Jump Rope Term Reduces Teen Sexual Complications

 In the Double Dutch jump roping game, a jumper must negotiate between two ropes turned from opposite directions. It is a complicated game, one that required focus and a honed sense of timing. The game evolved by Dutch settlers some 400 years ago when they made their home on the Hudson River in the New York Area. By the 1970’s Double Dutch was so popular, competitions were held in New York. Double Dutch jump roping songs became popular as well. Now Double Dutch is a varsity sport on some colleges.

So, how does a jump rope term help reduce teen sexual complications like pregnancy,abortions and STDs and create more respectful relationships for our teen girls?

If we teach our teens the concept of Double Dutch as the people in the Netherlands use the expression, our teens would be in a lot better shape. There the term Double Dutch means that you do not just “hook up” with someone, as is common here in the United States, but rather you wait to have sex until you know each other and have a foundation of mutual respect and trust for each other. You are both in the relationship on equal footing.  On top of that, when you do have sex, you use two forms of birth control, usually The Pill and a condom. Both participants must use protection, hence the term “Double Dutch.” The Netherlands enjoys the lowest rates of teen pregnancy, teen birth, abortion and STDs. (Respectful sex is a concept I touch on in my newest book. “Laid or Loved? The Secrets Guys Wish You Knew About Being a Dream Girl Instead of a Just-In-His-Jeans Girl.)

Instead of simply watching nimble children and young adults jump over two swinging ropes, let’s teach the phrase Double Dutch to our preteens and teens to help them avoid the tangles of the tricky teen years. We can use the Netherlands model as a way to help our teens learn they can work in tandem with each other in respectful, successful ways, without being tripped up by pregnancy, STDs and all the other drama/trauma that tags along with simply “hooking up.

For more information please read Susie Wilson’s article by clicking here.

I know the topic of teen sexuality is sometimes scary for parents. But the fact is, our teens are sexual beings, and they are acting out on natures way of keeping the population growing. Life longs for more life! We need to help educate our teens about safe, respectful sex. Even if you are hoping your precious daughter walks down the aisle  a virgin, the reality may be different than what you hope for. Ignoring the new cultural trends here in the United States around sexual behavior won’t make the behavior change. We must arm ourselves as parents with education, listening skills, role modeling skills, humor, patience and a true desire to be of service to our teens and help them.

Enough said!

All the best,

Dr. Jenn