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PPL YOUTH SEXUALITY SERIES - INTRODUCTION

By PPL Board Member Dr. Patty Lee June

September 2019

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Dr. June is a practicing Pediatrician in Moultrie, GA. Dr. June graduated from Emory University School of Medicine in 1975 and has been in practice for 44 years. She completed a residency at University of Alabama Hospital, is certified in Internal Medicine and is affiliated with Colquitt Regional Medical Center. Dr. June serves as a board member of the Amerian College of Pediatrics as well as Presbyterians Protecting Life.

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What images do the words “Youth Sexuality” bring to mind?  Teen pregnancy?  Epidemics of sexually transmitted infections?  Although these are certainly part of the picture, this article and subsequent blog articles will focus on other aspects. 

 

First, definitions: 

 

“Youth” includes ages 13-25. The prefrontal cortex of the human brain does not mature until around the age 25.  This is the area where reason modifies emotion, where the pros and cons of proposals are carefully weighed and executive decisions made. 

 

“Sexuality” includes all sexually stimulating activity. 

 

“Sexual intercourse” refers to sexual activity with penetration.

 

The Lord God gave us both Scripture and science so it is not surprising to learn that in general those who attempt to follow His precepts lead the most satisfying lives.  In the beginning God created a man and woman and gave them to each other in marriage for companionship and to raise up godly children to fill the earth.  The marriage was followed by Adam “knowing” his wife, a biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse, and Jesus stated that it was God’s intent that this be a lifelong commitment.

 

According to surveys

• Married couples rate their sexual satisfaction higher than do unmarried couples;

• Children born to parents who finish school, find employment, marry, and then have children have less than a 2% poverty rate in the US. 

• Couples who wait for marriage have lower divorce rates and their children are less likely to be sexually abused, fail at school, become single parents, be incarcerated.

 

Upcoming PPL blogs:

• More benefits to youth to wait for marriage

• Suggestions for youth

• Suggestions for parents