Surveys show that the vast majority of young people want to marry and raise children with a spouse. With responsible adults focusing mainly on the pitfalls of sexual activity, the task of showing young people what sex and love have to offer is left to that trusted family friend, television. In this universe sex is everything, and the beautiful people, the glamorous people, the people who matter, are having it all the time. There's almost no sexual negotiation, no portrayal of sexual communication, no limit setting, very little condom and contraceptive use. The Chicago study painted a picture of sex in America that was much more moderate and restrained.
Society elicits sexual behavior in kids.
Busy with their battles over propaganda and prophylactics, adults aren't addressing young people's yearning for intimacy, for contact, for connections that prove they matter. It's a maelstrom. And we've abandoned kids to it. She writes frequently on youth issues. All letters to the editor are for publication and may be edited for length and clarity.