WHEN INNOCENCE WASN’T OPTIONAL...

THE PERMISSIVENESS OF A LOST GENERATION

There was a time not too long ago when values, discipline, and boundaries shaped our society. I was born in 1963 and raised in New York City, and I remember the days when a young girl getting pregnant at 14, 15, or even 18 was still considered a shame in most families. That didn’t mean it didn’t happen—but when it did, it was met with seriousness, not celebration. We understood that early sexual activity came with consequences—physical, emotional, and spiritual.

In the pesent day, however, we are no longer dealing with that same moral compass. We've opened Pandora’s Box. And unlike in the past, nobody seems in a hurry to close it. What was once considered shameful or private is now often glorified. Social media, pop culture, and peer pressure have rewritten the rules of growing up. Girls as young as 11 and 12 are thrown into an adult world far too early, and sadly, many parents don’t even see the danger anymore.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the average 23-year-old woman today has had more sexual partners than a 53-year-old woman from my generation. I don’t say that as a judgment—I say that as a fact I’ve witnessed firsthand, especially from my years being raised from birth in a fast paced city. Young girls today are exposed to more explicit content, more freedom, and far less accountability than ever before. And the results are showing—loud and clear.

You see, in the past, sexuality was sacred. There was a sense of timing and purpose behind it. Today, it’s a trend, a performance, a way to gain followers and attention online. Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok—they’ve all become stages for sexual expression before these kids even know who they are. And while the world watches, many of our daughters are losing something they can’t ever get back: their innocence.

My expressions here isn’t about blaming young women. It’s about examining the culture that pushed them here. It’s about asking hard questions and giving honest answers. And it’s about warning young people—and their parents—that the freedom they’re celebrating comes at a devastating price.

THE ERA OF DIGITAL PERMISSION

In the present so-called culture, the rules of the past seem like relics. What used to be considered reckless behavior is now normalized—even encouraged. The idea of "sexual liberation" has replaced the concepts of restraint, self-respect, and modesty. Social media has allowed the most private parts of ourselves to become public entertainment.

Young girls today are not just influenced by their peers, but by complete strangers who shape their understanding of self-worth. Likes, follows, and comments now act as forms of validation, and many are told they are “empowered” when they show more skin, act provocatively, or even send explicit pictures. But this isn't power—it’s exposure. And exposure without boundaries is dangerous.

Snapchat, in particular, gave young girls a false sense of control. The idea that images would “disappear” encouraged risky behavior. But these digital footprints don’t truly disappear. Many girls, still in middle school, began sending nudes and engaging in conversations far beyond their maturity level. What began as curiosity often spiraled into a pattern of sexual behavior at a young age.

THE COST OF EARLY SEXUALIZATION

What no one tells these young girls is that there is a heavy emotional and spiritual cost. Promiscuity may seem harmless at first, but the truth is, every physical connection leaves an invisible mark. We call them soul ties—deep, emotional bonds that don’t break just because a relationship ends.

When a woman is intimate with a man, especially over and over with different partners, she collects energy, memories, and emotional weight that can affect her for years. And while men may experience this to some degree, women—being receivers, nurturers, and life-givers—are affected more deeply. Their bodies remember. Their hearts remember. Their spirits remember.

In older generations, even if a young woman did make a mistake, there was usually a clear voice—whether from parents, church, or community—to guide her back. But today, those voices are often silent. The message now is “do what makes you happy,” even if it leads to long-term pain. And for too many young women, that pain is delayed—but not denied.

NORMALIZED DEGRADATION

We’ve reached a place where even the most graphic behavior is seen as “normal.” Twerking, sexual challenges, and provocative dances are all over social media. And it’s not just teens watching—it’s younger kids as well. These platforms have lowered the age of sexual exposure so much that childhood seems like a myth now.

In my time, there was a clear line between childhood and adulthood. Now? That line is blurred. Music, TV shows, and viral influencers teach these young girls that their worth is based on how “sexy” they can be. And if they resist? They’re called prudes or made fun of. So what do they do? They go along. But deep down, many of them are hurting.

THE SPIRITUAL DAMAGE NO ONE TALKS ABOUT

The real danger isn’t just pregnancy or STDs. The real danger is the long-term damage to the soul. We are spiritual beings. And when sex becomes casual, the spirit becomes confused. Women who’ve had many partners often speak of feeling empty, broken, or lost—even if they can’t explain why.

There is a reason why many cultures treated sex as sacred. Because it is. It’s powerful. And when used carelessly, it can create deep emotional scars. Some young women will carry those scars for life. Others will never realize that their depression, anxiety, or broken relationships stem from those unhealed wounds.

A CULTURE OFF THE RAILS

We’ve gone too far. The moral compass is broken, and very few people are trying to fix it. The culture has moved so far from decency that things which were once disgraceful are now mainstream. And while it may seem like freedom, it’s really a form of bondage. These young girls are not empowered—they’re exploited.

We have a responsibility to speak the truth, even when it's uncomfortable. We have to ask: what kind of women are we creating? What kind of future are we building when promiscuity is promoted and purity is mocked? If no one sets a new standard, the next generation will go even further into destruction.

This isn't about going back in time. It’s about restoring balance—reminding our daughters that their bodies are not tools for validation. That their value doesn't come from how much attention they get, but from how much respect they have for themselves.

The conversation must begin in our homes, schools, churches, and online platforms. We cannot be silent while the culture pulls our children into an early and dangerous adulthood. We must raise our voices, and raise our standards.

Because if we don’t stand up now, the next 23-year-old will not only have lost her innocence—she’ll have never known what it was in the first place.