'The television shows offered today introduce the subject and the display of sex as casually as bying a new pair of shows at the mall.'
---Monica Sante

	'Teach abstinence. There's no way to teach a guy to hold on and put on a condom.' Victor Berrios, 17
	'Abstinence makes sense, but if you're going to have sex, use a condom.' Edward Aikens, 21
	'Telling teens to abstain makes sex sound wrong, but it's really not.' David Jamison, 15
	'People should abstain before marriage because condoms won't always protect you.' Paula Eckardt, 24
	'Abstinence is a moral issue and changing young Americans' morals is impossible.' Jillian Nichols, 19

By NIN-HAI TSENG
Miami Southwest High School

A pack of partying college students at a night club participate in a"sex out" to raise awareness about abstinence and AIDS.

During the marathon, a voluptuous blonde tries to seduce her boyfriend to break his 24-hour vow of celibacy. The boyfriend is hypnotized by her flirtatious voice and sly moves as he struggles to resist her passes.

This scene from the popular TV show "Beverly Hills 90210" demonstrates how television can have a positive and negative influence on teenagers today. While it may demonstrate promiscuity, the show could also increase awareness about safe sex.

"I do not believe television will influence my children in any extreme degree," says Ofer.

Zosman, a 44-year-old from Miami. "I allow my five daughters to watch almost anything they please. However, parents should also discuss certain issues shown on television programs or movies and to distinguish fiction and non-fiction."

The average child watches an estimated 28 hours of television a week, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation and Children Now. More than 1 million children under age 11 watch shows such as Beverly Hills 90210, Roseanne or Friends. The displays of sexual interaction during programs have increased 270 percent since 1976.

"The television shows offered today introduce the subject and the display of sex as casually as buying a new pair of shoes at the mall," says Monica Sarte, an 18-year-old student at Miami-Dade Community College. "I have given up watching television and I feel programs do not give off a positive influence, with the exception of educational programs such as The Learning Channel."

Some programs, however, have followed a trend: focusing on themes that could educate teenagers about issues such as homosexuality, sexual assault and sexually transmitted diseases.

In one episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, a teenage girl struggles with the decision of whether to give up her virginity. Her brother worries about her getting pregnant or contracting HIV.

"The clip educates teens and even children on the consequences and responsibilities when making the decision to have or not to have sex," says Lisa Cagua, a 17-year-old senior at Coral Park Senior High. "This is a positive example for teens that can guide them when they are forced to make difficult decisions."

But some parents are still skeptical about the showing of sexual conduct. The V-Chip is an invention with which parents will be able to use a secret number to block access to graphic and provocative programming. It will be available for less than $5.

"It is difficult for me to keep up with what my kids watch on television," says Rosa Russell, a 47-year- old mother of four from Miami. "The V-Chip can protect my children from the sexual and violent showings when I am not able to be there."

What a child or a teenager absorbs from a program has to do with their attitudes, says Modesto Abety, director of the Dade County Children's Services Council.

"Their openness on the issue of sex and their degree of promiscuity should be taken into consideration," says Abety.

Miami Herald television critic Terry Jackson says he believes society is reflected on television today, while programs that aired during the '50s, '60s and '70s displayed an unrealistic society.

"When Lucy was pregnant on the "I Love Lucy" show, it was forbidden to mention the word 'pregnant' during taping," says Jackson.

With the transitions in society, a change in the themes of television programs also take part. Jackson says he does not condemn television because it models reality and there are only subtle impacts, such as the influence on dress and style of talk.

"If all of a sudden we stop airing shows that have to do with premarital sex, it will not stop it from happening," says Jackson.

Teens express new views
on being safe and sexually active

By SCOTT CLARKE
Miami Palmetto High School

Baylor University sophomore Amy Cassel and her boyfriend have been going together for more than three years and have decided to wait until they are married to have sex.

Cassel is a part of "True Love Waits," a church-based program designed to give teens a reason to say no to having sex until they are married. It tells teens they are someone worth waiting for and cautions them about the dangers of AIDS and teen pregnancy.

"If you're going to spend your life with someone, then you should keep that intimate part of yourself for just them. It's important that you don't lose that part of yourself. By waiting, you and your spouse will have a stronger relationship," Cassel said.

Recent studies by the CDC in its semi-annual HIV/AIDS surveillance report have found one out of every 40 Dade County residents is HIV positive. The CDC has also found that by the time the average senior in high school goes to his or her 10-year reunion, one in 10 will have died from HIV or contracted AIDS. With the numbers rising, many experts are saying "no sex" may be a more viable precaution than the "safe sex" being urged today.

Miami-Edison High School has a program called "I'm Worth Waiting For." School nurse Denise Green started the program in hopes of teaching students self-esteem and that sex is something they need not feel rushed into. Part of the 12-week course is teaching students how to say no to having sex until they are sure they are ready. Although many teens are skeptical, the class waiting list is 40 students long. And 34 members of the football team have taken the class and have designed T-shirts they frequently wear.

The Dade County public schools teach a Human Growth and Development curriculum, for example, that states, "abstinence is the only acceptable behavior for unmarried... youth, and...the only certain way to prevent pregnancy and venereal disease."

Many of these programs in schools and churches are student-initiated.

Although programs geared toward abstinence are in effect, experts still have little evidence that such programs work in the long run.

"Young people are having sex and should be taught that in today's society there are dangers to becoming sexually involved. They need to know how to protect themselves. Simply telling them not to do it is unrealistic," said Dr. Lilianne Sobrado, an obstetrician.

Dade School Board member Betsy Kaplan said there is nothing objectionable about teaching abstinence, but that it would be difficult to convince people to abstain. She also feels the message to use condoms and other contraceptives has not been getting across.

"I have to wonder how much we can alter people's minds. We have programs in place, but they are apparently having little influence. People are just not changing their behavior," Kaplan said.

According to Meredith Lane, educational specialist at the Dade schools' Department of Comprehensive Health Programs, if teens are educated properly on how to use contraceptives, disease rates will decline.

"Condoms don't fail, people do. What's important is that people know the risks of having sex. I'd like to say abstinence is the only way, but kids are going to have sex and we need to teach them how to protect themselves," Lane said.

The reaction of teens to the message is mixed. While many teens feel abstinence is the only true protection, they also believe that teaching contraceptive use is more practical. Adele Nahmad, a 19-year-old Miami resident agrees.

"No kid will not have sex. So we might as well teach them to be safe," Nahmad said.