It is 2020. Let’s take a look at 30-40 years ago. In the seventies there was a plethora of literature published as to how girls were at such a disadvantage socially and a huge effort went into ensuring our young women were provided equal opportunity in education and social mores.
My three daughters were beneficiaries, now adults in their 30 and 40s with degrees in Law, Psychology and Accountancy and mums.
Today young women are not afraid of IT technology or their sexuality and moreover, there is sense of willing adventurism with many. This has become front and centre with young women.
In a recent article I cited Wendy Squires SMH who was shocked and horrified by the revelations that her 17 year old daughter was happily sending sexually provocative nude photos of herself through texting: ''I do all the time. Everyone does. It's fun. I just make sure I always look hot …..''
Squires writes: “To feel accepted, teenage girls I speak to, admit it is no longer enough to be thin, pretty and hairless - they must also be sexually potent. Instead of learning about their bodies through fumbling kisses and awkward petting, young women are performing oral sex on boys they've just met in toilet blocks. They consider anal penetration not only routine, but safe (no chance of pregnancy). Most say they are yet to experience an orgasm of their own.
And Wendy Squires hits the mark when she writes: “Yes, I know I am making broad brushstroke generalisations here and not every young girl is treating her body as a receptacle, or intending to send sexually available signals with their appearance. But the fact is that there is a generation of boys who are learning the art of seduction by watching porn, expecting their partners to be as willing, worked-up and compliant as the women moaning and writhing on screen.”
The issue is across the board
There are ample articles on similar themes, particularly how the effects of pornography on both young men and young women are challenging tradition Christian modesty and chastity absolutes.
Christian Today likewise have published articles expressing concern of how pornography is drawing alarm over children's ready access to it and its long term harmful effects. The obvious outcome is evident in every “suburban street Australia” the likes of which Wendy Squires addresses in her article.
Squires asks: “How does a 10-year-old ever get over the humiliation of having a picture of themselves naked out there in the cyber ether forevermore? And how does a recipient of such a photo get over the fact that if they are found with the image, they can be charged as a paedophile dealing in kiddie porn?
“And herein lies the problem with ''kidults'' fast-tracking their life experiences. They are, underneath the make-up and miniskirts, still emotionally children. It is up to adults to show them what maturity really is.” Squires sums up: “Surely, being a responsible parent and role model is a good place to start?”
And Wendy Squires is spot-on. Parents have a huge influence. But it is not the only influence. Peer pressure is far reaching, insidious and incredibly powerful.
And what of teenage boys
But that is only part of the story. What of the young men?
Clearly Wendy Squires acknowledges that the porn both young (teenage) men and young (teenage) women view (seen) as normal behaviour is having a draconian effect on a generation of young people.
Young (teenage) men are faced with young (teenage) women who are quite willing to be the passion of their physical desires but it is hardly as simple as that. Young men get turned, as it were, and inexperienced and naive young women have little semblance of the emotional exhaustion young men experience not being able to follow through these physical and emotional power-houses within their being.
Moreover the confusing signals being sent by these young (teenage) women of availability yet not-touchable without another variety of signals become problematic to say the least to young men.
So, who is looking out for the nation's young (teenage) men?
Teenage boys mother's
Strange this question should be asked now, post a full generation since their mothers were radical young women. This new generation of mother's (seventies, eights and nineties) of teenage boys have now become acutely aware of this problem, as it was not that long ago they were the very girls 'putting-it-out-there'.
They are witnessing first hand the other side of the coin and realising their sons are at risk. In effect they have become fearful for their boys in this terrifying mix of dangerous youth sexuality.
I adhere to Wendy Squires responsible comments about 'parents' and this new wave of pro-active mother's with teenage sons are drawing together. The Scriptures are replete with such parental responsibility.
There is something to be said for in the potions of love as described in The Song of Solomon (Song of Sings) and mysteries of such delightful sentiments before marriage which has served generations well, particularly by those who have followed the Lord.
Indeed Jane Austin knew how to conclude within the final chapter in a book, of what we know as the genre of 'period romance', with those four heart warming words: “Will you marry me?”