- Teens today are making more responsible decisions about sex and contraception. In teenagers aged 15 –17, the pregnancy rate has decreased 33 percent from 1990 to 2000, a record low.
- Fewer teens are having sex. In 1991, 54 percent of high school students (grades 9-12) reported having had sex. The proportion has decreased over the years, so that by 2003, it was 46.7 percent. Somewhat more than half of 2003 high school seniors (61 percent of boys, 62 percent of girls) have had sex. And teens are having fewer sexual partners. The proportion of high school seniors who had had sexual intercourse with four or more people during their life declined from 25 percent in 1991 to 20 percent in 2003.
- Even though fewer teens are having sex, those who do have sex are not protecting themselves well enough. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unplanned pregnancy still commonly occur in teenagers who have sexual intercourse. One of every ten American girls aged 15-19 years gets pregnant every year (includes any marital status) and most say the pregnancy was unintended. One of four young persons who have sex contract an STD every year.
- Contraceptive use at first sex has increased. In 1988, 65 percent of females aged 15-19 reported using contraception the first time they had sex. By 2002, this had increased to 74 percent.
- Contraceptive use at most recent sex has also increased. In 1988, 77 percent of females aged 15-19 used contraception the most recent time they had sex. By 2002, 83 percent reported using contraception at most recent sex.
- One-quarter of sexually active 9-12th grade students report using alcohol or drugs during their most recent sexual encounter. Males (30 percent) are more likely than females (21 percent) to report having done so.
- Among 15-17-year olds, 51 percent say that they are personally concerned that they might “do more” sexually than they planned to because they were drinking or using drugs.
- The younger teen girls are, the less likely they are to have used birth control pills during their last sexual intercourse.
- Teaching teens about contraception does not increase sexual activity. In fact, teaching teens about contraception as part of a comprehensive adolescent pregnancy prevention program may delay age at first sexual activity.
Source: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, www.teenpregnancy.org.
Updated 5-21-05
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