Monday, September 2, 2013

Sexity, Sex-sex, Sex-a-doo, NAKED

“Why is EVERYTHING about sex nowadays?” #FunFact: Sex being a hot topic yet taboo is nothing new. Yes, Miley Cyrus did the ABSOLUTE most at the MTV Video Music awards this year, but do you know anything about Janet Jackson during the early 90s? 3 words: Velvet Rope Tour. Do your research. In a sense everybody is having sex. If you’re not doing it, it is a thought that arrives often enough. #FunFact: It’s TOTALLY fine to have those thoughts because you’re supposed to. As I said before, as an adolescent you go through the most major biological, psychological, and social changes of your life; sexuality (i.e. sexual ability and awareness) is one of the most major biological and psychological changes. Though sex is a normal life process, the act is an EXTREMELY risky one. So why do people—more so adolescents—treat it so lightly?

According to Laurence Steinberg of Temple University (one of my FAAAAAVE psychologists), the time of adolescence brings about a high level of openness as there are gaps in cognitive (thinking) and affective (emotional) development. Steinberg, in a 2005 article, spoke of two key observations about brain development in adolescents: specific brain regions and systems that are central locations for behavior regulation and risk/reward evaluation undertake much development during adolescence; and the disconnection in adolescents’ affective experiences and ability to control arousal and motivation is caused by puberty-triggered arousal and motivation, which occurs before competence in mental self-governance is adequately achieved. Layman’s terms: adolescents have yet to get the tools needed for successfully handling the changes they are rapidly and involuntarily experiencing, yet they must “turn up” because there is a deep, unexplainable yearning for a “body party”.


No, I’m not saying that all adolescents—including you—are in desperate need of a lay, for I would be saying that about myself, and I am NOT about that life. Still, from 10 to 25 years of age, we are very sensitive to the messages that are sent to us on a daily basis about what we are to become and how to go about becoming that person. This becomes really tough when we don’t have enough ability or experiences to discern the messages matter from the ones to hit “Ctrl + Alt + Del” for. As the elders say, “If you live long enough, you’ll see it all.” Thus, the more experiences you have and the more conscientious you are in them, the less Miley moments you’ll partake in. Guaranteed.

- Brandon Avery

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