Survey Finds Less Teenage Sex, More Condom Use
Too many high school students continue to practice behaviors that place them at risk for serious injury, sexually transmitted diseases including HIV infection, and chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer according to a report from the 1999 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Click here to view full report. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/yrbs/yrbsaag1999.htm ) Currently, the TRBSS is the most comprehensive source of data on the health risk behaviors of high school students, containing information about high school students nationwide in 33 states and 16 large cities.
One of the most positive trends highlighted in the survey says that fewer teens are engaging in sexual intercourse and among those that are having sex, condom use is up, a trend across all genders and ethnicities. The two year survey found that 16.2 percent of students have had sex with more than one partner in 1999, down from 18.7 percent in 1991, and 8.3 percent of teens had first intercourse before the age of 13, as compared to 10.2 percent nine years ago. On the other hand, condom use has increased from 46 percent in 1991 to 58 percent in 1999.
According to Laura Kann, Chief of Research for the Division of Adolescents and School Health at the CDC, this positive trend is the result of a collective effort of parents, schools, communities and community organizations who are working to educate kids about risky behavior and helping them stay motivated to avoid such behavior. However, “even though less kids may be at risk [because less teens are having sex] there are still too many kids who are at risk and we need to continue to address risky behavior,” she said.
According to Kate Shindle, former Miss America 1998, whose platform revolved around the issue of HIV education, sex has become much less of a taboo subject. Today, teenagers are bombarded with sexual images on television and the Internet, which have detracted some of the allure of sex. Shindle believes that the survey results, “point to the need for more discussion [between parents and teens] rather than less.”
Talking to Your Young Teen About Sex and Sexuality: Guidelines for Parents
Sex seems to be everywhere these days – on television, in the movies, and in popular songs. Sex in the media is so common that you might think that your young teenager already knows everything about sex, but this is not true. Teens today need information about sex more than ever, and you are still the best source for that information. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following tips to help you talk to your teen about this important and sensitive subject.
Why should I talk to my teen about sex?
Talks about sex should begin when your child first asks a question like "where do babies come from?" Children usually start asking such questions at age 3 or 4. Waiting until your child is a teenager to have "the big talk" means your child will probably learn his first lessons about sex from someone other than you. Studies show that children who learn about sex from friends instead of their parents are more likely to have sex before marriage. They are also more likely to have sex at a young age, and to have more than one sexual partner before marriage. You can have a great effect on your child by talking to him about sex even at a young age.
Television and sex
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, television exposes children and teens to adult behaviors by showing these actions as being normal and risk-free. Being sexually active is often shown on TV as a popular thing to do. Because sexual activity happens so often on TV, the message that is sent is "everybody does it" with no harmful results. In addition, young teens may think that these behaviors will make them more grown-up. What should I tell my teen about sex?
Well before they reach their early teens, both boys and girls should already know:
You should answer your teen's questions based on your own value system -- even if you think your values are old-fashioned by today's standards, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. If you feel strongly that sex before marriage is wrong, you should tell your teenager that, but be sure to explain why you feel that way. If you explain the reasons for your beliefs, your teen is more likely to understand and adopt your values. You also need to listen to what your teenager is saying. Find out what he or she knows about sex and try to answer her questions as clearly and directly as possible.
Important topics to address according to the American Academy of Pediatrics are: When talking about sex with your teen is difficult
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, talking about sex with your teenager may be a hard thing to do. Perhaps you find it embarrassing to talk about sex. Maybe you think talking about it will make your teen want to have sex. Maybe your teen does not seem to want to talk to you about sex. Don't worry. Many parents find talking about sex with their children hard. Sex is a very personal and private matter. If talking about sex is hard for you, try these tips: Parents often fear that even talking about sex may make it seem exciting to their children and make them want to try it. Teenagers are curious about sex, whether you talk to them about it or not. Studies show that teens whose parents talk openly about sex are actually more responsible in their sexual behavior.
Your guidance is important. It will help your teen make difficult decisions about sex, and it may make it less likely that he or she will be exposed to STDs or have an unplanned pregnancy. Teenagers who have poor information about sex (usually those who learn about sex from friends) or who have no information at all are the most likely to get into trouble.
"I want to talk to my teenager about sex, but every time I try to start a conversation, he or she just stares at me."
It is not always easy to talk to your teenager about anything, let alone something as private and difficult as sex. Your teen may be embarrassed to talk to you about sex. She may fear that if she opens up to you about sex, you might use what she says against her later. She may also feel that what she thinks about sex is none of your business.
Teenagers do need privacy. However, they also need information and guidance from parents. Try to strike a balance. Let your teen know that while you would prefer that she would accept your values, she will have to make her own sexual decisions. Give your teenager a chance to share what she thinks and to ask questions. If your teen does not say anything when you try to talk about sex, say what you have to say anyway. Your message will get through. If your teen disagrees with what you have to say or gets angry, take heart. This means that she has at least heard what you have said. These talks will help your teenager learn to think about her actions. They will also help her develop a solid value system, even if it is different from your own.
For more information, see the following American Academy of Pediatrics publications:
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