Maintaining one's innocence isn't completely bad in my eyes. In my case, it adds mystery and often makes for a great talking point. On the converse side of things though, I sometimes trick myself into believing I'm not good enough for someone as a result of the lack of experience I possess and not just in a sexual realm. I couldn't be far more from the truth.
Once your innocence it's lost, it is pretty much gone forever. At least that's what us young ladies are told when it comes to being intimate. From youth, it is pretty much forced upon us to wait until marriage because as a child of God that's what we're supposed to do. Sex is the gift that God gives to married couples and the bond that is shared between the two while making love cannot be achieved in any other setting.
Nowdays, sex is viewed as a sport. Boys aren't encouraged to preserve their innocence as they are immune to the double standard where too many sexual partners equates to a promiscuous individual. Instead, they are praised for their sexual liaisons. The girls are the ones who are plagued with that stigma and are subject to punishment or even death is some countries.
I work with at risk teens in a rough area of Chicago's south side. As a young woman who grew up 45 minutes away in the suburbs, you can imagine how much of an adjustment this was for me. One of my roles as a youth coordinator at this center is to be a mentor to the young women, aged 13-17. Weekly, I have the option of meeting with them in a group setting where we can talk about whatever. Basically, give them an opportunity to discuss things they can't otherwise with adults.
On the surface, it seems simple. Now that I'm in it and I know the type of girls I'm dealing with, not so much. For starters, I have to gain the respect of these young ladies, most of which are mothers already. I'm 23 with no children in sight. Hell, not even on the horizon. Then I have to get them comfortable enough with me where they would want to discuss any aspect of their lives with me.
I have never been in this position before. Yes, it's uncomfortable and scary. I'm only a few years older than them and Lord knows they probably know more about sex than I do. Hell, I still haven't had the prerequisite talk about the birds and the bees.
As much as I want to stress to them that it's ok not to grow up too fast, I can't. I want them to know that waiting is actually respected. I want them to explore areas outside their neighborhood. Most of them have yet to leave the city. They are from a completely different world than I am and I have to meet them at their level and try to relate.
Despite my being afraid, I know that this is God's way of bringing out the leader in me. I would love to be looked at as a mentor to all of the girls I work with but if all I reach is one, that's fine too. I know that I won't get that notoriety though being afraid or feeling inadequate. I have to face the fear then fight it.
First and foremost I would like to applaud you for waiting and maintaining as much innocence as you can. In this society they tell/shows us that having sex is ok and that you will be fine. Society glamourizes (not sure if that is a word) sex, they forget to emphasize is that all it takes is one time to get pregnant, and one time to catch an std. Even without that you now have to take yearly visits to the gynecologist. You now have more responsibility since iii made the decision to have sex.They also don't tell you the attachment and bond you form with EVERY person you lay down with. They really take a piece of you. Trust me, I know from experience. All this was done in my late teens and early twenties. Fast forward to now, because I am a God fearing woman, always haver been, I'm just now beginning to ber on the right path in my walk with God. my past slapped me in the face.Being married to the man I was created for it's a harsh reality that I didn't wait for him. I had to ask God to restore me, to make me whole again. Sex is beautiful in thee correct setting, between husband and wife.We both have different testimonies, but we're both fighting for the same cause I believe. My dream is that young girls realize that there is more to life than just being a mother. (Motherhood is amazing) do as much as you can, see as much as you can, get comfortable in your own skin, go through your trials, so you can eventually share with your children.WE make a difference Being an adult is something you look forward, but something you don't have to rush into,no matter if you run the race or jog we all make to adulthood. I just felt like I should share.l would love to come in and talk with your girls if they wouldn't mind. Very well written.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the read as well as your insight on the topic. I would love for you to come in and speak with them. Email me your info (erika.coldman@yahoo.com).
ReplyDeleteMy mother did a great job into scaring me out of indulging too early. "Don't bring any babies in this house because you will be on your own." I got to thinking, "hell, I still need you so there's no way I can provide for a baby!" Plus, I was always involved in sports. No time to get fresh if I wanted to lol. Getting pregnant now at 23 is still scary to me and enough to keep me at bay.
I'm far too emotional to share myself with random guys like that and it amazes me how many people can or even force themselves to become numb to the obvious.
I want to be happy for the expecting mothers that I work with but I can't because all I can think about is 'how will you do it?' They're so young mentally that it is scary.