Posted on 12/15/2006 6:32:58 AM PST by Atlantic Bridge
German kids like their sex. A survey of European teen sex habits has found that only pubescents from Iceland are quicker to jump in the sack. But when it comes to safety, the Dutch are tops.
The casual observer in Germany might be forgiven for thinking the Germans are oversexed. Pornographic cinemas and blush-inducing sex shops are a familiar part of the urban landscape, while exposed breasts are a common sight on advertising billboards and magazine covers.
With all that stimulating material around, it's not surprising that young Germans apparently have sex on the brain. A newly-released World Health Organization (WHO) report on sexual habits among teenagers in 26 European countries reveals that German teens are quick off the mark when it comes to losing their cherry; the average age at which Germans -- both boys and girls -- first have sex is 16.2.
...
(Excerpt) Read more at spiegel.de ...
Redbob,
Not trying to incite your ire here, but there are severe differences between what a homosexual does and what an "Arab terrorist," "child molester," and a "burglar" do.
Generally, unless the homosexual is a rapist, what he does is with a consenting adult, a child does not consent to being molested, a homeowner does not consent to being robbed and the victims of a terrorist do not consent to be being, well, terrorized. While I am largely indifferent to what homosexuals do in the privacy of their own homes with other consenting adults, I am not oblivious to what burglars, terrorists or child molesters do because their actions involve a nonconsensual victim.
Best regards,
P.M.
This is probably the best description of these oaths that I have read during this entire discussion. Unlike most of the people in this discussion who were defending these oaths with arguments about political or social systems (as if they were under attack), you simply explained the purpose of these oaths. Bravo!
Is being married and a father of 3 (born within the marriage) enough to define a European as "conservative"?
I don't mean that as sarcastically as it probably sounds. I'm genuinely curious as to what qualifies one as "conservative" in Germany.
Not that I disagree entirely with your post, but it should be pointed out that compared to Europe, teen pregnacy rates in the U.S. are really high. Our teen pregnancy rates are more than twice as high as most European countries, more than four times as high as the rates in Germany, Holland, Sweden, and Denmark.
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/being-human/teenagers/mg18524891.300-teenagers-special-going-all-the-way.html
Having lived in Germany for 13 years...I offer this analysis.
Yes, there are pregnant teens out there...even as young as 13. The numbers...maybe 10 percent of what you see in the US. So they are heavily doing birth control without a doubt.
No, teenage marriage at 17 or 18...doesn't occur that much. It is probably 20 percent of what the number in the US is. German teens are realistic...they can't get a job that pays for an apartment even as a couple at 18...so if they were to marry...they'd have to live in their parent's house...and they REALLY don't want to do that.
Yes, there are just as many relationship issues as you find in the US...from guys cheating on their girlfriend...to girls dumping guys.
How do the Germans have control over the situation? No driver's licenses until 18. Yep...that fixes the issue of teens running around amok. You are stuck in your village or town...and there isn't any place for you to get into lot of trouble unless the parents aren't home. Most teens will hang out at the local bus stop or park....do their social thing...and by 11PM...go home.
Yeah, AB! 'Splain what you mean by that! ;^)
I wouldn't make such a generalization about Europeans vs Americans, since we are far more similiar --- for good or ill --- than we are different.
In all of our nations, two philosophies of sex exist side by side.
On the one hand, the view that sex is predomiantly a matter of durable and creative connection: finding a mate worthy of your sincere self-donation; creative significant alliance between masculine and feminine gifts and genius; growing a family; building lasting bonds of intimacy and trust; linking the genders and the generations; commitment to something enormously meaningful: the Beloved Community "on earth as it is in heaven."
On the other hand, the view that sex is predominantly a matter of individual self-satisfaction: unlinked to family, uncoupled as to gender, insignificant as to heart and spirit, inconsequential in the wider horizon of human projects; unconnected to in-depth commitments (other than --- like disinfectant soaps--- a commitment to antispetic transactions.)
The first has wide scope for both satisfaction and sacrifice; it's worthy of the best of adult investment in terms of love, energy and intelligence.
The second is feeble in generative power and restless in appetite: it comes down to itch, twitch and extinction.
Good stuff. Your sentiments are shared. Don't let the nuts who hae no idea of what they are talking about get to you.
"Not that I disagree entirely with your post, but it should be pointed out that compared to Europe, teen pregnacy rates in the U.S. are really high."
Didn't mean to imply otherwise. The "you Americans are so provincial" attitude rubs me the wrong way.
Which is a valid point. We can't point out the speck in Europe's eyes and ignore that we have some rather large beams in our own.
Or, alternatively, that sex and/or the human body are not seen as sacred or signficant in Germany.
Once. I read about that happening once. And there was a vast outcry from people of every political persuasion and every walk of life that said this was an absolutely wrong response to the 4-year-old's behavior.
I'm going from the point of view of having lived there for 15 years. I'll take my interpretation. As far as "sacred" goes, depends on what you mean. Christian relics are considered sacred, yet they're displayed all the time.
Whoa. I'm not sure I caught your meaning. Are you saying you can desensitize your little girl to rape by getting her used to being used as a sexual spittoon?
To tell you the truth, there isn't a whole lot of difference between what Americans and Europeans DO in regards to sex. Kids in Europe are promiscuous. Kids HERE are promiscuous. If you're some randy single guy, you're just as likely to get a French woman into bed as you are an American woman.
I think the difference is that the chaste here will say sex out of wedlock is wrong, but the chaste in Europe say it's OK, but won't do it.
OK, I lied above: I do know what drives Europeans nuts. It's the religious aspect of our view of sex. Any mention of religion sends Europeans/liberals into fits.
I completely understand your point of view about chastity rings, pledges, and such. I think they're very tacky.
All of that said, I am a very proud American who is pro-Europe.
Nicely put.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.