Teen Sex

Okay, that title wasn't just to get your attention. Here's actually an article on a Pediatrics study that Science Daily headlines "Sex of Any Kind Can Harm Teens Emotionally." And we get the general idea from the piece. Here's the thing. I'm not for promiscuous teen sex, except in Lindsay Lohan movies (kidding, really), but read the article. Isn't it a very nice example of a journal taking what are minor findings and highlighting them because the major findings actually go against what they are for? This, for example:

". . . up to one-half of the sexually active teenagers in their study said they'd ever felt 'used,' guilty or regretful after having sex."

Uh, . . . so that means that half or more NEVER felt used, guilty or regretful after having sex? Hmm, wonder what the percentage is of non-adults who felt "used," blah, blah, blah. Well, I'll be. No numbers at all on that. Guess only teens ever have regretful sex. But here's the part, coming only at the very end, I laughed out loud at:

"Among the sexually active teens, those who said they'd had only oral sex were generally less likely to report negative consequences, whether physical -- pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections -- or emotional.

However, they were also less likely to report positive effects, like feeling closer to their partner or feeling good about themselves. Such positive feelings about sex were common, the study found. In fact, the teens more often reported positive effects than negative ones."

Did you get that? ". . . positive feelings about sex were common" and "the teens more often reported positive effects than negative ones." So, actually, the headline should have been Sex of Any Kind Can Be Positive for Teens More Often Than Negative. But in a journal on pediatrics? So, we get the emphasis on the opposite, which is technically true but wholly misleading.

We rightly criticize deceptive science presentations when they support pro-tobacco claims or obstruct action on global warming. But these sorts of cases can end up doing similar harm. I'm not advocating sex for anyone of any age. When we distort findings, though, in the name of whatever narrative gives us the most ego boost and reaffirmation, we're doing science harm and clearing the field for the ignorance and blind relativism that make up so much of our discourse. It should be condemned whenever found.

Right after I watch "Mean Girls."

You think I'm kidding.