A Sex Map

I’m a mom of teenagers, but most importantly, I WAS a teenager once, so I KNOW teenagers have sex. I knew when my boys hit the teenage years I was going to have to reiterate time and time again that anytime they had sex they could create a life, therefore they would have to be extremely careful, not just because they could create a life, but also because they could get a sexually transmitted disease (Trust me, I stressed abstinence, too).

 Every time I bring it up, I get, I know Mom. But that doesn’t stop me from repeating myself. It’s just too damn important. A baby at sixteen, nineteen, or even twenty-two, when they haven’t even finished college, gotten a decent job, or gotten married, could effect their lives in ways they can’t even begin to imagine.

I’m open about sex, but I’m not sure I like this new interactive map—Where Did You Wear It—compliments of Planned Parenthood. Sex is supposed to be intimate and meaningful, but this map reads like a freaken road trip.

 I understand there are parents who don’t communicate sexual information to their children and the fact pages of the site are quite useful; I just don’t get the map. To me, it’s like making a joke about when and where you and your partner have sex. That’s not something to joke about.

 A lot of adults say that teenagers are too immature to have sex, this map proves that point. What the heck is wrong with PPH? Do they THINK sex is funny? A joke? Something to advertise? They need to wise the hell up. Give useful information but stop with the pinning of sexcapades. No one needs to KNOW that type of information unless people want to talk about it, then let them talk amongst themselves. It doesn’t need to be advertised on the internet, and especially on an interactive map.

And parents, if you can do anything for you kids, TALK WITH them, even if it makes YOU feel uncomfortable. You were a teenager once. All you need to do is remember back when YOU were that age and how you wish your parents would’ve treated you. It isn’t that difficult. Treat them like people, with dignity and respect. It goes a long way.