04/29/2006

The ring is the thing in tonight's show

BY GRETCHEN MURRAY
Local Columnist

Even if you haven't sat your teenager down for that "little chat," chances are he knows the facts of life.

Even parents who have talked to their kids about sex need to understand that when teens are pressured with choices, sometimes all the parental advice in the world can get thrown to the wind.

But tonight area teens can get some positive peer support when the Grand Traverse Area Students for Life present the "Silver Ring Thing Show" from 6 to 9 p.m. at New Hope Community Church in Williamsburg.

The show takes a high tech, club-style approach to addressing issues such as dating, love and making the right choices. And if the loud music, flashing lights and streaming videos don't get their attention, then perhaps some hard-hitting statistics on the rise of sexually transmitted disease among teens might.

"'The 'Silver Ring Thing" is new as far as format goes," said Dawn Sheidler, executive director of Grand Traverse Area Right to Life, which is sponsoring the program. "It's geared to seventh through twelfth grade, and offers a mix of videos, a comedy troupe presentation and testimonials."

At the conclusion, teens, including those who might have already had a sexual relationship, can decide if abstinence until marriage is right for them. If so, they take a vow of celibacy and place a silver ring on their ring finger to symbolize that choice.

Currently there is a move across the country for teens to choose abstinence, not only to avoid pregnancy, but also as a way to keep from becoming one of the sobering statistics in what the Center for Disease Control terms a "hidden epidemic."

According to Traverse City family physician Dr. Lynn Swan, teens comprise 10 percent of the nation's population, but make up 25 percent of all STD cases in the country.

"Although Traverse City has fewer HIV cases, it falls in line with national averages in overall STD statistics," Swan said. "For example, half of all new chlamydia cases are diagnosed in girls age 15-19. It can cause sterility and there rarely are symptoms."

Swan said the physical dangers, coupled with the emotional impact of early sexual activity, can lead to problems such as low self esteem or depression.

"It breaks my heart, because it causes a brokenness that can't be fixed," she said.

Parents can accompany their teens to tonight's program or attend a lecture by Traverse City physician Dr. Meg Meeker, author of the book "Epidemic: How Teen Sex is Killing Our Kids" that will run simultaneously at the church.

"The silver ring is symbolic in that it represents a commitment to remain pure," Sheidler said. "And it becomes a beautiful part of a wedding ceremony when it is taken off and exchanged for a wedding ring."

The entry fee tonight is $5, plus $15 for a ring if a teen decides to buy one.