Sex and rebellion—is it what teenagers really want?

posted by Erin Davis on 08/10/08 | Twitter: @ErinGraffiti
Category: Media; ; 46 comments

You may not have realized it, but marketers have their sights set on your pocketbook, and they’re willing to show some skin to prove it. Advertisers have long operated under the mantra that “sex sells” but marketing has gotten increasingly sexy and targeted at younger and younger audiences. In fact, as young women, you are the target of a new kind of advertising that is intentionally shocking and sexual. Here’s proof. The latest ad campaign for the CW's Gossip Girl doesn’t attempt to hide the fact that the show is racy. In fact, marketers for the show are so convinced that teenagers can’t get enough of steamy storylines and inappropriate themes that they’re hoping to turn it into higher ratings.

The new ads for the show partner phrases like “every parent’s nightmare,” “ a nasty piece of work,” “ very bad for you,” and “mind-blowingly inappropriate” with sexy pictures of the series’ cast. These taglines are actually taken from criticisms of the show published by the Parents Television Council and in the New York Post and Boston Herald.

The ads are shocking by design. And the reality that this type of marketing isn’t really that rare. Candies Shoe Company is sure that a campaign featuring a scantily clad Ashlee Simpson will prompt you to buy their shoes. TMobile recently launched a campaign called “Strip2Clothe.” It invited people, primarily from the youth market (that’s you), to post videos of themselves undressing. For every five views, TMobile pledged to give money to a charity for homeless people. Abercrombie and Fitch’s ads and catalogs have long pushed the envelope for sexy content.

It’s enough to make those of us who are committed to protecting your purity and guiding you toward developing a Biblical worldview want to pull our hair out. And I think we should fight for you. We should find ways to buck the culture and encourage advertisers to clean up their acts. But the tide won’t likely turn unless you to stand up for yourselves and for your generation.

It is easy to point fingers at marketers for “introducing” these topics to you. But I think it’s a bit of a chicken and egg scenario. When advertisers are pressed on why they offer this kind of content, they are quick to say that they are doing it because there is a demand for it. They are convinced that you think sexy is cool. That idea had to come from somewhere.

The reality is that young women are watching Gossip Girl and other shows like it. On average about 2 million viewers tune in to the show each week. Most of them are teenage girls. An average of 4.7 million viewers turn into the equally steamy “reality” show The Hills. In fact, the show’s 2008 premier was the most watched program across all TV for viewers 12-34.

And the purpose of marketing is to generate revenue. In other words, it’s their job to make money. If creating campaigns using sexy models didn’t work, they would abandon them in favor of another method.

The bottom line is that among teenagers sex is selling.

While I can understand the temptation to believe that watching these shows or buying from companies with overly sexual ads is harmless, I want you to know that it isn’t. Marketers are watching you and they want to produce what they think you will watch or buy. Believe it or not, you have a tremendous impact on whether or not this kind of marketing keeps circulating. You can make a difference in the race to determine what is culturally accepted. Each of us votes our conscience every time we turn on our TV, flip on the radio or spend our money. By watching shows or movies with questionable content, or purchasing products with sexy marketing campaigns, you are saying that these tactics are okay. By refusing to do so, and by spending your money elsewhere, you are playing no small part in turning the tide of our culture in the right direction.

I think it’s important that this blog be as practical as it is idealistic. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic, but I’m also interested in hearing about pockets of culture that are doing things right. What shows do you watch that you think match up to a Biblical worldview? What products do you buy as a result of marketing that is wholesome instead of sexy? What can you do to convince marketers that young women, especially young Christian woman, don’t want to be exposed to so much skin? I have no doubt that you can make a difference. I can’t wait to hear from you.

Comments

HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

courtney

Re:
on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 9:19 pm

wow- when u think a/b it, there really are a lot of products that are advertised using sex. and the fact that girls don't care if their gender is presented as cheap is kinda sad. i certianly don't want a unsaved guy walking through the mall or sumthin thinking that all girls are cheap just b/c of something he saw.
lookin at bad stuff has always been a problm 4 me. but God iz givin me the victory to overcome.
its helpful if u replace the bad stuff in ur life with good wholesum stuff.
etc: if u strugle with watching tv shows that direct your attention in the wrong way, replace it! try watching little house on the prarie instead of gossip girl. ... or maybe cut down on tv time- write encouraging cards to the elderly ppl in ur church or read, spend time with God instead.

ama

re:
on Monday, August 11, 2008 at 2:03 pm

Hi I am kays friend
that thing about striptocloth is soooooo gross i dont wnat to ever use tmobile now!!!!
Ama

kay

re
on Monday, August 11, 2008 at 2:10 pm

oh my gosh . there is noooooooooooo way i would ever do that . But sadly soooooooo many other kids would . thinking that they are doing a good thing and getting thier own pleasure out of that . But this os The TRUTH. if you want to help[ the homeless , go down town or were ever homeless people are in you town , and help them your self . They appreciate it sooo much more. trust me . i ve been on a missions trip down town and they are sooooo thankful .And Tmobile will probally not even give the money to the homeless. And the homless really don't need mney. They needa bible , god , love food and water . ALso they LOVE socks. So i challenge you not to shop @ abercrpombie and switch from tmobil to some thing else . and help the homeless
love
kay

kaylee

totally agree
on Monday, August 11, 2008 at 5:38 pm

I totally agree courtney...it is really sad actually.

marie

Re:
on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 8:10 pm

I think that it is important that we stand against this kind of behaver, but i also think we need to be very careful not to be judgmental. I honestly feel bad,and sad for these kids, because our culture is so corrupt, it is the "hot" thing to do and I don't think they even think twice about it. but I think that weather or not they think 2 about it, it is still wrong. but that certainly does not make us Christians better than them. we are all fallen, and sinful, but we as Christians have the blood of Jesus Christ 2 cleans us from our iniquity, but these kids don't know any better, at least the main majority of them, so don't judge them for what they are doing. Leave that to God. But, yes we need to be careful about this.
I do a lot of my shopping at thrift stores. I can find a lot of nice wholesome clothes for a good price at Good Will.
Any way those are my thoughts.
God Bless,
Marie

Mel

Re:
on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 11:31 am

WOW--
ummm
i'm new to this whole thing, but reading this---
OH MY GOODNESS!
although I DO agree with Marie (the comment above me), I don't think it makes too much sense. Although you may not BLAME them for what they're doing, you can't make it acceptable. Because it's not. We know that we are ALL sinners, and i don't think anyone is being judgemental. BUT--
to say they don't know any better, that's kinda ridiculous. I think that WE should be teaching more of God's word, therefore, they DO know better.

God Bless,
Mel

tabatha

will the real christians stand up!?
on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 4:25 pm

i believe the media has influenced young girls so much that girls now live in a fantasy world. girls believe every lie they are told that they are not pretty, slender or even tan enough. when i was going to school(about 4 years ago) we didn't have all the hightech stuff youth have now, we had influences like brittany spears, christina auguilera and etc. but now girls believe that they have to take off their clothes for boys to notice them(not true). i know from experience i wear very modest clothing and i still got boyfriends in high school and college. i believe there needs to be a standard in christian girls lives which starts at home! if my mother did not tell me of the dangers of believing the media or about boys and the lies they tell i would probably be pregnant or have four kids by four daddies.the media has told our girls and teens that sex is all that matters sex is what sells well if i waned to sell my self i would put the stripper clothes on like most of the teens. jesus tells in the word to do everything in modesty god intended us as believers to not be conformed to the world but transformed a peculiar people or different. i am going to take a stand for what is right and say that you don't have to be like other girls be yourself and be the young women god called you to be. i am 22 now and i still hold the banner of purityor what media calls the v card like it is something bad. i urge young people to not listen to the media because you cannot live in a fantasy world this is the real world be who god has called us to be raise a banner and declare no more lies!!!

Bridgette

Re:
on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 12:46 pm

Hi everyone! I went shopping yesterday and i went to a certain store (I won't name it) but they had such gross pictures. They were of women with underwear and an unbuttoned men's dress shirt on. Nothing else, no bra, nothing. I was appaled(that's not spelled right!) But really, that is not what i wanna look at! Sex DOES sell, for some people and it is all that matters to some people, but that is what the media says and when you have never learned what is wholesome and good and pure, you don't really care. I could walk up to some of my friends and say, "You know that skirt is a little immodest." They would get mad and call me and old lady for caring about modesty, that happens to me a lot! I agree with Tabatha and Marie, but Mel, I don't know you and I don't know your backround, but most people won't listen when you try to teach them the word of God. They get mad, and it leads to terrible fights and things. And I'm not saying that you should not teach them the word of God b/c you don't want to lose them as a friend or make them mad at you. It's worth it, but, it may turn them more away form God, because when they think about Him, it reminds them of the argument or all the fun you used to have together and since they don't know the Lord, they still feel guilty. I do agree with you in the fact that you can't make what they are doing acceptable, and you can change some people, but many just won't take it.

Mel

Bridgette
on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 3:21 pm

Hmmm...

I understand where you're coming from.
That's why you have to hit 'em at the right time, if ya know what I mean. Yeah, some people WON'T take it, but that doesn't mean that you can't give it a TRY.

Get to know someone, be their friend. And when the time is right, bring it up. Don't push them, that's what's going to push them away. Just ask them, "Do you know the Lord God as your savior?" and if they say no, ask them if they want to. Don't just go out, "HEY! become God's child!' I can tell you now that's going to push them away...

I recently went to a youth retreat and my youth pastor (let's call him.....Chris...don't wanna use his name...) told us about this guy (let's call him...Bruce). Bruse was a nice guy, loved everyone, and was Chris's good friend. Chris never asked him about God. Never even brought it up to him.

One night, Bruce spent the night at the Royal Gorge. He waited for everyone to leave, and late that night, he jumped. Chris blamed himself. Bruce never got to know the Lord, and Chris blamed himself.

What if you don't have time?
What if something like that happens?
How you will you feel if you had SO many opportuinities to teach them about Jesus Christ and set them free, but you didn't?

God wants us to teach anyone we can about him.

Do you really want to wait until it is too late?

-Mel-

abby

simply astonished
on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 6:11 pm

I didn't know that Tmobile was doing that kind of stuff, I don't do that type of stuff, but that's still totally insane!!!

Hannah

Re:
on Friday, August 15, 2008 at 5:33 pm

Ok, sex like all other sin does sell, especially to people who don't know Jesus, that's our job-to go and tell the world that there is a Savior who cares whether they wreck their innocence and uncover their bodies and cares most especially about their dying souls. It's also very easy to get sucked into being trashy because its a ticket for beauty and attention in this society. We need to get in the Word to see what God has to say about his"jewels"and ask Him for the desire to be just that.

Anonymous

Re:
on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 12:17 am

were it says: Abercrombie and Fitch’s ads and catalogs have long pushed the envelope for sexy content. I totally aggree. Um, I thought they were modeling clothing. not bods.

jen

re
on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 5:14 pm

ok....im pretty sure ppl can tell right from wrong with the whole tmobile thing, i mean its not like they're blind! ppl know when they are doing something like that, that its wrong..

Bridgette

Re: Mel
on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 1:53 pm

I know what you mean and that is a really sad story :( Anyway, yes, some people will talk to you about it and some people will accept it and become Christains, but, some people won't. And as far as Chris and Bruce, Chris can't really blame himself, how does he know that even if he had mentioned God and Chruch and Jesus being everyone's savior to Bruce, maybe it wouldn't have made a difference. It could have taken a while to sink in, if you know what i mean. And, did you mention somewhere else that you were homeschooled? And that you knew a few, mostly Christian girls? See, I go to public school in a little small town in Northeastern PA, and God is not there at all, except for in a few people's hearts, and let me tell you right now, that you can't display the Lord to EVERYONE, some, yes and it will be quick, some yes, and it will be slow, and some not at all. I think that we have the same opinion and different experiences. But you've also got those people that will tell you they're Christians and act like it when the popular crowd isn't around and then, as soon as there is a popular crowd, they swear and dress immodestly. I don't go to school in a big city, so i haven't seen everything, but I've seen my share of some. But, again, i think that we just have a different opinion on how to bring it up and when is the proper time. So, that is my opinion, if you have enything else to say, i'll be gald to hear it. Talking to you is quite thought provoking!

God Bless!
~Bridgette~

Mel

Bridgette
on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 6:49 pm

Well, I'm honeschooled NOW. Just starting my homeschooling year this year, but have been in a public school for every other part of my life. Also, I said I only have a few girl friends, and some of them are Christians. I know MANY other girls, trust me. Just I am not friends with them.

Hmmm...
I know what you mean, definitely. Some people don't listen, and I know how hard it is. I just think it would be good to take that chance, and you can at least tell youself that you tried. God will know that you tried, and that's what matters.

I gues we DO have different opinions, and yeah, that's okay. I DO like talking to you, and would like to continue.

God Bless,
-Mel-

Bridgette

Mel:
on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 8:42 pm

Oh, i'm sorry that is my mistake, i thought that you have been homeschooled for a while, sorry!!!!! Oh, and yes, i have a few friends and know many others that i'm not friends with!!!!!! But now that we have agreed, we have nothing to talk about! lol!!!!!!!! So, if you have anything else you would like to talk about, i'd be glad to discuss it with you!

~Bridgette~

...

hmm.
on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 9:04 pm

I understand what you are saying. the world has come to look at sex as no big thing, Everybody does it at afe 13 and 14. Im going to 8th grade and we all found out that a girl in our class is preganet, Im not gonna judge her. But sex is selling and I find it rather gross. People make it sound fun,,but its really not. As i heard. I just got a purity ring as a symbol of my promise to stay clean.

abby s

DO something!
on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 9:32 pm

I like everyones comments about what is going on, but what are we going to do about it? Honestly, is us boycotting these businesses really going to work? Now, as of now, I don't have any ideas that are fully formed (hopefully I will in the next week or so) but I'm wondering what you guys are thinking... How can we combat this?

Erin Davis

Abby S
on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 10:46 am

Hi Abby!

I am so glad that thinking about this subject makes you want to act. You're right, individual boycotts might not be enough to change the culture, but it will succeed in guarding your heart, and that is no small victory.

But I do believe that your generation can make a difference. If marketers get the idea that that kind of advertising isn't working, they will switch gears. I would love for this to be a place for you to brainstorm ideas to create change. I look forward to reading what you come up with.

Erin Davis
LYWB Blog Moderator

marie

i agree
on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 2:08 pm

wow i totally agree, but i do not necessarily know ware to start! i will be thinking and will post as soon as i come up with any thing!!

Mel, i am sorry i did not get back to you sooner, but about your post above, I guess it is not my place to say weather or not they know better, so forgive me on that one. but, at least for me, it is hard for me not to be judgmental. also i totally agree that there is no excuse, but we need to have a passion for these people, Jesus came for the sinners not the righteous. any way those are my thoughts.

andie <3

"hinting on sex"
on Friday, August 22, 2008 at 4:36 pm

I read in Lies Young Women Believe that one of my favorite shows is hinting on sex to watch. but i love this show and its so funny. My parents and I watch it together and we are all strong Christians. I dont want to give up the show. & i plan on watching it tonight.but i am getting a promise ring as soon as i have $ and i find one, so thats not the problem. any advice? im stuck in a hole!

Abby S

Alrighty, here's an idea...
on Friday, August 22, 2008 at 5:49 pm

Hey everyone, well, I've been trying to come up with something to do in the past few days. It's not totally concrete, but it's an idea :). I went to camp this past summer and they talked on the last day about what we can do to change the course of our future. One girl wrote a letter to a newspaper, included her age, and they were so impressed that a young girl was thinking about stuff like that, that they posted it in the paper. One thing led to another and she eventually ended up speaking at a statewide event. So I think instead of just boycotting that maybe we could write letters to corporations and tell them nicely what we think and WHY we think it. I'm not sure if it'll work either...but it's all I got...anyone else have any ideas?

Bridgette

Re: Abby S
on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 4:19 pm

Hey, I have a website that you will love. you can sign the patition over the internet or print it out, and get other people to sign it then mail it to them. Here it is-
http://www.colleenhammond.com/petition.php Hope you enjoy it!

daughter of "THE"King

YES
on Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 9:27 pm

Abby S hi i am kaleigh long i toatally agree were do i sart i am willing to stand and be ridiculed for what is right and most of all JESUS CHRIST, GOD tpe me back so i know were to roll GOd loves you TOATALYYYYYYY

daughter of 'THE'King

andi<3
on Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 9:35 pm

hey i strongly encurage you to NO don't watch it. satan has so much power in a little black box called a tv but here is the answer we don't have to be ipmatized by it. you know wat ti really doesn't matter what I have to say. but listen to Jesus's words is his words it says "flee from evil CLING to what is GOOD" you now what Jesus and His oppion of you is the greatest thing ever IF HIS OPPOIN OF YOU AND WHAT YOU ARE DOIGING IS GOOD ask HIM what He thinks of YOu and the show well if Jesus were in the room while you were watching the movie would He stay and watch the show with you would He watch and laugh at the sin that He died an so horrably bore the weight o would He be ntertained at the very thing that nailed him on h CROSS it only takes a little vommit to spoil th brownies would you eat brownies with ust one spoonful of vommit in them OBEY JESUS

andie <3

daughter of "THE" king
on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 8:33 am

I am easing of the show. I only watchit on Wed. and the marathon that comes on on fridays. The show is That 70's Show and I totally believe that sex before marrige-especially when you arent even old enough to bve married!- is very sinfull. & I think u r being hypocritical because everybody has there own vomit in the brownie.

gia

to (one of the ) daughter of "The' King
on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 6:07 pm

you are really radical christian huh? your so right, (umm i didnt really get the vommit brownie thing but ok) but i think if all off us are going to write letters and such, we cant be so radical in the letters.
Evangilism (when you evangilise - meaning give testimonys, try to bring ppl to Christ) is like fishing. if you pull to hard, to early the fish will swim away. it takes time, but dont take too long or else theyll swim away. its a balance- you have to know when.

daughter of THE King

I 'm sorry I think there was a misunderstanding
on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 11:19 am

anddie and gia I wasn't tring to seem rude i can see how you took it that way what i meant about the brownie thing is a tv show can be ruined by just a little bad in it NO NO i don't think that if we mess up we will be ruined in GOD'S eyes trust me if that were the case i would be ruined long ago i do care about you and hope you can forgive my harshness andmabey even pride i do not beleive that watching the show is right but i do care about you anddie luv you and jesus doese to sooooooo much trust and love HIM and everything will be alright

Allie

Stand up!
on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 6:14 pm

Christians need to stand up. I don't date (and don't plan to until high school) but have had boys ask me out and I dress modestly. The bible clearly says to refrain from sexual iteractions until marraige. I challenge everyone who reads this blog to dress modestly and to stay pure until marriage.

Andrea or "Andie"

Re: Stand up!
on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at 4:38 pm

just last week I have had an opportunity to stand up for Jesus to a kid in my class named Max with a friend from church and school, Katie. Here is how the conneversation went:
Max: God dangit!
Katie: Dont say that! its insulting god. How omone sayd Max dangit?
Max: I dont give *bleeep*
katie: you just dont get it.
MAx: Y did God cre8 life if He was just gonna mess it up?
Me: Maybe He just did that so we can learn to rely on Him and trust Him for everything.

Bree

YUCK!
on Friday, December 5, 2008 at 9:11 am

I have had a recent experience that I would like to share.
I was standing and talking with some friends when this young guy (I know him from church) came up and just hugged me. I kinda juumped back cause I didn't know why he would want to hug me. It turns out that he hugged me for an inappropriate reason, and I was VERY angry when I found out.
I don't understand how people, guys and girls, treat girls like the are sex objects.
Like the songs on certain radio stations, the ones that talk about women in such a degrading (is that spelled right?) way. And most women don't even see it that way. They just feel good about themselves because guys want them. I would never, ever want a guy to treat me like, or look at me like, that guy that hugged me did.
I love coming and reading everybodys comments. It always makes me think about thing.
In Christ name,
Bree

blue_eyed_baby

what do we want?
on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 1:54 pm

I totally agree with bree! i too had an experience somewhat like that. i was at ICYC (for those of you taht dont know it is Indiana Christian Youth Convention) and i was sitting in a chair and i dropped my pen and i leaned over to pick it up and these two boys that i know were sitting with me cuz we had gotten separated from out group and one of the boys apparently looked down at my butt and when i sat back up i heard his buddy say "I SAW THAT!! dont think i didnt see that!" and the boy was like "i dont konw what your talkin about. what?" and then they both looked at me and i got embarrassed because there are people that call me dirty mean names because of the way i act. i am one of those kinds of girls that is always bubbly adn talks to everyone and people have called me names and started rumors about me and i jst want to let all the girls out there know: DONT BE AFRAID TO BE YOURSELF! DONT DO THINGS JSUT FOR THE GUYS OR BECAUSE YOUR AFRAID OF WHAT PEOPLE WILL THINK!! just this past school year i finally started being myself and not worryin about who liked it or not. I went for years, since about 5th grade thinking that it was the way i acted and what clothes iwore that would get people to like me but its not true its more than that and i am in 9th grade now and i just figured that out. i went 4 years thinking things like that mattered......

RaeRae

Disappointing
on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 11:43 pm

I started watching Gossip Girl because of Blake Lively. She is a really sweet wonderful girl and so is her family. Oddly enough we met at Church. I was shocked after watching the premiere at how racy the show was. I think that we do need to set an example and reject sex driven marketing. I think it would open doors for more interesting tv. Blake was offered the opporunity of a life time with that show and if it cleaned up she could maintain her success with out compromising. I think really the best option is to limit tv and and really think about what you look at, there's a lot of temptation out there but if God is with us who can be against us?

sara

what it does to guys
on Monday, February 23, 2009 at 1:08 pm

Its really sad that "sex" is accept everywhere and by most everyone. And since sex does sell its everywhere. And since its usually the girls that are being "used" so to speak. There almost always the ones being persuaded into doing it and are the ones on the front of magazines and in commercials for liengera [<---not spelt right] that guys look at us girls as there personal "toys" and that we dont have feelings. Even christian guys. I think that us girls have to really prove ourselves now because of what television and other things have made us look like. Its so hard to find a genuine guy now because of what other girls have allowed us to look like. (like playboy and girls gone wild and other things) It really makes me mad sometimes that guys dont respect me because of things like that.

Heather

I have a problem =[
on Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 6:51 pm

One of my closest friends is being very, very tempted to have sex. I've tried to help her see that it's wrong to have sex outside of marriage, and she thinks that it might be wrong but she doesn't care. She just wants sex =[

I think that maybe she thinks this way because she hangs out a lot with people who have already given up their virginity and drink and smoke (we're all only 17 and 18 btw)!!! I just don't know how to make her see that this (having sex and doing drugs) is completely wrong. It seems like she cares about what I think of her, but she doesn't think that she insults God when she does these things. Or maybe she knows but doesn't care???

Any ideas on what I can tell her to make her see the light?

Erin Davis

Heather
on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 12:09 pm

This is tough stuff. It is very difficult to watch someone we love intentionally choose to sin.

I think there are a couple of things you can do. First, pray, pray, pray. That sounds like a little step in a big problem. But God's Word tells us "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Phillipans 4:6). It also tells us "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16). This is an issue between her and God. Pray that God would change her heart and protect her in this situation.

Also, present her with the Truth. In Hebrews we read that the Word of God is sharper than a double edged sword. His Truth is powerful. You don't have to share your opinions about sex before marriage. Share God's Truth!

Finally, be loving. Don't confront her unless you can speak the Truth in love. I have a feeling that her desire for love and acceptance is what has her considering taking this step. Love her and accept her in the meantime. And even if she does make this mistake...love her still. Be salt and light in her life. That is what she will respond to.

Erin

Heather

Erin
on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 2:19 pm

thank you, Erin =]
I'll keep praying for her, and I'll share with her what God says about purity. thank you for taking out the time to help me!

xoxo!!!! thank you, again!!!

Heatherrrrr ^_^

Luna aka maddie w.

.......
on Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 2:48 pm

if any of u know rebbeca st. james. do u know she is TOTALLY against sex b4 marriage? i totally agree with her!!! i know how alot of teens have sex when they r still in h. school. my brothers friend told him that he had sex with somebody and he (friend) is still in 10th grade!!!!!!!!! in the bible somewhere, god says that sex is a type of "bond" with a man and a woman. but i really don't want to have the kind of sex that makes children. can i adopt?

Erin Davis

Luna
on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 2:44 pm

It sounds like you have a distorted perception of sex. Sex is a beautiful gift given to us by God. It is not something that is meant to be scary or gross. In fact, between a husband and wife sex is a tremendous blessing. I am glad you are committed to staying pure, but I encourage you to use God's Word to develop an understanding of sex that is more healthy. Sex is a great thing when used the way God intended it. Associating it with fear and disgust can cause some real problems in you future marriage. If God calls you to adopt, great! But do it because you are following God's will, not because you are afraid.

Erin

Luna

Re:
on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm

thanks! i might just go with adoption. but i don't want to adopt either because i want a child of my own. but i want to adopt at the same time!

Aleixs

Alexis- PLEASE READ!
on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 4:26 pm

I used to use Media in a wrong way to and it seems everywhere I look there is some kind of advertisement encouraging sex and I almost came a part of it but when I read this post I realized that it was wrong and I was instantly embarresed i think that the only way to put an end to this is by making everyone want to be a christan so they wont want to have sex.

Luna

Aleix
on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 4:35 pm

one other way to putan end to ur wrong doings is to ask God for forgiveness. u know that u can't make EVERYBODY a christian so that they won't have sex before marriage. i have to say, i know u didn't ask me to, but i forgive u for ur wrong doings. :)

Luna

Nichole

Encouragement
on Monday, April 12, 2010 at 2:18 pm

Be a good example to this fallen world and save sex for marriage!!!

Luna

these two loveBirds
on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 4:39 pm

okay, i had (i said had) a friend who has a girlfriend. and she was a nonchristian while my friend was a christian. so i guess it was her who tempted my friend to have sex with her "at least ONE time". so he accepted her offer and had sex with her. it took one time until they started to do it a second time, a thrid time, a fourth, a fifth and the numbers go on and on.
after the first one, my friend started to get really mean and aggressive. he starts cursing at his sister for know apperant reason. he gets angry over the slightest thing. and i have a boyfriend who's dad won't let him gte within a foot near me. his dad thinks that me and my boyfriend are having sex like david and allison (my friend and his gf), and we're NOT! we are both saving sex for marraige and i don't plan havign it untill then.
I would love to talk to allison about how they are kinda ruining my love life, but whenever i get the shot to do it, david and alllison disappear and make out. what should i do?

jackie

teenagers
on Monday, July 11, 2011 at 2:43 pm

i think teenagers want both. then again some teenagers dont. if we're not careful this world will take us captive in their things of fun. so we always have to be on guard in this world

monica

Re:
on Monday, October 29, 2012 at 8:46 pm

I think it's wrong to make it look like that all teenagers think about is sex, because they don't. It is wrong to put teenagers and young adults under so much pressure to act sexy because things like that are hard enough to deal with without the pressure. To tell the truth, most teenagers are either curious or terrified. That is why they think about it. It isn't that they necessarily want it- it's because there are things that they want to know, but they are afraid to ask.

Write a comment

Blog Ground-Rules

If you want us to publish your comments, stick to these guidelines:

No crude or profane language.
No hurtful comments targeted at other girls.
No personal information such as email addresses or MySpace and Facebook accounts. (This is for your own protection.)
Protect the innocence of others. (Not everyone has had the same experiences.)

Topics:

Share with a Friend Email Sign Up

Archives: