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Teen sexuality seen from various philosophical perspectives

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Choosing a critical issue from the 21st century and argue the risk of adopting a stance of either ethical relativism or utilitarianism in regard to this chosen issue. Also discuss how will, free will, and uninfluenced will would affect taking a stance on this chosen issue.

The critical issue I have chosen to discuss is sexual freedom and experimentation among teenagers.

"Oh they're just teenagers having a good time." How many generations have said these words over the centuries and have gone on to raise their children unharmed? Of course in the past this phrase may have been used when teens were using firearms, driving their cars too fast or doing other physically dangerous things. Today, teens are no different in many respects than their parents and grandparents were. What is very different is society's moral standards and guidelines within which teenagers are raised. Actually, many teenagers raise themselves today without much or any parental influence at all. Or, there may be negative parental influence in some cases.

The exposure to sexuality through music, movies, the internet and in real relationships is rampant and commonplace in America and the world today. Consider the following facts and figures.

Over 600,000 new cases of STIs are diagnosed each year in the UK, up from 500,000 in 2000, and 420,000 in 1995 (Health Protection Agency).

?'The inevitable consequence of a modern conventional sex life is that 70 to 80 per cent of women will suffer genital infection with HPV, the human wart virus, at some time.' (Dr Thomas Stuttaford, "Close encounters of the worst kind" The Times, 6th February 06).

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Solution Summary

This is a discussion of teen sexuality from different philosphical perspectives. Specifically, the perspectives of ethical relativism and utilitarianism as well as the consequences of adopting their perspectives are discussed. Over 1,400 words of original text along with links to websites containing additional information.

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Choosing a critical issue from the 21st century and argue the risk of adopting a stance of either ethical relativism or utilitarianism in regard to this chosen issue. Also discuss how will, free will, and uninfluenced will would affect taking a stance on this chosen issue.

The critical issue I have chosen to discuss is sexual freedom and experimentation among teenagers.

"Oh they're just teenagers having a good time." How many generations have said these words over the centuries and have gone on to raise their children unharmed? Of course in the past this phrase may have been used when teens were using firearms, driving their cars too fast or doing other physically dangerous things. Today, teens are no different in many respects than their parents and grandparents were. What is very different is society's moral standards and guidelines within which teenagers are raised. Actually, many teenagers raise themselves today without much or any parental influence at all. Or, there may be negative parental influence in some cases.

The exposure to sexuality through music, movies, the internet and in real relationships is rampant and commonplace in America and the world today. Consider the following facts and figures.

Over 600,000 new cases of STIs are diagnosed each year in the UK, up from 500,000 in 2000, and 420,000 in 1995 (Health Protection Agency).

?'The inevitable consequence of a modern conventional sex life is that 70 to 80 per cent of women will suffer genital infection with HPV, the human wart virus, at some time.' (Dr Thomas Stuttaford, "Close encounters of the worst kind" The Times, 6th February 06).

?Two strains of HPV are responsible for 90 per cent of cervical cancer. (Health Protection Agency)
The cervix is not fully mature until a woman is 18 or 19 years old. An immature cervix is more vulnerable to infection. (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Pletcher and Slap Pediatrics in Review.1998 The Gynecological Sourcebook By M. Sara Rosenthal. Chlamydia: The Hidden S.T.D. By Michael Cannell).

?Since the Government Teenage Pregnancy Strategy was introduced in 1999 abortion rates in under 16s have risen by 16% and STIs in the same age group by 64%. Since 2002 abortion rates in under 16s have risen by 18.9% and STIs by 27.9%. ...

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