Despite attempts to re-imagine the past as a morally superior time, much of the human race was built on the backs of teenagers, and their biologically compulsive behavior.
So each year when the Thai government serves up fresh admonitions, threats or pleas for young people to refrain from coital shenanigans on Valentine’s Day, the word “Quixotic” comes to mind.
A few years back, police vowed to sweep all the love motels, parks and parking lots to stop kids from doing it after a survey showed 1-in-4 teens planned to celebrate the day with sex, and 1-in-3 girls considered it a good day to lose their virginity.
This year, a public health doctor recommends teenagers spend Friday night in prayer at a local temple.
The goal is admirable enough. Dr. Ponthep Siriwanarangsan wants to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies which have spiked in recent years. And an alarming number of teens – more than half – aren’t practicing safe sex.
Ponthep urged teens to celebrate Friday – also an important Buddhist holiday – in the spiritual rather than sexual tradition by going to the temple in the morning and evening, Khaosod reported.
Related:
Babies having babies: Thailand ranks second in ASEAN teen pregnancy
Thai teen pregnancy on the rise as sex education misses the young
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