More Teens Choosing Abstinence....

More teens, both male and female, are choosing abstinence, according to a new study released on December 10 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).   The new research is contained in the National Survey of Family Growth released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.  The data show that sexual activity declined significantly for younger teenage girls and for teenage boys between 1995 and 2002, and that teen contraceptive use improved in significant ways.  According to the study, the proportion of never-married females 15-17 years of age who had ever had sexual intercourse dropped significantly from 38 percent in 1995 to 30 percent in 2002.  For male teens aged 15-17, the percent of those who were sexually experienced also dropped significantly, from 43 percent to 31 percent.   The number of older females aged 18-19 having sex increased slightly, from 68 percent in 1995 to 69 percent in 2002.   However, the number of older males aged 18-19 having sex decreased substantially, from 75 percent to 64 percent.  These and other data suggest that teenagers are delaying sex until somewhat older ages. There is much good news in these results,said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson.  _More teenagers are avoiding or postponing sexual activity, which can lead to sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy or emotional and societal responsibilities for which they are not prepared. Bruce Cook, Founder and President of Choosing the Best, states, _These results validate that abstinence education is working.  When teens clearly understand the benefits of being abstinent and the risks of sexual activity, they are choosing what's best for their future abstinence._

Other findings of interest:

Nearly one third of teens (31% of boys and 29% of girls) have  not discussed sex, contraception, and/or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) with their parents.

Of those teens that have not had sex, the primary reason for   their decision was that it was "against religion or morals."

Adolescents have an 18% chance of having a child during      their teen years and most births to teens under age 18 are unintended (88%).

A small but significant minority of teens (13% of girls and        15% of boys) said they would be "pleased" if they got pregnant/got someone pregnant.

Nearly one in ten (9%) teen girls describe the first time they      had sexual intercourse as non-voluntary.  Many more teens    (66% of girls and 39% of boys) say they had "mixed feelings" about the first time they had sex or that they "didn't really       want it to happen at the time."

Overall, 31% of teen boys and 28% of teen girls have had two     or more sexual partners. Nearly six in ten (57%) of those teens who first had sex before age 15 have had four or more sexual partners.

11% of teen boys and 13% of teen girls have taken a pledge        to remain a virgin until marriage.