Readers of the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper have had quite a few things to say about the two-week series “Too Sexy Too Soon.”
After all, it’s not everyday that you see a front-page article with racy photos of scantily clad young adults and flirtatious teens — followed by a listing of taboo sexual terms that would make even a pimp blush.
The response to the series, which discussed challenges facing sexually active teens, is mixed.
“It was a really good idea to discuss this topic because we need to raise awareness about all the different diseases that our kids are dealing with,” said Anthony Wellington.
When first asked to share his thoughts about the series Wellington laughed, but then quickly grasped the seriousness of the issue. Speaking in a tone that reflected a sense of resignation, he remarked that many teens still end up having sex before marriage regardless of warnings from adults.
“Of course abstinence is the ultimate way to go, but those who don’t have self control need to be told to at least use protection, and I’m glad the series talked about that,” said Wellington, sipping a drink in the hot July sun. “All you can do is pray for them.”
Wellington, who raised a son who is now in his 20s, said he appreciates how the series encouraged parents to have open discussions about sex with their children.
“I’m glad it gave advice to parents because it is really up to parents to talk about sex with their children, instead of letting other kids and television shape their thoughts,” he stated.
“Too Sexy Too Soon,” which was published in the July 18 and July 25 issues, shared information from reports indicating higher rates of STDs and pregnancy among teens, gave a rare insiders view into the lives of sexually active teens and offered solutions to parents on how they can help children avoid the consequences of reckless sexual activity.
“If we focus on our youth and talk about this issue more I think it will help them,” said Miaeasha Young, a young adult in her 20s. “As a community we need to be more open about what’s going on with teenagers and now that this has been done other news people might talk about it.”
Photos from the series caught the attention of Mary Johnson while she was speaking with friends at a local drug store. After an awkward laugh she said the series is a necessary study on the lives of local teens dealing with national trends.
“This is really gonna’ get the attention of teens, and they are the ones who need this information,” said Johnson, brushing black hair from her smiling sand colored face.
Referring to the photos she added, “Anyone who goes around like that and attracting fast people should be ashamed.”
Not all comments from parents and other adults were positive. A man identifying himself only as “George” called the Recorder newsroom to complain about the series.
“We have enough of that kind of thing on TV, our folks don’t need to be reading about it or seeing it in an educational paper,” he said. “The photos alone amount to soft porn and the articles could actually encourage our kids to explore this sex ‘thing.’ As adults we shouldn’t be giving them any ideas.”
Managers at a few area hotels refused to display copies of the series during the week of Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration, when many out of town visitors arrived.
“Due to the fact that we have many families come in our facility we did not feel comfortable displaying (that) edition,” said Rebecca Riegle, assistant manager at Fairfield Inn’s location at Indianapolis International Airport. “We thought many of the photos and some of the verbiage was inappropriate for our guests.”
Management at the Marriott Hotel near 21st and Shadeland also refrained from placing the “Too Sexy Too Soon” editions in their lobby.
“We couldn’t put them out there because we have too many teenagers and kids in this hotel,” said night manager Penni Sharp. “What was most disturbing was the big bold print that talked about anal and oral sex. The whole package really catches the eye.”
Riegle and Sharp both stated that while they understand the intentions behind the series were good, they just wish it hadn’t been placed on the front page for kids to easily see.
Although the editions were not displayed they were given to patrons who asked for them at both hotels.
Perhaps the most illuminating comments came from teen readers themselves.
“I see it (the series) as a really positive thing,” said Mack Proctor, 15.
Proctor spoke shortly after walking out of an Eastside phone store, shirtless like the young man in a photo at the beginning of the series. Putting his shirt back on modestly, Proctor praised “Too Sexy Too Soon” for not skirting around topics such as oral sex and other dangerous sexual activities among youth.
“It was really telling the truth about what’s going on with people my age,” said Proctor. “I like how they (the Recorder) just came out with it and were very real and open about the situation.”
Taking a break from his shift at a local department store, Devin Walker, 18, applauded the series but said he wished it had emphasized the importance of discipline. Too many teens and children are bolder, he remarked, with misbehavior and reckless sexual activity because they no longer fear corporal punishment from parents.
“I was beat as a child when I did something wrong, and I didn’t do it again,” said Walker, as he typed text messages on his cell phone. “The problem with kids now is they don’t get beat, and they get away with too much stuff.”
A woman sitting next to Walker, whom he jokingly refers to as “my wife” nodded in agreement, saying she still gives her 16-year-old daughter “a whipping.”
Vivian Martin, 17, took a very pragmatic view of the content in the series, saying it was needed because many of her peers are having sex to satisfy curiosity or out of a false belief that “everyone” is doing it.
“Too many girls are getting too close to the wrong dude, and they end up regretting it,”
Martin said, picking up her baby nephew out of a shopping cart. “They talk about issues like that a lot at school, so why not bring it up in the newspaper?”
To view the “Too Sexy Too Soon” series online log on to www.indianapolisrecorder.com or call (317) 924-5143 to purchase copies.
