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Our society is over-saturated with sexual images. Everywhere we look, from billboards to grocery store check out counters, we are bombarded with blatantly sexual pictures. The Internet and cable television have allowed for unprecedented access to pornographic images. One doctor and medical educator believes that this obsession with pornography actually affects the brains of young people.

Gary Rose, M.D., President of the Medical Institute for Sexual Health, located in Austin, Texas, has recently revealed research concerning the development of the brain. "...We now know, through MRI studies-magnetic resonance imaging studies that are not harmful to do-that the pre-frontal cortex, the front part of the brain, is the last part of the brain to mature. That is the part of the brain that deals with long term judgment and delayed gratification... By scanning multiple brains, we have shown it is not really mature until about age 25. "

This has been revolutionary research, because before MRI scans were available, brain development was primarily studied by using cadavers. Scientists used to believe that the brain was fully developed much earlier in life, since it is 90% of its adult size, by the age of 6. But long term studies have shown that there is a second wave of brain development, that occurs later in childhood. The final part of this development affects some of our highest mental functions, and occurs during the late teens.

So now we know scientifically, what we already knew in our hearts. A teenager's brain is different-not a finished product, but a work in progress. They are not just adults in smaller bodies; they are still growing and developing. Until their pre-frontal cortex develops completely, they may not think about what the consequences of their behaviors are. They may be more impulsive, less inhibited, and more spontaneous than adults, while not considering negative consequences. The areas of the brain that help a teenager call a halt to risky, uncontrolled behaviors are still under construction.

Society has already acknowledged that a young person is more mature at age 25. Car insurance rates lower substantially at age 25, and many companies will not allow those below the age of 25 to rent a car. It is widely accepted that better decisions often come with maturity. But what does this have to do with our sex obsessed culture? Apparently a lot. Dr. Rose explains the correlation this way, "This is so important, because in young people, their brains are still

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