Sex: we learn about it in Grade 9 Heath Education and Religion classes, in Biology textbooks, from family and, for many young people, on the Internet. The mysteriousness of the topic forces youth to scramble to learn about sex from different resources just to keep up to date with the sexual references made in their high school halls.
The friends versus parents dilemma erupts in a teenager’s life regularly when the topic of sex is concerned. Many Catholic parents will steer their children onto a path of abstinence until marriage; however, many of our friends will try to convince us otherwise by posing a liberal view on sex. We value our parents’ opinion, yet fear the thought of seeming “backwards” to our friends who more often than our parents provide reasoning behind their stance, saying things like, “as long as you are in love” and “healthy exploration.”
But we also have everything at the tip of our fingers with the click of a button. With the help of the Internet, we are able to fill in the blanks in our understanding of sexuality. However, this often leads to the easy access to pornographic sites, something that is seen by males and females, but most commonly searched for by young men. By viewing these sites, young people build up expectations and misconceptions as to what sex should be.
The Church reserves all sex for marriage. This is not simply a way to restrict our natural sexual impulses, but rather to use them for what they were properly intended, mainly for procreation and to build unity between husband and wife.
What youth often don’t realize is that sexuality at a young age is used to influence, manipulate and control others in ways that are harmful and destructive to the body and spirit.
Blessed Pope John Paul II said, “Deep within yourself, listen to your conscience which calls you to be pure... a home is not warmed by the fire of pleasure which burns quickly like a pile of withered grass. Passing encounters are only a caricature of love; they injure hearts and mock God’s plan.”
Sex should not be the result of peer pressure or us trying to “explore.” We must remember that when we walk on the path of abstinence and purity, we are following God’s path, and He is with us every step of the way. Being a Catholic means more than just attending Mass once a week. It also means following the word of God.
(D’Souza, 15, is a Grade 11 International Baccalaureate student at Blessed Pope John Paul II in Toronto.)
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