Only four

"Children aged 11 sexually active" screamed the front page of today's Royal Gazette.

The statistics aren't quite as sensational:

A total of 83 11-year-old girls were asked whether they were sexually active, with three percent answering yes. Three percent of the 29 boys of that age who responded also confirmed they were having sex.

In other words, one eleven-year-old boy and three girls are having sex. Assuming their responses weren't just braggadocio.

While I agree that it would be better if it was zero, this is hardly a national crisis.

Comments

[Adjustah on 15.02.06 at 19:21]

...hmmm, this is the Gazette, though...they have to sensationalize things to sell papers...I mean, it's not like they're the only game in town...like, if they were the only local, daily paper then...oh, er...uh...

[Full Fullish on 15.02.06 at 19:58]

Sorry guys, I completely disagree with you here.

This number SHOULD be zero point blank and period. Think back when you were 11 and what was on your mind? Sure, I was a little Casanova at 11, I fancied many girls, but I had no idea how to really express that fancy, ESPECIALLY sex!

This is a COMPLETE breakdown of responsible parenting, and yes I fully blame the parents for this. Also remember those statistics are based on only 89 girls who responded and 24 boys (I believe). Now if you say there are probably 1,000 11 year olds on the Island, suddenly the number turns into 4000. I trust this isn't the case and that it only is 4, but for one second think if it was your 11 year old. Now think if your 11 year old contracted something from this. Now think if your 11 year old girl got pregnant from this (some girls reach sexual maturity by this age, I believe the earliest know pregnancy is 8 years of age). Man just crazy, my mind (at least) boggles......

[ken on 15.02.06 at 20:15]

While 11 year olds having sex is CRAZY, i agree that 4 kids out of the pool surveyed is hardly a national crisis.
What is more ridiculous is the sensationalistic nature of the Royal Gazette...because any 11 year olds that aren't having sex might just decide to think about it a little harder, and take things a little further than they might not have.
This is why many have little respect for the Gazette and its lack of integrity. As it sensationalized this topic, it also sensationalizes others!

[Yet Another Limey on 15.02.06 at 20:46]

I think it's sadly more likely that these 4 were owning up to being abused.

[SmokingGun on 15.02.06 at 21:19]

YAL - unfortunately you may very well be right.

[Silencio on 15.02.06 at 21:30]

Hats off to Royal Gazette for printing this, as bringing this to the attention of responsible adults might help us prevent it from becomming a national crisis. I'd hate to think that we'd only make an issue of something after it becomes a major problem - oh wait, this is Bermuda, isn't it?

[Edward Rance on 15.02.06 at 21:46]

I question the mathematical accuracy of this survey; three percent of both the sample sizes is a non-integer. In fact, in both instances the numbers have been rounded up - this is somewhat irresponsible as it verges on sensationalism.

I would also argue Phil raises a valid point about "braggadocio". Given the extremely small numbers, it is entirely conceivable that several students lied. This is however, equally distressing. It suggests a culture is in place that awards status to promiscuity. Any student who has been through schooling in Bermuda (or indeed any number of countries) will acknowledge the existence of such a culture. Perhaps, while we should address increasing sexual acitivty, we should also examine the enabling factors i.e. an ethos in schools that encourages intercourse.

[Alex on 15.02.06 at 22:03]

its the birds and the bees, really. up until a certain age, most parents will explain conception under a multitude of anaologies - either because they don't WANT to explain sex to their child, or do not think them of an age to need to know. ignorance is bliss, is it not?

but where's the dividing line? when does a child NEED to know?

is it from the very first time they hear about sex? in the paper? on the news? during a soap? a biology lesson, perhaps? or is it when you become aware that they know a little more about the act than they let on.

lets say they have an idea, and no longer accept the stork theory. whats a reasonable amount of information to provide them with? sex = babies? or do you throw in tidbits about forms of contraception and the various sti's that will make their genitals go black and fall off?

conversely - what if they don't have a clue? what if a parent takes a totally naive child, and drops the sex bomb on them. they didn't know it existed - but alas! now they do. and what a whole new world to explore!

awareness campaigns have been introduced all over england, and though the intentions are good, a LOT of parents simply don't want their children being exposed to a subject of that nature at such a yound (and impressionable) age.

to blame the parents for the childs actions is TOTALLY out of whack. its not through parental neglect or ignorance that these children have sex - its because of society as a whole.

nb: i had a point in there. i promise you. *nod*

[david on 15.02.06 at 22:18]

It would be interesting to know how old the parents were when they had sex. Teenage pregnencies run in families. My wife works on rundown estates and sees this pattern all the time. Its also too easy to say poor parenting. How can you say that if the parents themselves led a similar life? They are only teaching the way they themselves were brought up. You can't expect anything else from them. Society needs to take some responsibility and support these families to help them get out of this circle they find themselves in. The poor stary poorer in the US, is bermuda the same?

[Phil on 15.02.06 at 22:41]

Ed

I question the mathematical accuracy of this survey; three percent of both the sample sizes is a non-integer. In fact, in both instances the numbers have been rounded up - this is somewhat irresponsible as it verges on sensationalism.

I noticed this too for the figure for the girls - 3 out of 83 is 3.6% and 2 out of 83 is 2.4%. I assumed they were must have been rounding down.

The figure for the boys does work out to 3% though.

[Ethiops on 16.02.06 at 00:44]

Tricky thing with questions like these is you could very well provoke curiosity in the child and have it thinking it’s missing out on something. Be that as it will the questions must be asked.

I’d think the figures were wrong though not all would speak up so easily. I never did neither did my friends. I even protected some until I found myself on psychotherapist couch. Secrecy runs deep as the hills. I can think back to when I was eleven in Elliot primary and just how sexually active we were. There were at least 10 kids in the Hermitage Rd area that acted out sexually, often with each other and often with grownups.

I’d be quick to agree that this is probably far from the norm but, it was unfortunately so normal for me.

[Dejon Simmons aka Flow on 16.02.06 at 08:00]

I truly beliee that at that age sex should ot be anywher close to what theyy should be thinking. but from my troubled experiences of my youth(the stolen bike which nearly killed me and left me no face,grades, just usual teen stuff) I had lost my virginity at 12.No i am not proud of it because i wish i would hae thought it out but it is on these kids minds. i would tell you the most influecing thing is the media.. Thats all. Basically sex sells and if ya child is up watching BET, MTV, no matter what it is you would see some sensual activity. I mean look at the movies they produce now days.Have u seen at least one movie without a love scene or anything really. The ratings have been lowered and sometimes i wonder what is happening? I mean the lyrics now in songs are ridiculas! There are hardly any real songs out like have you heard that song "Laffy Taffy" Yeah its a catchy tune but the lyrics mea nothing. Even though i am only 17 i listen to a lot of old music which lets out my poetic skills of speaking the truth.. So basically what I am saying is Watch what ya child watches

[Shark on 16.02.06 at 08:22]

Its true that society and media is highlty sexual as it sells. The same gose with violence. These two area sell the best.

If a child finds out about sex it is up to the parent to tell them straight why they should wait untill they are mature enoufe to have sex (though the age were a child is mature is under debate as a child aged 12 could be as mature as an adult of 30).

[Bill Cook on 16.02.06 at 09:14]

Sex is an inherent part of life, the second most driving force next to survival probably though both are obviously linked.

Natural curiosity and experimentation are common place with children.

The dangers come with the possibility of pregnancy and the societal problems that follow.

With the overcrowding of homes in Bermuda due to the housing crisis it means children of both sexes are sleeping in the same room and often in the same beds.

It is not hard to see the problems this can cause.

We have an epedemic of teenage pregnancies where girls under the age of 16 are giving birth, that is serious.

It means that often girls as young as 14 are having sex with much older men which is statutory rape, a criminal offence that is never or almost never brought to court.

This should be the focus of our attention.

[Raptor on 16.02.06 at 09:23]

It's already clear that girls are giving birth every year and that kids in general are having sex much too young. I'm glad to see such a significant problem being addressed rather than just accepted. And it's true there may be a host of family/other problems behind these young unwed mothers and boys. I hope social services addresses those. But I think the RG is sensationalizing the 11-year-old bit.

I'd like to know more about the survey. Why are they assuming such a high degree of accuracy in responses after handing out something that I'm assuming was on paper and may have been filled out and returned anonymously? Was that the case? I don't know. I do know a lot of kids might have had fun filling it in as though they were at the forefront of such an adventurous experience.

Dejon makes a very good point about the kind of stimulation young kids are exposed to in media. We now know that youths' brains take far longer to fully develop than previously thought (into their early 20s). And this is what they're being fed--sex, violence, do what you want, etc. Not helpful.

[Fly Girl on 16.02.06 at 09:23]

I have a 12 year old daughter and I totally agree that it is up to the parent(s) to keep on top of their children in all issues of life. It's hard, but us as parents need to do it. I do not allow BET, MTV or the like to be watched in my house, and it is rare that my daughter is left at home by herself. We need to entertain them in other ways, and get them away from the TV, movies, videogames, etc. At 12, I was not even thinking of boys yet. We were still playing cops and robbers, cowboys and indians and stuff like that (obviously I'm from the old school).

[SmokingGun on 16.02.06 at 12:09]

I would have to agree with the media influence. It's very influential indeed. Both in the way of sex and violence. The more it get's drumbed into kids heads the more comfortable they become with it. There is a certain immunity that is built up. Heck they even stick hidden sex scenes in video games.

It must be extremely difficult to instill parental controls when there is just so much going on around you. Just as an example this week we had a couple on their honeymoon who got married so a radio station could increase it's listeners. What value does that put on the whole idea of relationships and marriage? The RG followed them around and got their press out. It must be tough for a kid to figure out just what's really important.

By the way Dejon, you are an amazing young man. Your heart is in the right place and the inspiration you give to others is incredible. Myself included. Stay strong.

[Bermuda Breeze on 18.02.06 at 19:45]

You may say only 4 , but also a thing to note is that this is from only 87 respondees. While the numbers surveyed could hardly be considered a scientific poll, if this trend were to continue across all 11 year olds in Bermuda, that % of sexually active children would convert into a much larger number of individuals. Also, the figure plastered across the Royal Gazette is only for 11 year olds, I wonder what the overall total is for minors.
I believe there could be potential for a national crisis.

[Simon on 02.03.06 at 14:01]

Larry Scott should be thoroughly ashamed of his comments in court yesterday. As the father of a 14 year old girl it abhors me to hear someone in authority commenting like this. If there truly is a feeling in Bermuda that the age of consent should be "lower than 13", then I for one think this country really has hit rock bottom.

[SmokingGun on 02.03.06 at 14:14]

Simon - it's incredible that a lawyer who stands up in court and can act in such an insensitive and callous manner doesn't get more than just a reprimand by the judge.

It's ironic to see that the defendant is going to get counseling for his social disorders. I think Larry Scottt should be joining him.

[Simon on 02.03.06 at 14:19]

The more I think of his comments the angrier I get. I know my daughter has to put up with lecherous Bermudian men in their 40s making comments to her every time she walks around town. I had assumed this was limited to a few paedophile scumbags but Scott's comments make me feel this could be more prevelant in our society.

[SmokingGun on 02.03.06 at 14:33]

A scumbag on the street is one thing. But someone standing up in a court of law where he "knows" the law is 16 years old makes the scumbags look good.

Not only is he just so very wrong to come out with the comments he's dumb enough to keep pushing the Judge after he'd been warned numerous times. I'm sure the judge has probably requested he pay a visit to his private chambers to give him a little less diplomatic piece of his mind. Love to be a fly on that wall.....

[Simon on 02.03.06 at 14:42]

In my opinion, he should be disbarred.

[thisgrassman on 02.03.06 at 14:49]

Don't lawyers have some kind of "Code of Conduct" and a regulatory body to which you can make complaints? Surely this deserves some form of sanction.

[Simon on 02.03.06 at 14:51]

http://www.bermudabar.org/

The code of conduct is on this link.

[Simon on 02.03.06 at 14:52]

I would email the Bar and ask them what they plan to do, but as an ex-pat I don't feel comfortable doing that in case there are repurcussions in respect of my work permit.

[Bill Cook on 02.03.06 at 15:24]

Gives credence of my earlier post ref 16/2/06 above.

The real problem may come if Mr Scott becomes a judge with discretionary powers !

Recently a long time US judge said to a paedophile as he gave him probation and said to his ctitics that it would serve no real purpose to put him in prison, truly amazing.

[Simon on 03.03.06 at 09:01]

So Gary Glitter gets jailed and Cambodia crack down on the child sex tourists. Let's hope Larry Scott doesn't get any ideas of entering the tourist industry.

[Two Cents on 06.03.06 at 13:04]

I cannot believe Mr. Larry Scott's comments. Obviously not very well thought out, how can anyone possibly justify remarks like that in this day & age, especially someone with his education.

I hope that one day, he doesn't come home to find some 'man' in bed with his 14 year old daughter, perhaps he won't be so liberal once his suggestion hits closer to home.

[Raptor on 06.03.06 at 13:51]

He should be disbarred for advocating sex with minors.