In the U.S., 1 in 4 sexually active teens become infected with an STD every year (Facts in Brief: Teen Sex and Pregnancy, The Alan Guttmacher Institute, New York, 1996).  It is no surprise to us that teenagers are involved in unprotected sex because there is a lack of good sex education in schools and the media sends us mixed messages about sex.
 
Among the seven of us, we have noticed that schools beat around the bush in sex education classes.  Teachers tell us not to have sex but then hand out condoms at the end of the day. The worst thing is that they give us the condoms but don't tell us how to use them. 

We don't think the focus on abstinence in these classes is working because we have witnessed
people actually having sex in the schools themselves. The schools are not the only ones sending mixed messages.  Music videos, T.V. shows, marketing campaigns and movies all exploit sex because sex sells, but they are not giving us the whole story on sex.

This month, The Candie’s Foundation promoted a new marketing campaign, "I’m sexy enough to keep you waiting". This is hypocritical because it is uses sex to promote abstinence. Because of the lack of good information available, many teens today believe the myths that they hear about sex. We feel that there needs to be a straightforward message to teens about sex, one that they can understand and use in real life. We wrote this to start the conversation.
 
We'd like to set the record straight about some myths that we have heard in school:



Myth 1:  You can clearly tell if someone has an STD.
Reality: Many STDs do not have any visible symptoms. Someone can have one and never know it. Do not assume if someone looks healthy that they really are.

Here's how you can remember this reality check: Seeing IS NOT believing!
 
Myth 2:  Pregnancy and STDs can be prevented by using different sexual positions.
Reality: WRONG! As soon as the sperm leaves the body, it naturally tries to do what it is meant to do -- get the girl pregnant! Gravity does not affect the way sperm works.
 
Here's how you can remember this reality check: If she's on top, pregnancy rates won't drop!

Myth 3:  If the male pulls out before ejaculation, the female cannot get pregnant.
Reality: BS! Even if you do pull out, there are fluids that leave the body before ejaculation that contain sperm cells. You can still get her pregnant.
 
Here's how you can remember this reality check: If you pull out before you come out, a baby can still come out.
 
Myth 4: If you use 2 condoms at once, you get extra protection.
Reality: Wearing more than one condom actually increases the chance that the condom will break.

Here's how you can remember this reality check: One is a must, two a bust.

Myth 5: Condoms never go bad.
Reality: All condoms have expiration dates on the label.

Here's how you can remember this reality check: Check the date or meet your fate.

Myth 6: Condoms are one-size-fits-all.    
Reality: It's important to wear condoms that fit properly to ensure maximum protection.

Here's how you can remember this reality check: Condom size matters.
 
Myth 7: A girl who is on her cycle cannot get pregnant.
Reality: Every girl's menstrual cycle is different, and sperm can live in the vagina for five to seven days after her period is over. So even if sex occurs during a girl's cycle, she can still get pregnant.
 
Here's how you can remember this reality check: No matter the date, determine your own fate.
 
With all of the information we have given you, you should think twice about what you hear about sex. It is not enough to believe or take for granted what media and schools have to say.  You have to check your facts, make sure the information you are given or giving is true, and always, always, always protect yourself.
 
 
 
By:
Hakim Andrews
Shaire Tolson-Ford
Darien Moore
Denzel Mickens
Shafeeq Coleman
Shawn Powell
Brandon Waddell