Visual Essay Script *Romeo and Juliet Video* Cute! Blehh.. Wait a minute, arent they, like, 14?

Relationships at that age dont last. Romeo and Juliet were being irrational and naive. Plus, their brains werent even fully developed yet. No! Relationships between teenagers and adolescents are typically viewed as naive and dangerous, according to parents and other adults, but these relationships provide essential life skills to our children. Did you know: That half of all teens report having been in a dating relationship and nearly one-third of all teens said they have been in a serious relationship? That three-fourths of teens age 16-18 report having had a relationship, dated, or hooked up with someone and half of these youth have had a serious boyfriend or girlfriend? That over 40% of youth report spending more time with their romantic partner than with friends and family? But this is what my parents told me: Im too young and inexperienced to understand relationships, sex, and romance. So, I shouldnt be allowed to engage in serious or sexual relationships. Im too young? Biologically, I was ready to have kids when I turned 11 *(13 for boys)*. Mother Nature says Im not too young. Why cant you treat me like an adult? 44 states AND the District of Columbia treat me like an adult in court. *List these states, counting on your ngers* Vermont Kansas Rhode Island Connecticut Illinois Mississippi Massachusetts

Wisconsin North Carolina In some states, kids as young as 10 years old have been tried as adults. If, judicially, I can be treated like an adult, you should treat me like an adult. But my Psych teacher said my brain isnt fully developed until Im 20. You mean the prefrontal cortex? Yeah, its in charge of executive decision-making and suppressing inhibitions. The prefrontal cortex, which becomes active as young as age 2? Yeah. Wait, really? Yeah, and between then and late teenage years, children have a higher density of gray matter, nerve endings, than adults. We can process more types of information. Thats why its so much easier for us to learn a second language. Only neurogenetic diseases and other similar dysfunctions have been shown to decrease the accuracy of the processes in the prefrontal cortex. Not age. Science everybody! So, now that Ive proven Im old enough.. *Skit time! If youre recording this elsewhere (on a webcam, or somewhere without me) disregard this passage* L: I wanna get married! A: Okay. How old are you? L: 16, going on 17. A: Alright. Where do you live? L: Arizona. A: Alright, take this form to a judge and have him sign it. L: Umm, just kidding! I live in Indiana. A: Oh, then that form will be $120, even if the judge doesnt sign it. L: What about California? A: Get your parents consent. Oh, and take this marriage counselor too. Then, appear before a superior court judge. L: Georgia? A: Take this blood test. And get your boyfriend to take it too. L: Alright alright, what if my parents wont give me consent? A: Do you live in Florida? L: ...yeah..sure.. A: Get pregnant. Then you can marry without your parents consent.

L: Okay, I actually live in Delaware. A: Is that so? Well, then you cant get married at all! *End of skit* Okay, so Ive decided not to get married just yet. But what if my partner and I, you know, want to *whisper* do it? Isnt that illegal? Yes. And no. Sexual intercourse between minors, or between a minor and an adult, is called statutory rape. Rape? However, there are these judicial defense tactics called the Romeo and Juliet laws. According to some states penal codes, if the age difference between the two parties is small, or even if the relationship has been obviously going on for a couple of years, there is nothing wrong. *Romeo and Juliet Video* Okay, I guess Im old enough. But whats the point? I dont want to go against my parents. Did you know that, according to studies done by Cornell University and the University of Rochester, relationships between adolescents and teens provide health benets such as Strengthening identity Developing interpersonal skills And discovering emotional support. But still, what about all of the dangers? I read that over 25% of 15-year-olds in Sweden reported that they had already had sexual intercourse. Did you know that Swedens residents also have the highest ranked health and safety in the world? Or that over 50% of 15-year-olds in Sweden spend time just talking to their parents several times a week? Or that over 75% of kids age 11, 13, and 15 nd their peers kind and helpful? Sweden ranked the highest on safe behaviors and the lowest on risks, and adolescent and teenage relationships are openly discussed in families. The behaviors of these 15year-olds reect the open discussion within families, and those discussions promote safe, healthy, okay relationships. So, talking about relationships is better than ignoring it?

*(Sarcastically)* Ignorance is bliss! Im *(say your age)*, and Im smart. My brain is developed. I know what Im doing. You treat me like an adult, so I am an adult. I can handle relationships, and you should be supporting my choices, because Im growing through them. Im learning. Dont ignore me. So, thank you.