AAMFT Members Newsletter - 02/25/2010

AAMFT Members Newsletter - 02/25/2010

John Mayer Interview

So most people have probably heard about John Mayer's interview with Playboy and his views or relationships, pornography, and racial issues. In previous post, one of my colleagues who is a staff member at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy provided some great insights into the article and John Mayer's comments on a Washington, D.C. talk show. Check it out and see what you think about it and how this relates to teens' views of Playboy, pornography, sex, and relationships. Click on "AAMFT Members Newsletter" above.

Back in action!

Well, after a long hiatus, I have decided it is time to attempt this again. Maybe it was watching the movie "Julie and Julia" that inspired me, maybe it was my passion for helping teens make better choices in their lives. Hard telling - but I am back to sharing my thoughts on the world of teens, sex, drugs, rock-n-roll, and all that good stuff. We'll see where we end up!

One of the things that has inspired and impassioned me has been the Lifetime movie "The Pregnancy Pact." I had been fascinated about this story when it first appeared in the news, and we had several discussions about it at work. It had faded into the background until I found a website, www.gloucester18.com. I was again fascinated, except this time it was the REAL story from the girls at the school who had become pregnant. They did a documentary on this story and have put together what looks like a great movie in the voice of the girls. Unfortunately, they need to find a distributor and have not found one yet. The film is being screened in Massachusetts soon (wish I lived closer!) and they will continue to try to find someone to distribute the movie. I so appreciated finding this website before seeing the Lifetime movie, because it showed how sensationalized the movie was. If you go to the Gloucester 18 website, there is a great blog that describes the differences between the Lifetime movie and the true documentary. It is a good lesson in remembering TV is mostly fiction, even if it is "ripped from the headlines."

Check it out and tell me what you think. And let me know what issues or topics you think we should cover. I realize I might be blogging to no one right now and maybe for awhile, but let's get this party started and get the discussion going. Talking about sex is one way to help reduce teen pregnancy - so let's start talking!

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