New survey results suggest teens may be smarter about sex than we think
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just released the 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Data (pdf). I also recently had an opportunity to look over the soon-to-be-available-on-the-web released summary of the Massachusetts YRBS data as well. The YRBS is a school-based survey that is given to high school students every two years. The survey contains a plethora of self-reported data on topics including nutrition, physical activity, violence, sex, drug and alcohol use and depression and suicide. While the data gathered on sexual behavior is limited to students who were in school at the time that the survey was conducted (perhaps the students who were skipping or dropping out of school are at increased risk?), and while the scope and depth of the questions are fairly broad, as far as behavioral data on the sexual behavior of teens is concerned, it's the best we've got.
According to the 2005 U.S. report (pdf),
Less than one half (47%) of students reported having had sexual intercourse in their lives. This number is less than the number of students reporting sexual intercourse in 1995 (53%).
Only about 14% of students reported having had four or more partners during their lifetime, as compared to the 18% who reported four or more partners on the 1995 YRBS.
Among sexually active students, 63% reported that they or their partner used a condom at last intercourse. This number is up significantly from the 54% of sexually active students reporting condom use in 1995.
These results are certainly encouraging. What explains the changes? Is it that the "don't do it until you're married" messaging from the abstinence-only movement is working? Is it that avoiding talking with teens about sexuality, HIV/AIDS, STDs and birth control actually keeps them innocent and saves them from their awakening sexual impulses?
Hardly.
Actually, what we found in 2005 in Massachusetts is that students who had HIV/AIDS education in school actually postponed sexual activity longer, had fewer partners, were more likely to avoid STDs and pregnancies, used condoms more frequently, and talked more with their parents about sex.
(To view this chart more clearly as a pdf, Click here.)
Want to see even better results for teens in future years? More education and better communication about sexuality may be the keys.
Posted by Jenn on July 10, 2006 8:07 PM
Permalink | Email to a Friend | Add post to del.icio.us
More Recent Stories:
• The consistency paradox continued - New rules of engagement
• Now you see me, now you don't - Why consistency matters
• Are you a good cyberflirt?
• Mother May I? OH! YES YOU MAY!
• Flirting online – Can you feel me undressing you with my keystrokes?
• Board game makers continue in pursuit to end your relationship, destroy your life
• Why sex-pigs have got everybody's panties in a bunch
• White guy on black love site tells women, "stop dating guys that aren't me."
• You viewed my MySpace profile... why haven't you called?
• Rap and hip-hop song lyrics proven to twitterpate teens
what's truly frightening is when you feel compelled to counsel your own parents about their marriage, communication and sex life... when you're 17.
good morning and good night.
-- Posted by: Jace at January 7, 2008 5:01 AM