I wish that actually applied to today's society.

Some could argue 17 is still too young. And they wouldn't be wrong, in my opinion.

#32 I got married at 17 so obviously everyone matures differently. But still I kinda agree with you

Your parents are still alive? Sorry, not trying to be rude. But from your profile it said you're 79... Just clarifying. I think you're a little past the age of getting a girl. Shoot for grown women.

Grown women are just no fun!

Bull shit, cougars have the experience

I resent that. I'm from Mississippi and although I am proud to be a Christian, I don't think of my self as a holy-roller nor do I know any one who is. lol

Why are people so down on the religious? If it's not your thing, then fine, but don't be an ass about your atheism or agnosticism.

I dont talk about being an athiest unless someone trys to push their religion on me, then I turn into that ass hole who goes on a rant about how god doesnt exist, I only do it cause its funny to watch holy rollers squirm

way to generalise there. i know plenty of couples that were together in year 8 at school (aged 12) and are still together now (aged 21/22). also, i met my fiance when i was 19 and am getting married next year. my point is, '95%' is a massive exaggeration; whilst some teenagers do seem keen to grow up too fast, i believe a lot are more mature than we give them credit for. also, where does it say in the FML that they're teenagers?

Actually I'm pretty sure 95% is probably pretty accurate. Think of the tons of silly 'means nothing' high school relationships. There are people who date like 10 people before they graduate high school so your one currently successful relationship does very little to dent that average. Also, being in a relationship until you're 21 doesn't mean it's life long. A lot of growing up will still be happening in the next few years.

No, don't worry. We're just in the slutty ages.

Yep. People pledging to stay abstinent, and then going at it like rabbits but without contraceptives? Sounds like the Medieval period. Of course, in the Medieval period they had the excuse of not having today's reliable modern contraceptives... just bits of pigs bladder washed in milk that go over the dick.

I just don't get why one would even consider abstinence as a form of contraception.

...because it's 100% effective on preventing pregnancy? Just throwing that out there...

Remind me, which country promotes abstinence and sexual taboos and still has a rather high rate of teen pregnancies?

America?

SuperDaniel, do you really think you're better than people in the "dark-ages" who would persecute those who were promiscuous? Because the way I see it, you're not, not by much anyway. If you enjoy sex, then good for you, but others feel that sex can be unhealthy in the early stages of a committed relationship, and I think they're right in certain circumstances. I'm monogamous myself, but if my boyfriend had wanted to be abstinant I would have respected that because I love him. But if you expect those who choose abstinance to respect you and your decision to have sex, then those who choose abstinance should be able to expect the same from you. Oh, and BTW, it's very difficult to compare teen pregnancy in cultures that promote abstinance with those that don't, because cultures that encourage abstinance usually also discourage abortion, unlike those cultures that encourage sexual exploration.

@ 106, though I like your first point, that one should respect people who remain abstinent. Sure why not, but in this case the mom buys the rings, not the teens themselves. About teen pregancy rates, your point is rather weak, I think one could compare these rates for any developed western country. One could take religion into account and compare pregancy rates from america with dominantly christian european countries like Spain, Portugal and Polan who are all Catholic by nature.

If they are indeed teenagers, I don't see anything wrong with this boy's mother encouraging her son and his girlfriend to remain abstinent. He is, after all, her child. If it were a father who expected his daughter's boyfriend not to have sex with his daughter, there are likely few people who would find that odd. I don't think it should be different just because it's a mother and son rather than a father and daughter. I agree, though, that the gifting of purity rings is a bit unusual, and seems overbearing, and that it should usually be the couple's choice, however just because they have the rings doesn't necessarily mean they have to wear them. Now as for the other matter, I think you draw too strong a positive correlation between the value of abstinence and teen pregnancy. In America, for example, there are other variables, such as the popularity of shows like "Teen Mom," and the increasing acceptability of child birth outside of wedlock.

Back here in Europe they do run Teen Mom, personally I find that that show shows how having kids at 16/17 messes up your life. I think back here we are a lot more open to sexuality, personally I know of no one who wants to stay "pure" untill married. In my school of 1300 kids, ages 12-18 I know of only 1 teen mom.