Sex Among Pinoy Teens : It's Shockingly Common

            

              Yes .  More and more Filipino teenagers  are having sex. More and more Filipino girls are getting pregnant .

              Look at these numbers .

• ·        Based on 2013 data  obtained by the National Demographic and Health Survey  , 32% of Filipinos  aged  15 to 19 , that’s about 6.2 million , were having  pre-marital sex . This is much higher than the 23% figure in 2002.
• ·        Based  also on 2013 data , 14%  of Filipino girls    aged 15 to 19   were either pregnant or are already mothers.
• ·        Every hour , 24 babies are born to teenage mothers
• ·        Among the six major economies in Southeast Asia , the Philippines  has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy  and is the only country where the rate is increasing. ( and that's  even in comparison with Western countries like the USA  )

What is happening  here ?  What factors have led to these  alarming numbers ?

One factor is the media.  A study in the US says that the average  teenager  spends nine hours a day using media :  that means   internet , TV  ,  radio . Filipino teens are not far behind this figure since the Philippines has been identified as one of the heaviest users of the media .Both the internet and the mainstream media  have  widespread sexual content , whether explicit or implicit . Pornographic websites  are very accessible . Sex videos  are just a click away . Even Facebook is awash  with photos of couples in sexual gestures such as  kissing ,   necking and even outright  fornication. 

According to a study , 80% of movies shown on cable television have sexual content . On the other hand ,  60 %  of music videos have the same type of graphic content .  And then ,  there are the local  TV shows --- from soap operas , to gag shows , and even news  programs --- that may not directly promote sex, but  are doing so in subtle ways  through  suggestive scenes ,  double-meaning dialogues,   provocative  clothes  and  other  indirect ways that  brainwash young minds into expressing their sexuality . Every day ,young people see  enticing images  and scenes  glorifying youthful  romance .

Experts say that  children and teens  who use the media for prolonged hours are at risk of accepting what they see as the norm . Their  social and cognitive skills are not yet  fully developed , and so ,  they  are very impressionable . Thus ,young people tend to believe the stereotypes they see on the media.

The media is not the lone culprit , of course . Lack of parental monitoring and guidance  is another reason for the shocking figures.  Economic pressures force both parents to work .  Many of them  are too tired and too busy to  check on  their children .  Also , many of them  are  digitally illiterate , making  it  hard for them  to monitor their children’s online activities .

Moreover , there are now  10 million OFWs many of  whom have left their children  behind. Although there is no definitive study saying that children of OFWs  are the ones getting  into pre-marital  sex ,  common sense  tells us that  parental absence  has negative effects on children. 

It is  important  to note  that most parents  do not know how to talk to their kids about sex.  Most don’t even mention it at all .  Those who mention it don’t know what words to use .  Teens  nowadays are watching  high definition hard core sex   videos  in some dark ,  remote corners  --- and here is the parent  mumbling  figurative  words  like  “ the birds  and the bees .”

Another reason is  the open  social environment. The existing family structure  , the freedom  of  mobility , the teenagers’ vigilance  on their “ human rights” ,   the permissive  spectators  . Filipino teenagers have so much freedom. Unfortunately ,many  of them  abuse that freedom to the point of self-destruction . They  do whatever they want to do  , wherever  and whenever  they want to do it . It comes as a shock to many parents , but that’s the naked  truth --- literally .

The last reason is that  adolescence is really a dangerous phase  of  life . Teenagers have raging hormones . They like thrills and adventures .  They are curious about their bodies  .They love and hate  excessively . Teenagers  are always  riding  in  an emotional roller coaster.  Jumping for joy  this minute , and weeping in  the next . These young people  respectfully and silently nod in the class ,  at dinner tables , in churches , in recollections ----but once  out of the adults’  radar , they go on a rampage. 

But if teenagers will blame their  hormones , the media , the society  and the parents for their risky sexual behavior ---that  would be unfair  and  irresponsible . That is running away from  accountability.  If teenagers these days  can understand so many complex concepts in the curriculum , there’s no reason  why  they would not understand the causes and the effects  of these shocking statistics.   If they want to , teenagers  can control themselves and behave  with reason    and  caution . They can act with maturity and wisdom  if properly  guided  by adults.

Parents ,teachers , church leaders  and government officials  should  come up with more aggressive  and  more creative steps to curb this problem. For so many years , we have been advocating abstinence   and self-control .  We have been  telling teens  stuff like  " Respect yourself. " and  " True love waits. " . But how many are listening ?It’s time to re-think  our approach to this problem.  We can try a combination of frank  communication ,  school lessons  on sexuality  and contraception ,  diplomacy and an occasional iron fist .

( Data are from rappler.com , Feb. 4, 2014 ;  abc.net.au , [ an Australian media organization ]  March 24 , 2014 ;  inquirer.net , May 15 , 2014  ; www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov;  pediatrics.aappublications.org )

                                                           

Happy 45th National Day , Oman !

How I Feel Whenever I Am In NAIA

Low and Crass

The Complicated Quest For Health by Marily Gayeta

  Since time immemorial , mankind has always sought health and longevity .  In the medieval times , hooded alchemists , in their dark mysterious  caves ,  mixed  elements  to find  the cure for ailments and  the serum for eternal youth .  These days , scientists work round the clock in sterile  laboratories , searching for ways to eliminate diseases  and  to  improve health . Equipped  with advanced knowledge  and  cutting-edge technology,  they  study and experiment   on almost everything : organic food , vaccines , laser surgeries and bio-robotics. Indeed , we have come a long way . However ,  the irony of the 21st century is that , despite these  milestones  ,  staying healthy remains a challenge for many people.

Each one of us is a part of  much larger whole where various social , economic and political factors mesh into  a complex dynamics.  That dynamics affects our thoughts and actions. In the context of this larger whole , staying healthy is not as  easy as munching an apple  or  walking  on your way to the office.  There are many powerful forces that will discourage you from doing these healthy things

                A major  factor  is  widespread commercialism  and consumerism . The desire  for bigger profit has driven  businesses to  launch  aggressive marketing ploys to sell their products. Giant food companies have forged partnerships  with  media companies to propel sales through advertisements. The media --- television , radio , print  and of course ,   the internet.  --- has seen phenomenal growth in terms of global  reach . Because of this , it is  the best  vehicle   to promote a product.

                Dr. George Gerbner  of the Annenberg School of Communications  in the USA  conducted extensive studies on the effects of TV viewing on people . He eventually came up with Cultivation Theory which   says that repetitive exposure to something will  have  cumulative effect over time .  Using a very conservative estimate ,  we  see  about 500  advertisements in a day . Every time we  see an ad , it affects us ---whether we like it or not , whether we know it or not , whether we admit it or not. No person can  totally shield  himself or herself from the pervasive effects of the campaigns.  The message seeps  into  our unsuspecting  mind. And this is how food  and beverage companies  win customers .  By  brainwashing  viewers  which  items to eat and drink.

               Every time we click the remote  control or the mouse  , we   see  advertisements  of sodas , fried chicken , hamburger , chocolate bars  ,  potato chips and many other  stuff  that usually appear on our doctor’s “ forbidden “ list .  The  meticulously created  ads awaken our senses  and  make us  salivate. They  whet our appetite and  stir a craving strong enough to  make us rush to the nearest fast food or grab that chocolate bar  at the counter. 

                             Advertisements  don’t just  sell food .  They sell addiction.  Addiction to bad food is not as disgusting  as addiction to alcohol or drugs. It  is not frowned upon by society  nor  prohibited  by law .  Nobody gets arrested for binging on pizza  or  for hoarding chocolate chips cookies. Because food addiction seems benign , many people fall into the cracks.

          On the other hand ,  what is obviously absent  in the media   is  the campaign  for healthy living . Have you ever seen an ad asking people  to eat more cucumber ?  Or to drink more fresh lemon juice ? If fruits and vegetables are mentioned at all ,  it is  because  they are ingredients of  a soap or shampoo. Indeed ,  that there   are  more vitamins in  our  bathroom drain than on  our  dinner plates  may not be an absurd statement after all.  

        Here is another factor : job expectations for  people in the front lines . Sales crew  in most  fast food restaurants  have quotas  to  hit . Not hitting  the quota means poor job performance .  In order to keep their jobs , these employees try very hard to cross-sell  and  up-sell. They charm  you into upsizing your soda  and  into adding  French fries to your order. They tempt you into buying  a dozen  doughnuts , instead of just six. So , instead of having just a little snack , you end up eating a pack enough for a gang.

               Product display  is another  reason. In  almost all  supermarkets , junk food  is displayed at the most visible spots ; that is ,  near the entrance , or at the counter.  On the other hand , apples , bananas and other produce  are  nowhere near our sight . This arrangement easily discourages  good food choices . Why  would  a hungry  teen bother to get the apple somewhere there , when he can easily  pick up a canister of potato chips here ?  

           If we want  to wean people  away from  bad food choices , junk food  should be placed beyond the eye level  of children , or better  yet , of the average adult.  Junk food should be put in the farthest spot in the supermarket. This is not infringing on the people’s right to choose their food.  They are still 100% free to get  the junk food they want --- but they would have to walk extra 40  or 50 steps. They will surely grumble , but the walk is good for them. In short ,  let us make it harder  for people to make the wrong choices.   Of course , this  is easier said than done.  Who would  initiate the re-arrangement of food stuff  ? The  government  ? Supermarket owners ? Consumer groups  ?  We know that food companies aggressively  negotiate  to get  the most strategic spot   in every supermarket . Glib-talking , well-trained sales executives  from big  food  companies usually bag deals  for the most accessible  areas in the supermarket . On other hand , farmers usually do not have lobbyists  or representatives to encourage supermarket owners  to prominently  display their produce .

Another factor is  the tricky  relationship  between businesses and governments. All  governments  know the value of the health of its citizens. However , in their effort to attract more businesses and investments , they may  be unwittingly  leading  their citizens into unhealthy lifestyles.  What they may not realize, ( or already  realize but choose to ignore )  is that whatever they gain financially from taxes , sales and employment , is  offset  by  losses   due to  illness and death . Take , for instance ,  the tobacco industry. It undeniably  benefits many  big and small businessmen. In under-regulated countries , cigarettes  are available to everyone ,including minors.  The tobacco  industry  continues to prosper because there are still  millions of smokers around the world . 

Let us take a look at  smokers in under-populated  Arab countries .  Smokers  from these places are young  men  who are or  will be members of the workforce .Twenty years for now , these  men will either be dead , dying or  disabled   due to lung cancer, throat cancer  or emphysema. The country would not only lose much needed human resources like  managers , engineers   and   teachers --- but families would also  lose  beloved husbands , fathers , brothers and sons.

Cigarette advertisements have been banned in many countries . However , this does not mean that these products  have no media presence. Far from that.  Cigarette brands are subtly positioned  and implicitly  advertised  within movies and TV shows , notably  in crime  and police series . The brand is cleverly woven into the  character or setting . Don’t we often see a swaggering  action hero lighting a Marlboro stick  ?  Or a sexy brunette, puffing Virginia Slims,   in a restaurant scene ?  These images  are just as powerful as  20-second explicit ads.  Knowing how  impressionable young people  are  and  how they  tend to imitate their showbiz idols--- it is not surprising that many of them , consciously  or  subconsciously , have  acquired  the  habit of smoking. 

Finally , the complexity of modern living   is another reason why staying healthy  has become hard. Technological innovations have  greatly decreased our physical  movements. We  are glued to our  computers  most of the time .   There is no need to go to a brick-and-mortar  library because we can do the research online .   There is no need to walk to a colleague’s cubicle --- because we simply need to send an e-mail or a text message . There is no need to  traverse the stairs ;  we use lifts and escalators. Movies and TV programs are  also getting more and more exciting. Computer games give us a lot of  thrills . So , why go out and jog ?  

We all know that an active lifestyle is an indispensable  part of  a healthy regimen. Research says that the benefit that exercise gives is unique and can not be provided by any food or vitamin pill. Unfortunately , exercise  is the first casualty  of  modernization.  

Also ,  many workplaces  have become  burdensome and stressful. For many , the office is a fierce arena where  almost everyone is fighting  for recognition and rewards. We work long hours. We brainstorm  to our wit’s end .  We rush to  beat deadlines .  We labor up to breaking point. In doing so , we sacrifice healthy meals  and  forego  of simple walks at the park  . Some of us  even forget to laugh .

Health is basic. It should take precedence over other things . We mistakenly  put family or  work first . We forget that disregarding  our health is tantamount to disregarding our work . How can  we  teach or create a computer program  if  we  are sick ?  We forget that neglecting our health is tantamount to neglecting our loved ones . How can we  take care of our families when we’re gone ?  

          We may accuse businesses of selling the wrong food .  We may point fingers  to  the media for brainwashing  viewers into destructive habits .  We may say  that technology   has turned into a  Mr. Hyde . We may  protest that all forces in the universe are in a conspiracy  to  make  us  unhealthy . But  in the end , it still  boils down to personal accountability .

                Yes , it’s still us . We are responsible  for our health .  We  must acquire the wisdom to  see  how the dynamics of society works  and how we can maneuver our way through it . We  must  summon the   will power to give up vices and habits that are impairing our physical bodies and mental capacities . We must do what is right for us . It’s  a beautiful world  out there and  we need health  to enjoy it . Thomas Carlyle says it all :

“ He who has health , has hope;

And he who has hope ,

Has everything.”

                   

Let Us Celebrate With Tact and Respect

           So , Mary Jane Veloso lives --- and that is really a cause for celebration  for the entire Filipino nation. We all believe ( that includes me ) that she was a victim of a powerful drug  and human trafficking syndicate . Her poverty and  gullibility  made her   a vulnerable prey . Various factors --- like the surrender of Mary Jane’s recruiter , the five-minute meeting between Pres. Aquino  and Pres. Joko Widodo , the need  for Indonesia to avert  a widespread  condemnation --- contributed to the stopping of the execution .  Technically , Mary Jane is not yet off the hook. A competent legal team still has  to prove her innocence . But anyway , all the celebrations are justifiable. Right or wrong , she’s our sister. Let us rejoice .

            Indeed , jubilation is everywhere : singing , dancing , hugging , street partying . Social media  now abound with expressions such as “ Miracles do  happen! ” and  “ God is great ! ”.  I believe  that such  words   and actions are genuine expressions of  gratitude.

However , I am not very comfortable  having such public  celebrations amid the grief of others. Let us remember that eight other convicts  of different nationalities  were executed through firing squad , a form of  capital punishment currently considered  by many countries  as barbaric and cruel.  All of them were found by the Indonesian court  guilty of drug trafficking .

     Two of them  were Australian citizens : Andrew Chan  and Myuran Sukumaran .  These two men spent ten years in Indonesian prison before that  execution. Australian PM Tony Abbott  and  many of his countrymen insisted  that the two had been rehabilitated during their jail term.  Abbott did not deny that the two deserved to be punished --- but he also said that they did not deserve to be meted out the death penalty because of the positive changes they showed .  Chan   eventually became a Christian pastor  in prison .( If he was simply trying to curry favors with the Indonesian  authorities , he would have converted to Islam . He did not . ) He bravely shared  the message of Christianity inside the prison of the biggest Muslim country in the world. On the other hand ,  Sukumaran  opened a painting class for prisoners  and shared his creative talent  with them. In fact , he spent his last 72 hours painting.

                                                 Chan and Sukumaran 

           Let us  reflect : when the families  of these  people --- to whom mercy was denied ---  read these things ( “ God answered our prayers ! ”, etc. ) and see the noisy revelry  --- how would they feel ? Didn’t they pray as well ? Didn’t they also cry for Divine intervention ?  I believe they did . Maybe not as dramatically and not as publicly as the Filipinos did , but I am sure , they did .  Which mother , which father , which son , which friend --- would not pray for the life of their loved ones ? They also exhausted  all possible means to get clemency for their condemned  relatives  , but we all know that those efforts were futile . To the Indonesian authorities , and to most of us ---- these eight people were drug criminals . But to some  others , these convicts  were  sons , brothers , husbands  and friends .

                                Chan's and Sukumaran's Family Members 

     Mary Jane was spared . For that , we should be grateful. But eight others were not. For that , we should be considerate . Their  families are in deep mourning and anguish  . Their hearts and spirits  are broken. Yes , let us  celebrate  but let us  do so with tact  and  respect . 

Are They Human Beings ?

              If you have been following international news , you will know that terrorism has become a global plague . Terrorists are becoming more and more cruel and barbaric --that you begin to wonder whether they are really human beings , or demons disguising as humans.

              Here are some of the evil things they do :

1. shoot military people and civilians 
2. behead or decapitate hostages ( recently , 2 Japanese . There were so many others before them ).
3. kill children en masse ( 140 plus recently , in Pakistan ) 
4.kill girls and women who want to go to school ( one of the victims was Malala Yousafai of Pakistan . She was given a Nobel award . ) 
5. crucify non-supporters and display their dead bodies for days ( in Syria ) 
6. burn people alive ( the Jordanian pilot ) 
7. kidnap young girls and rape them . Then , they strap explosives in the bodies of some of the girls , bring them to public places and detonate the explosives by remote control ( in Nigeria , by the terrorist group Boko Haram ) It would look like a suicide bombing at first , but of course , it's not . The girl doesn't even know what's attached to her body ; and she has no idea about the gruesome deaths that are about to come to her and to others .

                  What kind of people have the stomach for these things ? Burning someone alive ? Blowing up young girls ? How evil can they be ?

              Terrorists are recruiting online . They brainwash vulnerable people with their sick ideology . Videos on how to make bombs and how to launch an attack are available on the internet. New recruits don't have to go to Syria or Iraq to train. But if they do want to go there , the terrorist groups will send them free plane tickets . They have billions of dollars , earned from kidnapping and ransom , and sales of weapons and oil.

           Please do not share pictures or videos of the victims while they are being burned or mutilated or shot . These are propaganda materials used by the terrorists to get more recruits and to scare away peace-loving people . Unfortunately , violence attracts certain groups of people . So , please DON'T share these gruesome images .

             Recruits are also encouraged to launch solo attacks . " Lone wolf " . No need for permission from their commanders. The deadlier the attack , the better .

                   Filipinos , including those living outside Mindanao , should be watchful or vigilant .

I am not an expert. I don't really know the solutions . But I know one thing for sure :  we need a president  who can make  swift  , bold  and  decisive  moves. 

                   Terrorism thrives in delay and hesitation .