Less Teen Sex

Matt, a high school junior has this take about teen sexual activity, “Kids are getting smarter about it, about having sex when they’re younger.”

Smarter, and they’re saying ‘no.’

According to the Centers for Disease Control… the number of 15 to 17 year olds who have had sexual intercourse has declined dramatically in the past decade… from 40 percent in 1995 to 30 percent today.

“A lot more diseases are out now and people are being more careful,” says Angie, 17.

Experts say that’s one reason for the decline…fear: fear of STD’s… and fear of intimacy. Also…teens are more likely to go on group dates today… in part because one-on-one dating is uncomfortable.

“And so I think the kind of conversation, the awkward conversation with one other person of the opposite sex has become anxiety provoking,” says John Lochridge, M.D., Psychiatrist.

“Some people fear that if you do have sex with this person that means you guys are like together and you have to stay together,” says Michael, 17.

“People just like to have fun and hang out and I don’t think people like getting really committed to people in high school,”

Experts say another factor is stronger female role models… showing girls how to say no.

“There’s stronger women, for instance in movies and on television that are willing to stand up for their own virtues and their own opinions about things,” says Dr. Lochridge.

Finally, even though parents say it’s an awkward conversation, he says the one’s who are willing to talk to their kids about sex are having an impact.

Recent studies have shown a decrease in the prevalence of many sexual behaviors among high school students throughout the United States, including sexual intercourse. Further, studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the percentage of sexually active students who used a condom at last intercourse continued to increase.

Even though the number of sexually active teens is in decline, the percentage of sexually active teens is still alarming. Consider the following statistics taken from a recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey:

• Half of all students had had sexual intercourse during their lifetime. Hispanic male students (62.9%) were significantly more likely than Hispanic female students (45.5%) to have had sexual intercourse. Overall, black students (71.2%) were significantly more likely than Hispanic students (54.1%) and white students (45.1%) to have had sexual intercourse.
• Nationwide, 8.3% of students had initiated sexual intercourse before age 13. Overall, male students (12.2%) were significantly more likely than female students (4.4%) to have initiated sexual intercourse before age 13.
• Nationwide, 16.2% of all students had sexual intercourse during their lifetime with four or more sex partners. Overall, male students (19.3%) were significantly more likely than female students (13.1%) to have had four or more sex partners.
• Nationwide, 36.3% of all students had sexual intercourse during the 3 months preceding the survey (i.e., currently sexually active). Overall, black students (53.0%) were significantly more likely than Hispanic and white students (36.3% and 33.0%, respectively) to be currently sexually active.
• Among students who had sexual intercourse during their lifetime, 27.3% had been abstinent during the 3 months preceding the survey (i.e., currently abstinent). Overall, male students (30.5%) were significantly more likely than female students (23.9%) to be currently abstinent.

Open communication and accurate information from parents increase the chance that teens will postpone sex. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, in talking with your child or adolescent, it is helpful to:

• Encourage your child to talk and ask questions.
• Maintain a calm and non-critical atmosphere for discussions.
• Use words that are understandable and comfortable.
• Try to determine your child’s level of knowledge and understanding.
• Keep your sense of humor and don’t be afraid to talk about your own discomfort.
• Relate sex to love, intimacy, caring and respect for oneself and one’s partner.
• Be open in sharing your values and concerns.
• Discuss the importance of responsibility for choices and decisions.
• Help your child to consider the pros and cons of choices.
• By developing open, honest and ongoing communication about responsibility, sex and choice, parents can help their youngsters learn about sex in a healthy and positive manner.

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
American Social Health Association
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry