Too Young, Too Fast...

I've always been the innocent one in my group of friends. The one who has experienced the least, the one who is super cautious. I can be spontaneous, sure, but usually I've got things planned.

I guess I just take important things seriously...what may not be so important to you, is important to me. For instance, kissing. Kissing a stranger is nearly not as wonderful as kissing someone you have feelings for. At least, for me.

So at work yesterday, I was a little shocked to find out that the majority of 16, 17, and 18-year-olds at my work are sexually active or have been at least once. Maybe this is a shock to me because at 16 I just couldn't fathom this! Although I knew it went on, I suppose I ignored it all together.

So...I just have to wonder, has it always been like this? I know that sex among insecure high schoolers who may or may not be educated about all the dangers has always been going on. But has it always been this many? Maybe it was just well hidden in the 50's. Maybe, during my high school years, it was just as rampant...I just didn't know.

I'm making this sound like a disease, huh? There are, in fact, some high school students that may be emotionally ready for such a big step. But the majority, I'm sure you would agree, is not.

I asked one of the girls (I feel like a therapist of sorts sometimes, cause people just spill their guts out to me) why she had sex so young (this is a 16-year-old):

girl: I don't know. I wasn't ready. One thing just lead to another...you know? You make out and it leads to it.

me: uh huh, I understand...with all the touching.

girl: yeah, I regret it.

me: sounds to me that it was more for your boyfriend than for you.

girl: yeah, it pretty much was.

me: well, I hope that you were at least safe.

girl: we used a condom.

me: good...and anything else?

girl: what else do you need besides a condom?

me: my god! Birth control, spermicides...plenty! If you're going to put yourself in such an adult position, you've got to cover all your bases. Imagine, my dear, getting pregnant at 16.

girl: I didn't really know all of that.

The reason I find this so offensive, I suppose, is that I remember how insecure I was a 16. How insecure all my friends were at 16. If you're so unsure of yourself, how can you give your whole body in such a way to someone else?

Again, I was always the innocent one...so maybe I don't understand. All I am saying (over and over, haha!) is that it seems awfully young to me.