Sexting is back in the news and I am reminded what Wendy Squires wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald titled "Our Cultures Sexual Pressures leave girls dangerous exposed" which compiled a list of specific illustrations that have been generically written about for some time.
Although Wendy Squires said nothing new, the explicit nature of how the information was conveyed bought to book the alarming trends in Australia, of young women who are not afraid of technology relating to their sexuality and moreover, there is sense of willing adventurism with many of them.
One illustration Wendy Squires gives, and mind you, she is shocked and horrified by the revelations herself, is a 17 year old who happily sends 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 brush-stroke 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
Christian Today has published numerous articles relating concern 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 the evident situations 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. Reality in such matters is difficult to describe on paper.
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
I've been regularly reading where a new generation of mother's 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.
This is where 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 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?"
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
