Increasing Promiscuity Among teenagers

 By : Korentina Ekilia Viat

Promiscuity is a growing social issue among teenagers. This term refers to social behavior that goes beyond the norms and values prevailing in society. According to Suhaida (2018) in M. Mbayang (2024), promiscuity is behavior that includes sexual freedom, alcohol consumption, drug use, or other actions that are contrary to social and moral norms. This problem is a serious concern because it has an impact on individuals and the environment. So, why is teenage promiscuity increasing? It is caused by several interrelated factors, such as lack of self-control and awareness of risks, lack of attention and supervision from the family, as well as the influence of the social environment and social media.

Weak Self-Control and Lack of Risk Awareness. One of the main causes of increased promiscuity is the lack of self-control among teenagers. Teenagers who have low self-control are more easily tempted to take impulsive actions without considering the consequences. According to the Head of BKBN NTT, Marianus Mau Kuru, out of every 1,000 adolescent girls in NTT, 97 experience pregnancy outside of marriage and give birth as single mothers. These figures show that many teenagers are unable to control themselves. Often, they do not realize that promiscuity can have a negative impact on their future. In addition, a lack of understanding of the long-term risks can lead to serious consequences, such as dropping out of school and psychological distress.

Lack of Attention and Supervision from Family.Families play an important role in shaping the morals and character of children. However, many youths do not receive sufficient attention and supervision from their parents. This often happens in busy families or broken homes. According to Siana (2015), children with little parental guidance are more likely to seek escape from home, often ending up in unwholesome neighborhoods. For example, a UNICEF study in 2021 found that youths from families with poor communication were more prone to deviant behavior, such as drug use and juvenile delinquency. They feel a lack of attention and eventually seek recognition from the outside world, which may lead them into risky behaviors. Without strong family guidance, teenagers are more likely to stumble into social promiscuity.

Uncontrolled Social Environment and Social Media. The social environment has a significant impact on young people's behavior. If a teenager is surrounded by friends who engage in a promiscuous lifestyle, they are likely to follow suit. In addition, technological advancements contribute to promoting promiscuity. Young people today are heavily exposed to social media, where they often encounter content promoting unrestricted freedom. A study from KOMINFO in 2023 showed that 60% of Indonesian teenagers spend more than five hours a day on social media. Many of them access age-inappropriate content, such as videos featuring promiscuity, free lifestyles, and invitations to try alcohol and drugs. The lack of parental and governmental control over digital content makes teenagers more vulnerable.

In conclusion, teenage promiscuity is increasing due to interrelated factors, ranging from weak self-control and lack of family attention to the influence of the environment and technology. This issue cannot be taken lightly, as its impact can damage the future of teenagers and threaten the morals of future generations. Therefore, the role of families, schools, and the government is very important in providing proper education, supervising the use of social media, and creating a more positive environment for the development of young people. With these steps, it is hoped that the level of promiscuity among young people can be reduced so that they can grow up with better moral values.