.

 

I think George Watsky got it right. Because no matter how many crushes you get and get over, hairstyles you run through, or friends you may have, the most important person in your life is yourself. So treat yourself right, and enjoy being your crazy weird self for as long as you can.

 

 

 

What We’re Watching is a new feature where we break down what we’re watching each week. We’ve scoured television listings, YouTube, Twitter, and reached into the depths of the Internet to bring you awesome stuff to watch and learn from. Watching something we’re not? Let us know and we’ll take a look!