VMA spur 'promise ring' debate

Video Music Awards spur ‘promise ring’ debate
After VMA host derided Jonas Brothers, Jordin Sparks defended purity vow

By Mike Celizic

TODAYShow.com contributor

updated 11:27 a.m. ET, Tues., Sept. 9, 2008

A British comic’s jokes at the Video Music Awards about the Jonas Brothers and their “purity rings” have been decried as tasteless in most quarters — but they have also renewed the debate over what direction high school sex education should take. more

Sex-Obsessed Culture Can Damage Young Brains

By Pete Winn
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
November 13, 2007

(CNSNews.com) - Critics have long debated the effect on society of overtly sexualized images from television, movies and music. But one medical educator and physician has reached a conclusion: He thinks that because of what we have learned scientifically about the brain and the biochemistry behind sexuality, our sex-obsessed culture may be "warping" the minds of young people. (more)

teens, romance and contraception

from childtrends...

Teens, Romance, and Contraception? The Quality of Teen Relationships Influences Decisions About Contraception

New research from Child Trends indicates that teens in strong, positive romantic relationships are more likely to use contraception. The study finds:

• Teens who identify their relationships as "romantic" and who spend more time with their partners in dating activities are more likely to use contraceptives.
• Female teens who discuss contraception with their partners before sex are twice as likely to practice safe sex.
• Female teens whose partners are similar to themselves, particularly in age, are more likely to use contraception.
• Teens continue habits from previous relationships. Those who used contraception consistently in an earlier relationship (either on their own initiative or from a partner) are more likely to also do so in a current relationship, indicating that teens may learn from their experiences across relationships.

A new fact sheet summarizes the findings of the study, which was published in the journal Demography and analyzes survey data from high school students to identify contraceptive use patterns. PRESS RELEASE

immature brains -at risk behavior

My Brain Made Me Do It: Immature Brains Linked to Teen Risk-Taking Behavior
The teenage brain, Laurence Steinberg says, is like a car with a good accelerator but a weak brake. With powerful impulses under poor control, the likely result is a crash. And, perhaps, a crime. more