It Makes Sense If Taken In Context
Dear Ann Landers: I just got around to writing you about your “Teen-Age Sex Test” and am plenty upset. Whoever decided on the scoring system is living in another century or is just plain nuts.
A girl could, according to that test, go out with a member of the opposite sex (2 points), French-kiss in a reclining position (6 points combined), take off all her clothes (12 points altogether) and still be considered “normal and decent.” Give me a break.
Or, to figure it another way, she could be picked up by a stranger, have sex with him and still get a rating between “Normal and Decent” and “Passionate and Headed for Trouble,” as long as she didn’t drink or smoke or take off all her clothes. A girl in our phys ed class was in tears because she is “Condemned” even though she is a virgin, technically speaking.
Also, if a person wants to follow the guidelines to a T, a guy could take a girl out and spend the whole night in his car with her doing everything but youknow-what, and his score would be the same as an altar boy or singer in the church choir as long as he didn’t light up a joint or drink a beer. That does not make a whole lot of sense to me.
Although that test came out quite a while ago, the kids at New Trier High School in Winnetka are still talking about it. I hope you won’t print any more tests like that because it upsets the kids who are really decent, and the wild ones just laugh and think it’s funny. - Miss X in Winnetka, Ill.
Dear Miss X: Thanks for writing, but didn’t anyone notice that the test was updated from one that appeared more than 20 years ago and the new scoring was set up by Canadian teens in Winnipeg? While times have changed and teenagers tend to be more experienced these days, I doubt that kids in Winnipeg are any looser than those in Winnetka.
The scoring makes more sense if taken in context. For example, it’s unlikely someone would have sex without also taking off clothing, kissing in a reclining position, etc., all of which would make the score higher.
I’m glad to know that the teenagers in your school took it seriously, however. That speaks well for New Trier. Keep reading:
From Los Angeles: That new Teen-Age Sex Test stank. I am 16 and it seems that I am “Pure as the Driven Snow.” (Actually, I’m far from it.) Something is very wrong with the scoring.
Greensboro, N.C.: I’m a 16-year-old girl who promised my parents I will not drink, smoke or do drugs until I turn 18. I have also promised myself I will not have sex until I am married. According to your scoring, I am “Innocent and Unaware.” According to that same method of scoring, I could have smoked pot, had sex and lied to my parents and would still be considered “Normal and Decent.” Please explain this to me because I just don’t get it.
Portland: How come taking LSD is 8 points and being picked up by someone you never saw before is only 7 and getting busted is 10? Looks like you are in trouble only if you get caught.
Charleston, S.C.: I am 70 years old, and my wife is 68. We took your sex test and were thrilled to find out that we are “Passionate and Heading for Trouble.” We are looking forward to the years ahead with a new sense of joy and anticipation.
xxxx