ABSTRACT
Sophistication today is achieved through sexual cynicism. Compare attitudes toward casual sex with attitudes toward smoking and drinking. In today's era, smoking and drinking to excess are considered declasse and have been replaced by health club memberships and mineral water. Less well known are the psychological and emotional problems associated with early sexual activity. Only one-third of girls who had early sexual activity describe themselves as "happy" as compared with over half of those who waited. Sexually active teens are more likely to be depressed; more than a quarter of the girls report depression, and boys are twice as likely to be depressed as those who are abstinent. Sexually active teens are more likely to attempt suicide; girls are three times more likely, and boys are eight times more likely. Casual sex has consequences, and the steady flow of students crowding campus health centers is a clear indication that somebody needs to be telling them the truth about the consequences.
