Virgo
Other than that untimely endeavor, the advice I’ve received on teen sexuality basically consists of a sex-ed class in which my greatest achievement was suppressing my giggles at the mention of the word "hump,” and an awkward dinner conversation with my dad after he discovered the existence of my first boyfriend.
That night I was simultaneously turned off of both making out and pasta with pesto. While I intensely stared at my left knee, my dad granted me a few uncomfortable grunts centering around the idea that "older boys want different things."
It’s no real discovery that society has changed since my parents grabbed their hiking boots and trail mix and headed out for some sexual exploration (gahh). Teenage sexuality has always been a pretty straightforward thing; we realize we have some virtually unused body parts, we feel as though there is some potential we should be filling with them. The adventures commence.
Sex, in itself, hasn’t changed, but the hype surrounding it definitely has. In the past, sexual endeavours were subtle, personal matters, considered with reputation and respect in mind. Especially among girls, there used to be a certain type of respect reserved for virgins, and a decent amount of pressure not to have sex.
I’m not naive enough to claim that before my generation no one slept around, but you didn’t exactly advertise your adventures until recently.
I believe that one of the reasons my parents and I are on a different page (to the extent to which we’re not even in the same book anymore), is that now, due to the media aggrandizing of beautiful women whose appeal involves their openness to sex, virginity has lost its righteousness.
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Comments
Re: Teenage Mutant Ninja Sexuality
By Bud Oracle (not verified), May 4, 2008 at 09:25Keep on writing and sharing your beauty, the world needs more of it.
Re: Teenage Mutant Ninja Sexuality
By HarbySidhu, February 6, 2008 at 10:02Kudos to Adrienne.
Re: Teenage Mutant Ninja Sexuality
By FrasaFlavee, February 6, 2008 at 09:46Adrienne I liked this article a lot. I chuckled at some parts, haha.
I'm so glad I haven't (and hopefully will never) had the awkward 'sex talk'
Re: Teenage Mutant Ninja Sexuality
By savannajm, February 6, 2008 at 09:44May I just start off my saying how much I adore your eloquent writing. I really enjoyed your article and caught myself literally laughing out loud...in class...thanks for the embarrassment :). I hope there will be more to come soon!
I really appreciate how you have been able to articulate your feelings on this matter; I too have these feelings about the taboo of sex between our generation and our parents.
In my family, I have never experienced the openness which I feel is necessary when conversing about this subject. As sad as it is to say, I even envy you for your awkward dinner discussion. The closest that my mom and I have ever come to discussing sex was a hasty phone conversation on my behalf, explaining that I was "protected" enough to stay overnight at my boyfriend's apartment. This she replied with a curious response of "So...*excruciatingly long pause*...you are sufficiently utilizing birth control?", and the conversation ended shortly after with consent that I would be home early the next morning.
This is the type of situation which I believe you have touched upon so vividly in your article and I feel reassured to know that I am not the only one unsatisfied with this scenario. If awareness of this issue is not catalyzed by this article; please be encouraged by the fact that you've levitated some of my troublesome thoughts of having a somewhat stunted relationship with my parents.
On a final note: You rock!
Re: Teenage Mutant Ninja Sexuality
By Heather Wallace, January 25, 2008 at 06:43I was called a slut in junior high school...because I dressed like one, in short-short skirts and see-through shirts. I hadn't even been kissed yet, so it was a confusing time. I'm sure you'll help to bring it all back for us old fogies - we can all relate, even if we're on different pages (or different books).
Heather Wallace
senior editor
Orato.com :)
Re: Teenage Mutant Ninja Sexuality
By Robyn Stubbs, January 24, 2008 at 21:06I whole-heartedly second that opinion, Derek - Adrienne, you have done a wonderful job of both entertaining and enlightening us and I can't wait to read more. When I was coming through high school, I could sense the shift that you're talking about, but it hadn't quite taken hold yet - there was stress and pressure and you weren't really considered a slut for having sex, but I wouldn't say us girls were carving the proverbial notches in our bedposts and advertising our conquests and experience like some of the girls of today. We now live in a world with information at your fingertips via the Internet and this attitude that we as a society are more forward-thinking and open-minded about sex and sexuality, but open and honest conversations with younger generations about those topics are still not happening. I think you'll help get those conversations started, Adrienne - so keep 'em coming!
Robyn Stubbs,
Community Building Editor
Orato Media
Re: Teenage Mutant Ninja Sexuality
By Derek, January 24, 2008 at 18:52I have to say that this article is rather fantastic. Completely encompasses the awkward, transitional phase that is adolescence and the sexual tension between genders that comes along with it! It managed to be laugh out loud funny and at the same time show huge insight into todays teenaged world! An impressive first, Adrienne, and I hope to see more of your work in the near future.
Re: Teenage Mutant Ninja Sexuality
By Brandy Gibb, January 27, 2008 at 12:29Definitely "laugh out loud funny!" Pasta with pesto will never be the same for me again!
Well done, Adrienne!