Some claim the sex bracelet to be an urban legend, while others are banning them from schools. Many kids and teens state that the color of a jelly bracelet worn by a young girl indicates her sexual availability or what why she is willing to do with her body. Alarmingly, this trend seems to be more prevalent with junior high girls ages 11-13. However, there seems to be little consistency with the action that each color represents.
Yellow, pink, orange, black, with or without glitter, there appears to be no limit to the colors worn by young girls with their sex bracelets, or the actions that they represent. While one color indicates a girls willingness to give a hug, another suggests that she is open to kissing, while yet another may indicate intercourse or worse. Parents of kids and young teens need to be aware of this trend and make all efforts in preventing its progression, and communicate with your teen/pre-teen about sexuality and teen sexual activity.
Although your junior high daughter may wear a colored jelly bracelet or something similar, it does not necessarily mean that she is participating in the sexual act that is represents. However, being part of the “game” by following the trend may result in young girls feeling pressured to conduct sexual acts. Plus, young boys may see it as an invitation to perpetrate acts of sexual aggression. Part of the legend suggests that if a boy breaks the bracelet off the girls wrist, or pulls her by it to a private place, he is entitled to receive the action that is symbolized by the bracelet's color.
Overall, the bracelets pose a danger, as they are assumed to act as a “sex code.” They are one fashion expression that should be prohibited. While the average age of first sexual activity varies based on gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, it is often younger than one might suspect. Therefore, it is important to talk to your kids about sex from a young age, as to make sure they don't learn about it from a bracelet.
