Teens, Sex, and YOU

Statistics regarding sexually behavior among teenagers can be taken with a grain of salt. Because society has a controversial relationship to sex in general, and at best marginalizes teen sexuality , this population has many reasons to hide their sex lives from adults, and little reason to be honest. This probably accounts for the fluctuating data I’m finding about teens and sex.

Most of the research appears to support the conclusion that teenagers are waiting to have vaginal intercourse. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the percentage of 12th-grade students in the U.S. who reported having had intercourse declined from 66.7% in 1991 to 60.5% in 2001.

The reason for this may be that teens are engaging in anal and oral sex instead. For example, the CDC reports that more than 50% of U.S. teens ages 15 to 19 have engaged in oral sex. This number increases to almost 70% for those who are 18 and 19. Several media reports suggest that anal sex among teens 15 to 19 have increased, but the CDC is stating that anal sex among teens has stayed steady at 11% between 1995 and 2002.

Dr. Laura Berman, who is a regular guest on TV programs including Oprah, Dr. Oz, and the Today Show, believes teens are engaging in both oral and anal sex because they think it’s safe and they are keeping their virginity intact.

Information is power when it comes to your teenager making informed decisions about their sexual behavior . Here are some facts they need to know:

• Many common STDs can be transmitted via oral sex (fellatio or cunnilingus) and anal sex. These include: Hepatitis B, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, HIV, Human papilloma virus (HPV), Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), Syphilis, and Yeast infections

• It’s estimated that 20 million Americans between the ages of 15 - 49 have an active HPV infection.

• In many cases, a STD can be transmitted even if the penis or tongue doesn’t go all the way in to the vagina, mouth or rectum and even if it isn’t obvious that body fluids are exchanged.

• The most dangerous HPV's, 16 and 18, which are transmitted through sexual contact are known to cause up to 95% of cervical cancers. Now these two HPV's are also being linked to oral cancer and anal cancer.

• Evidence suggests that people with multiple sexual partners have a much higher incidence of HPV and cervical cancer.

The best way to make sure your pre-teens and teens are making safe and educated decisions about sex is to have age-appropriate conversations (emphasis on plural) early and often that include information about their own bodies, your family values as it relates to sex, and facts relating to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. With so much media coverage these days about teen sex, there are many teachable moments.

Many parents are not comfortable talking with their children about sex. Should this be the case for you, there are many very good books available to help you. Dr. Berman has a new one titled, “Talking to Your Kids About Sex”. If you prefer to be “coached” before engaging in these kinds of conversations with your kids, I would be honored to guide you. Feel free to call or email me to discuss this option. You are also welcome to call (727) 781-6567 or email ( forrest@LifeWorksWithEFT.com ) any questions or concerns you may have.

Good luck Mom and Dad!