Is promiscuity and a frivolous attitude about relationships expected from young people?

I’d like to consider myself part of the group “young people”, but I don’t think that necessarily excludes being monogamous. Sure, I like to have my fun, and sure I think I deserve to have my fun before I don’t get the chance to anymore, but I still like to consider myself respectful of each “relationship” I get into.

Expected?

No.

Reluctantly acknowledged that it’s likely to occur?

Yes.

I am in the catigory of “young people”, being sixteen. I have had my fair share of “fun”, I guess you’d call it, but it comes to a point where I get tired of it.

It can also get utterly depressing having to move on to someone else. So when I get a guy now, I try and hold on for as long as I can.

@ClubJenna : That’s good to hear. Just be careful.

No, I don’t expect if from young people because it’s something one can expect from any age group.

I don’t think it’s expected it ,but it doesn’t carry the stigma it used to. I think it’s a good thing. I don’t think they have a harder time being monogamous than the youth of any of the previous generations, they just don’t have the strict rules we had in our day. I advised my son to date them all and to date the good ones twice. I want him to experience as much life as he can before he settles down and starts a family.

@SABOTEUR Thanks. I am very careful now; not as naive as I used to be.

@ClubJenna : That’s my girl!

Agreeing with @Simone. I know plenty of supposed adults who fit your description.

Conversely, I’ve had numerous students who are fairly reserved.

Ultimately depends on the person.

Not necessarily. I know plenty of young people who are mature and not promiscuous at all. I also know many “not so young” people who are.

I guess I’m part of the younger crowd? well according to most flutherers I am, 27

Actually it’s quite the opposite for me. Dating when I was younger, I was very eager to be monogamous. Though, due to getting cheated on by many’a’ SO’s I’ve grown cold and built many walls. Now, a quite new recent development I’m constantly, um, ready to go and am kind of juggling at the moment. I do, however, make it clear that it’s nothing serious and that I’m just “seeing” them.

though it never seems to fail. When I do start falling for someone, it usually ends up going horribly wrong. What incentive do I have to open up?

Does anyone remember the word NO? it means no sex. this word applies to all ages, not just young people. the morales of our country are decaying at a fast rate. its up to the younger people to reverse this situation. your key word is expected. i have a problem with that word and younger people. so, what you are asking is this: should a couple on a date, expect to have sex, even if its a first date? the answer should be no. the real answer with todays younger people…....is maybe? i am an older person and i do see things today as younger people do. old school? YES. old school was and is the best school.

@john65pennington don’t you know that every generation says the ‘morales are decaying’?

I’m skirting “young”, so I’ll chime in.

I think many people believe that everyone else is promiscuous and frivolous, and some people are. But so many are not. It saddens me when I see friends of all sexes and orientations behave sexually in a way that isn’t true to themselves, just because they feel as if that’s what everyone else is doing. I see it on faces all the time, this desire for a deeper connection, but then folks will put on the mask of, “Oh, sure, I just want a one-night stand, too… Dammit, that’s all this person wants from me. :(”

Being true to one’s self as much as possible is the way to go. And this is what I encourage my friends to do, from those whose appetites are (healthily) voracious to those who’d just rather read a good book, thanks.

Even in the ‘good old days’ when people were strictly forbidden any kind of pre-marital sex, when kisses were scandalous, etc, etc, it was assumed that young men’s passions were fleeting while young women would try to string along several suitors, a variety of status as much as anything else.

Shakespeare’s Romeo mopes and pines for Rosaline until he meets Juliet and then so much for Rosaline:
   I have forgot that name, and that name’s woe.

Wisdom suggests that the young will be (relatively) frivolous and will make all the same old mistakes that their elders have long tired of making. This idea is the source of much literature, jokes, pop songs etc.

Accepting frivolousness – sexual or otherwise – in a world-weary way, making it the subject of humor, etc. doubtless produces cultural feedback that encourages young people to do just that.

But short if issuing hairshirts to co-eds I have no idea what we could do about it now.

@Factotum hairshirts? wtf, haha.