- 1 in 4 sexually active teens will get an STD
http://www.kff.org/youthhivstds/upload/U-S-Teen-Sexual-Activity-Fact-Sheet.pdf
- Abstinence from vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse is the only 100% effective way to prevent HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy
- 34% of girls become pregnant at least once before age 20.
Albert B, et al. 2003. 14 and Younger
- Each year, there are approximately 19 million new STD infections, and almost half of them are among youth aged 15 to 24.
Weinstock H, Berman S, Cates W. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: Incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 2004;36(1):6-10.
- 58% of teens think it is not acceptable for unmarried teens to have sex.
- 87% of teens surveyed do not think it is embarrassing for teens to admit they are virgins.
NCPTP. 2003. With one Voice…
- Over half of teens in high school are not having sexual intercourse.
CDC. 2001. YRBS
- Sexual intercourse will not:
-Guarantee a longer and closer relationship.
-Make you more mature, grown-up, or a “real” man or woman
CDC. 2001.YRBS
- Advantages of Abstinence:
-Frees an unmarried individual to focus on personal development (ie, education, work, leisure, travel…)
-The only 100% way to avoid STI’s and non-marital pregnancies.
-Is free and available to everyone
-Encourages individuals to build healthy relationships not confused by sexual involvement
-Builds self-esteem
- Teen parents are more likely than other teens to:[4]
-drop out of school
-have additional out-of-wedlock children
-change jobs
-be on welfare
-have mental and physical health problems
- Children born to teens are at increased risk for: [5-6]
-low birth weight
-lower cognitive scores
-school failure
-becoming teenage parents
-incarceration
-drug abuse
(4) Coley RL, Chase-Lansdale PL. Adolescent pregnancy and parenthood: Recent evidence and future directions. Am Psychol. 1998;53(2):152-166. (5) US General Accounting Office. Teen Mothers: Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Risk Factors. Washington, DC: US General Accounting Office; June 1998. GAO/HEHS-98-141. Available at: http://www.hi-ho.ne.jp/taku77/refer/teenmo.pdf. Accessed August 26, 2005.
- Adolescents are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex, when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. [7] In 2005, 23% of high school students who had sexual intercourse during the past three months drank alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse.
(1) CDC. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2005 [pdf 300K]. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report 2006;55(SS-5):1–108. (7)Leigh B, Stall R. Substance use and risky sexual behavior for exposure to HIV: issues in methodology, interpretation, and prevention. American Psychologist 1993;48:1035–1043.
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