Dealing With Love And Sexuality |
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Deeply interwoven with the emotional tasks of debonding are finding acceptance with peers, dealing with schoolwork, and learning to handle love and sexuality. The force of love is a powerful element beginning in childhood. Attachments are possible at any age. The upsurge of sexuality in teenagers and the feelings that accompany debonding from the family push them to displace family love onto other people such as friends and lovers. This love is authentic and intensive even if it is not permanent. Most teenagers take their love interests very seriously.
There is no such thing as unreal love. Love is the core feeling of life and is enriched first by family bonding and then by relationships outside the family. If your parents have a good relationship and love each other, they can empathize and sympathize with your romantic involvements. It is hoped that your parents can honestly discuss sex, birth control, and other important aspects of sexuality with you. If not, you need to find an older relative, a close neighbor, a teacher, or a school nurse with whom to talk. You can't always believe everything your friends tell you. Most often they are as confused as you are. Find an adult you can trust, and talk openly about love and sex.
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