UK teenage girls ‘worst drunks’

The UK has the highest rate of teenage drunkenness

Young teenagers in the UK are more likely to get drunk than anywhere else in the industrial world, shows an international survey.

Girls in particular have pushed up this level of drunkenness in the UK, says a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Among 15-year-olds, girls are more likely to have been drunk than boys.

But the report also says young people in the UK are materially well-off and enjoy a “high quality of school life”.

The report, Doing Better for Children, compares the well-being of young people living in the leading industrial economies.

Growing up

This wide-ranging international study shows young people in the UK enjoying generous support as they grow up – with above-average state funding, a high quality of school life, below-average child poverty and low levels of bullying.

YOUNG PEOPLE’S WELL-BEING Worst drunkenness: UK Highest rate of bullying: Turkey Most affluent: Norway Best education: Finland Best local environment: Australia Least exercise: Switzerland Best housing: Norway Least risk: Sweden Highest suicide rate: New Zealand Enjoy school most: Turkey Enjoy school least: Czech Republic

But in their personal lives, the UK youngsters are characterised by alcohol abuse and high rates of teenage pregnancy.

Drunkenness in the UK is the highest among 24 OECD countries, measured in terms of the proportion of 13 and 15-year-olds having been drunk at least twice.

The UK’s figure for these under-age drunks – 33% – is more than double the rate for countries such as the United States, France and Italy.

Among girls the gap between the UK and other countries is even wider.

One in five 13-year-olds in the UK reports having been drunk twice – four times higher than countries such as the United States, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Among 15-year-old girls in the UK, 50% reported getting drunk, almost three times higher than their counterparts in France. The rate for boys in the UK in this age group getting drunk is 44%.

Risk-taking

“The difference in the UK is the high level of risk taking,” says report co-author, Dominic Richardson.

As well as young people getting drunk more often there are also unusually high rates of teenage pregnancy, he says.

This is despite a background of increased spending on young people – and relatively strong educational performance.

“It shows that tackling child poverty is not a magic bullet. Children who are from well-off homes can still have problems,” he says.

In terms of abusing alcohol, he says the difference might be the context in which young people first experiment with drink. In France or Italy, youngsters might try drinks in a family environment – where they are less likely to get drunk. In the UK, they might be drinking with other teenagers.

“It’s down to sensible teaching,” he says.

The figures on teenage drinking used by the OECD were gathered in 2005-06. More recent figures from the NHS, published in July, suggest that more 11 to 15-year-olds are not drinking any alcohol – but those who do drink are consuming more.

‘Responsible lives’

While the OECD highlights the problems with drinking and teenage pregnancy, it also presents a positive picture of the support available to people growing up in the UK.

It says that relative to other countries, children here are “materially fairly well-off”.

And that “average family income is higher and child poverty is lower than OECD averages”.

It says that children in the UK also enjoy a high quality of school life and enjoy school much more than many of their international counterparts.

Also bullying is less frequent and teenage suicides are less common in the UK than in most other industrialised countries.

Children’s Minister Dawn Primarolo said it was “disappointing to see the UK rated so low for risky behaviours”.

But she said efforts to encourage more young people to lead “healthy, safe, fulfilled and responsible lives” were beginning to show results.

“Recent statistics have shown encouraging decreases in teenage conceptions during the first half of 2008, that fewer teenagers than ever before are choosing to drink alcohol and we know that drug use among young people is falling.”

The minister also said she was “delighted to see that the record investment in education is paying off with the UK performing substantially better than the OECD average for quality of school life”.

Rape clip found in boy’s phone

KOTA KINABALU:  A teacher conducting a spot check on a student’s cellphone found an explicit video clip of a 13-year-old girl being molested and raped by boys known to her.

Five students have since been arrested following a police report by the girl’s father two days ago after the teacher informed him of the recording.

One of the boys allegedly captured the crime on his handphone which showed a boy raping the girl and the others molesting her, Kota Marudu district police chief Deputy Supt Mohd Isa Yusof said yesterday.

“The clip showed the students kissing, hugging and groping the girl,” he said, adding that the video recording was believed to have been made on May 20 at a secluded kampung house in Sabah’s northern Kota Marudu district.

Those arrested included a Form Four student who is alleged to have raped the girl. The others were his Form Five schoolmates. They are aged between 17 and 19.

“One of the suspects was picked up from school while the rest were in their houses,” he said, adding that investigations were being carried out for rape and molest.

Asked why the girl had not reported the incident immediately, he said based on investigations, the girl and the boys apparently knew each other.

“It was only when the teacher found the video clip on the handphone and told her father that the case was reported to us,” he said, adding that it had been classified as statutory rape.

Source: The Star Online @ 9/7/2009.

Teen couple found sleeping in mosque

A TEENAGE couple were found sleeping together inside a mosque in Kedah, Malaysia, shocking local villagers with their brazen act, Harian Metro reported.

See her hand..

The duo, aged 16 and 17, were discovered by a mosque official who went to Masjid Al-Falah in Kampung Sungai Daun Atas, near Yan, for subuh prayers at about 5am on Sunday.

There was body contact but the two were fully clothed and they were not embracing, said Baharom Taib, 76. He saw the couple when he switched on the lights.

He woke them up before calling the imam. “Their behaviour is an embarrassment to the people here. It has tainted the house of God, more so that they slept in the praying area,” he said.

This, he said, showed how teenagers these days had lost their values and become completely ill-mannered.

The boy, upon questioning, said he had bumped into his female friend earlier that day. They rode on his motorcycle before they felt sleepy and decided to stop by at the mosque to rest.

A police report was lodged at the Guar Chempedak station.

Teen Sex On The Rise

More and more teens are experimenting with sex, and starting earlier too.

NEVER mind that they know little about the birds and the bees, teenage girls in Singapore are still going ahead with the deed – and in larger numbers as well.

The latest police figures show that 310 girls below the age of 16 were caught engaging in underage consensual sex last year – nearly 45% more than the year before.

Put against the number from five years ago – 163 – the jump is even more stark.

Most of the time, their parents or teachers report them to the police; police officers on patrol have also caught them in the act.

How can a young couple differentiate between love and infatuation?

The police say that most of the time, these girls are with men known to them, usually their boyfriends or friends.

In most cases, these boys are also teenagers, though they are sometimes in their 20s or even 30s.

In the eyes of the law, girls aged between 12 and 14 are considered victims of statutory rape. Cases involving girls below the age of 12 are investigated as rape. Offenders can be jailed for up to 20 years, and fined or caned.

Under the Women’s Charter, sex with a girl aged above 14 but below 16 is termed “carnal connection”.

If found guilty, offenders can be jailed for up to five years and fined up to S$10,000 (RM23,800) for this crime.

While females are the majority of victims in underage sex cases here, the law has been amended to protect males as well.

Last October, a 32-year-old former teacher became the first woman here to be charged with having sex with a minor, a 15-year-old boy.

Not only are the rising numbers worrying, youth counsellors say it also appears that teenagers are being initiated into sex earlier.

A jump in the number of statutory rape cases – from nine in 2003 to 63 last year – hints at this. Youth counsellors are also seeing more cases of young teens at “sexual or moral risk”: Of 721 children screened by counsellors after their parents had sought beyond parental control orders last year, nearly a quarter, or 171, were found to have already experienced sex in one form or another.

And these are only the cases that have come to the attention of the authorities, said counsellors.

The rising statistics indicate that teenagers here are less conservative than their predecessors, they added.

In the past, drugs and cigarettes were the stuff of youthful experimentation, but today, it is sex.

As clinical psychologist Carol Balhetchet put it: “Sex is the new cigarette.”

And while girls are typically cast as “victims” under the law, not all of them are as innocent as they seem.

Counsellors have reported an increasing proportion of girls who are sexually aggressive initiators of sex.

Dr Balhetchet said a 15-year-old girl wrote to her about two years ago wanting to know how she could ask her boyfriend to have sex with her because all her friends were already doing it with their boyfriends.

Young people may be unaware of the consequences of unprotected sex – an unwanted pregnancy or disease.

Chong Cheh Hoon, senior vice-president of Focus on the Family Singapore, a group dedicated to the strengthening of families, said popular culture in the form of hit television programmes such as Gossip Girl are also giving young people a template on dating and casual sex.

She said: “Kids today thrive on popular culture and fashion fads, and if something looks cool and gets them the popular vote, they will gravitate to that source in order to get that attention.”

It is this race to be “with it” that “blurs the line between right and wrong”.

A 16-year-old who first had sex when she was 15 said that nearly all her friends were doing it, with most of them having started at 14 or 15, like herself.

She said she views sex as “personal” and only for two people who love each other, but her friends have told her that “once they lose their virginity, sex doesn’t really mean much to them anymore”.

A survey carried out last year by the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) among 500 girls under 16 indicated that a majority of these girls were seeking emotional fulfilment rather than a physical connection; some felt compelled to give in to the demands of their partners to prove their love.

The survey revealed that the two main reasons for having sex were a desire for a closer connection with their boyfriend and being pressured by their boyfriend into giving themselves.

“Girls who want emotional support might feel trapped because they feel sex is the only way they can keep the boy,” said Yusof Ismail, chief executive of the Ain Society, which deals with troubled youth.

Teens may be unaware of the consequences – unwanted babies or disease – or are turning a blind eye to them.

A study on young people’s awareness and usage of contraception commissioned last July by drug company Bayer Schering Pharma found that about three in 10 of the 240 respondents had had sex, but only 54% had used contraceptives.

One in six believed that urinating or exercising after sex would prevent pregnancy.

Noel Tan, who co-founded Sanctuary House, an organisation which helps mothers who cannot or may not want to keep their babies, said: “Most kids – and even adults – have no clue what it takes to have a baby.

“A lot of the time, pregnancies happen because these kids don’t know how to say ‘No’. How do they know the difference between love and infatuation?”

Source:http://thestar.com.my/youth2/story.asp?file=/2009/2/18/youth2/3282327&sec=youth2

FBI, police rescue child prostitutes around US

WASHINGTON – The FBI has rescued 48 suspected teenage prostitutes, some as young as 13 years old, in a nationwide sweep to remove kids from the illegal sex trade and punish their accused pimps.

Over a three-night initiative called Operation Cross Country, federal agents working with local law enforcement also arrested more than 571 suspects on a variety of federal and state prostitution-related charges, the bureau said.

The teenage prostitutes found in the investigation ranged in age from 13 to 17.

“We may not be able to return their innocence but we can remove them from this cycle of abuse and violence,” said FBI Director Robert Mueller.

Meanwhile, in Memphis, Tenn., a man pleaded guilty Monday to federal civil rights charges for sex trafficking in minors. Leonard Fox faces at least 10 years in prison after admitting that he arranged for underaged girls to engage in sex for money.

“To sexually prey upon young girls in this manner for financial gain is particularly damaging to the victims and an affront to the society in which we live,” said Loretta King, acting head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Historically, federal authorities rarely play a role in anti-prostitution crackdowns, but the FBI is becoming more involved as it tries to rescue children caught up in the business.

“The goal is to recover kids. We consider them the child victims of prostitution,” said FBI Deputy Assistant Director Daniel Roberts.

“Unfortunately, the vast majority of these kids are what they term ‘throwaway kids,’ with no family support, no friends. They’re kids that nobody wants, they’re loners. Many are runaways,” Roberts said.

Most of the children are put into the custody of local child protection agencies.

Agents in cities from Miami to Chicago to Anchorage, Alaska took part in the operation.

Special Agent Melissa Morrow of the FBI’s Washington office said the operation has put them on the trail of a particular 16-year-old prostitute they still haven’t found.

Adult prostitutes arrested during the operation provided key tips about the girl, the agent said.

“She is currently 16 and started when she was 13. Now she is out there recruiting other juveniles as well,” said Morrow, adding that finding the girl is “at the top of our list.”

The federal effort is also designed to hit pimps with much tougher prison sentences than they would likely get in state criminal courts.

Government prosecutors look to bring racketeering charges or conspiracy charges that can result in decades of jail time.

“Some of these networks of pimps and their organizations are very sophisticated, they’re interstate,” said Roberts, requiring wiretaps and undercover sting operations to bring charges.

The weekend’s roundup marked the third such Operation Cross Country, and is part of a broader federal program launched in 2003 to crack down on the sexual exploitation of children.

Source: AP

Sex on the first date

Love at first sight or sex on a first date – there isn’t much difference between the two. Often you fall in love with someone at the very first stance only to regret your hasty decision. Sometimes this intense attraction brings with it the temptation to get physically involved.

With a flurry of emotions to deal with post intimacy, the relationship tends to get tricky in the initial stages, as your heart gets into a serious conflict with your head. It’s entirely up to the couple as to whether they want to ride the moment or hold on a little longer till they are absolutely sure of their commitments towards each other.

When we asked Gen X about how comfortable they were to have sex on their first date, they seemed pretty divided on their opinions. While some felt that there was nothing wrong in it, provided both partners were consenting adults, there were others who admitted it to be a fun-for-a-while moment which lacked permanence.

Whether the first date transforms into a long term relationship or not is not the point to be debated upon. It’s about how the modern generation is much more accepting of sex on the first date itself.

“Come on, you’re living in 21st century where people know what’s right and what’s wrong for them. Nothing is a big deal as long as it’s healthy and done with full consent. I don’t see anything immoral in having sex on the first meeting. If you believe that the first impression is the last impression, then be broad-minded enough to have sex with someone you are naturally attracted to,” says 24-year-old Jayant Batra, working with an MNC.

Fully supporting the above argument, Rajat Gupta, 24, working as an executive with a private firm, quips “Most guys believe in living in the present, rather than wasting time thinking about the distant future, so, if a girl asks me for sex on our first date, I’ll oblige willingly.”

However, 26-year-old call employee Kartik Mehra shares, “You can’t always blame men for sex on a first meeting. At times, it’s the girl who insists on it and on getting a negative response from the guy, very often women feel offended. I remember on my first date, my girl asked me if we could go to a private place and on my refusing her, she simply walked off.”

On why couples get tempted for such sexual encounters, Dr. Avdesh Sharma, a clinical psychiatrist, elucidates, “Mainly it’s because of the influence from their peer group which coerces couples into getting physically close. Often, they may feel that sex is the best option to hold onto a person and women in most of the cases think that if I don’t give in, I may lose the man.”

Impulsively living the moment, very often the uber cool generation ignore the mental and physical effects of such quick physical encounters. Dr. Sharma adds, “There are repercussions like sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and AIDS that arise. Other than this, the physiological upshot is tough to deal with, in case the relation doesn’t continue after a few sexual episodes. You feel completely used; the level of guilt is extremely high in case there was alcohol involved, and you develop a hatred for the opposite sex that lasts a lifetime.”

Understanding the aftermaths of such virtually one-night stands, there were a few young minds we spoke to who strictly stood  against the idea of  lovemaking on day one. While they weren’t obsessed with the permanence of the relationship, they were skeptical about sex.

“Demand for sex on the first date makes it clear that you are not interested in a long term relationship. Personally, I believe in forging an emotional bond, before indulging in close moments or sex. Merely one date can’t familiarise you much with a person that you agree to get cosy in bed immediately,” retorts 22-year-old Sakshi Arora, working as a client and media relations executive.

Agrees Rachna Seth, a 23-year-old PR consultant, “The first date is meant to know and get comfortable with each other. Being comfortable doesn’t mean ending up in a physical connection with someone whom you just like or have been infatuated to.”

College goer Mohit Sikka adds, “I would never appreciate a girl who believes in showing off her cool attitude or status through her broad-mindedness in initiating sex on our first meeting. I think it’s unhealthy and morally I wouldn’t want to live with any guilt.”

As Gen X stands at loggerheads with their opinions on sex on the first date, it’s all about being level headed regarding their sexual choices.

Getting too hot and heavy? Here’s are some tips to refrain from sex on the first date.

Avoid too much privacy : Most of the times, it’s the venue for the date and the surrounding atmosphere that lures young couples to have sex. Thus, shun away private places like a hotel room or a friend’s place that allows you to get cosy. Meet at a public place instead and be comfortable.

Keep it short and sweet : Try not to keep a very prolonged date as the person might try to charm you on the first meeting itself. It’s better to give more time to him/her to open up on future occasions.

Be clear about your preferences : Do not treat sex as a casual affair. Be firm on your physical needs and choices. Even if the other person seems casual enough to freely discuss it, do not let such a discussion go overboard.

Avoid any provocative discussion : You should avoid indulging into an intimate conversation related to sex as a subject because if either of you drop a subtle hint or initiate such a topic, the opposite sex may feel you to be an easy catch who doesn’t attach much meaning to a sex escapade. Try and delve into each others’ lives, hobbies, career choices etc.

Don’t dress merely to provoke : Girls often try to make an impression by donning revealing outfits presuming it will attract the male counterpart. Sometimes too much of skin show on the first day itself gives out a wrong vibe. Opt for comfort clothing and remember the man should judge you by your brains.

No chauffer service please : Get away with any hand-holding and teasing moments in the car on your way home. If you’re a lady, try arranging for your own conveyance so that your date doesn’t get a chance to ask you for a drop back home. In case of men, they should not insist incessantly on asking the girl to be dropped back, so as to avoid any possibility of a passionate contact with her.

Know his background : It’s always advisable to know a bit more about the person you’re meeting for the first time. If he’s been a Casanova always, be careful and act as a tough girl, even if you’re not!

No alcoholic moments : Indulging in any kind of alcohol intake is a strict ‘no’ on the first date. It can be really dangerous, as it doesn’t allow you to be in your right senses and unknowingly you may agree upon a sexual act which you might regret later.

Kissing the miss : When it comes to expressing love on the first date, don’t go overboard with any physical gesture, especially a goodnight kiss on the steps while bidding adieu. Make sure that it’s restricted to a polite peck and that too on the cheek as a lip-lock or even a tender touch on her lips can set off something unexpected.

Protection is a must : However, if you do decide to give into your feelings and indulge in sex, ensure you use protection and don’t give opt for unprotected sex. Prevention as we all know is better than cure, so play safe people!