Cons of Teenage Dating
The teenage years are full of new experiences, such as dating. When teenagers start dating, it adds stress to the parent-child relationship. Parents are faced with the decision to allow their child the freedom to date. Unfortunately, teen dating puts both girls and boys on the front lines of danger associated with forming relationships.
Other People Are Reading
-
Physical Abuse
-
When teenagers begin dating before they are ready, it can lead to physical abuse. While the most common recipient of physical abuse tends to be female, male partners are also at risk. In a study done by the California Department of Education shows that 20 percent of high school females reported being physically abused by their partners. This abuse is usually hitting, kicking, slapping and pinching. Nationwide, a staggering 1.5 million high school students are physically abused each year by their partners.
Sexual Abuse
-
Sexual abuse is a big concern for dating teens. More than half of reported rapes are from teenage females between 12 and 24. Likewise, half of adult sex offenders committed their first sex crime before the age of 18. The effects of sexual abuse are devastating and long lasting. It can lead to destructive behaviors, depression and even suicide.
-
Teen Pregnancy
-
More teens are dating and having unprotected sex. This leads to more unplanned teenage pregnancies. Teenagers who become pregnant are more likely to drop out and become involved in drugs. Teenage mothers are also more likely to suffer from post-partum depression. Teen pregnancy is also dangerous for the baby. Low birth weight and premature delivery are common in babies born of teenage mothers.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
-
As teens become sexually active, the chance of contracting an STD increase greatly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that teenagers contract 9.5 million cases of STDs per year. The likelihood of getting an STD also increases as number of sexual partners increase. Many teenage girls take birth control, but the only birth control method that prevents STD's is condoms.
-
References
- Photo Credit moody teen image by pixelcarpenter from Fotolia.com
