Teenagers are having less sex and more of them are using birth control. However, they aren’t using “highly effective contraceptive methods” to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was released Wednesday.
One of the main reasons for the research is to “look at factors that influence teen childbearing,” according to Gladys M. Martinez, who worked on the study. One of the biggest takeaways from the report is that more teens are using the morning after pill, probably because it no longer requires a prescription. According to the CDC Report:
- In 2011–2013, 44% of female teenagers and 47% of male teenagers aged 15–19 had experienced sexual intercourse; the percentage has declined significantly, by 14% for female and 22% for male teenagers, over the past 25 years.
- In the early teen years males were more likely than females to have had sexual intercourse. But the percentage of older teenagers who had sexual intercourse was similar for female and male teenagers.
- In 2011–2013, 79% of female teenagers and 84% of male teenagers used a contraceptive method at first sexual intercourse.
- The condom remained the most common contraceptive method used among teenagers.
- Young women who did not use a method of contraception at first sexual intercourse were twice as likely to become teen mothers as those who used a method.
One conclusion from the study is that if female teens use contraception the first time they have sex they are more likely to use contraception every time they have sex. Subsequently, if they do not use contraception the first time, they are 2-5 times more likely to have a baby during their teen years.
Why are teens having less sex?
According to some people, teens are spending more time on electronic devices and are learning more about sex than teens before them. The Washington Post reported that teens “are more comfortable searching in private for credible information about sexual health, she said. They could be better educated about the risks — and more mentally prepared before that first heated moment ever comes.” They also attributed the numbers to the HPV vaccine and the conversation that comes with it. When teens receive the vaccine, they learn about the dangers of STDs and that HPV can be contracted even while wearing a condom. This encourages them to learn ways to stay healthy and that may include not having sex.
