Reports about a teenage oral-sex epidemic and teen pregnancy on the rise are enough to worry any parent. But is the news misleading? New York Times Jan 27, 2009)
True: The National Center for Health Statistics reported this month that births to 15-19 year olds has risen for the first time in more than a decade.
But also true: The vast majority of teens are not engaging is risky sexual behavior. A 2002 report from the Department of Health and Human Services found that 30% of 15-17 year old girls had experienced sex, down from 38% in 1995. Among boys, 31% were sexually experienced, down from 43% in 1995.
National statistics on teen sex indicate that teenagers with more parental supervision and who are doing well in school are more likely to delay sex until their late teens or beyond. In fact, the vast majority of teens are not engaging in risky sexual behavior. Fewer than half of all high school students have had sex (47.8%) according to the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, down from 54.1% in 1991. Please send your comments?
True: The National Center for Health Statistics reported this month that births to 15-19 year olds has risen for the first time in more than a decade.
But also true: The vast majority of teens are not engaging is risky sexual behavior. A 2002 report from the Department of Health and Human Services found that 30% of 15-17 year old girls had experienced sex, down from 38% in 1995. Among boys, 31% were sexually experienced, down from 43% in 1995.
National statistics on teen sex indicate that teenagers with more parental supervision and who are doing well in school are more likely to delay sex until their late teens or beyond. In fact, the vast majority of teens are not engaging in risky sexual behavior. Fewer than half of all high school students have had sex (47.8%) according to the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, down from 54.1% in 1991. Please send your comments?
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