Sex and the Television-Minded Teen

Regarding “The Young & the Randy” (Calendar, Sept. 18), I agree with Vanessa Poster, a senior program associate of the Studio City-based Center for Population Options, that “it’s going to happen, and shows that handle the issue responsibly, emphasizing how to protect yourself from pregnancy and disease, deserve praise, not criticism.”

Teens can learn from these programs dealing with sex by seeing it first--and how things turn out-- before they have problems of their own. The negative aspect of these programs occurs on the ones that leave viewers to think that since everyone is having sex, maybe they should too. For example, in the cited episode of “True Colors,” Terry Freeman was ridiculed by his family for being a virgin. Now, how’s that for a little pressure, being ridiculed by your own family for something that is immoral?

It is better to talk openly about this serious subject, sex, than to just leave your kids wondering and for them to do something they will regret.

KIM KUHN, 16

Chatsworth