Myth About Teen Promiscuity

In an article from the nytimes says that there is a myth of rampant teenage promiscuity. Teenager’s parents are constantly worrying about changing moral values and risky behavior among this group. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, reported that the rate of births for 15- to 19-year-olds rose for the first time in over a decade. Although this is alarming news in reality most teens are waiting to have sex and are said to be “more conservative about sex than previous generations” (TARA PARKER-POPE, 2009).

According to the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey the percentage of teenagers that has had sex is 47.8 but in 2007. This percentage is down from a 54.1 percent in 1991. In another report from the Department of Health and Human Services showed that 30 percent of teenage girls ranging in age from 15 – 17 in 2002. This rate was down from 38 percent in 1995. For teenage boys who have had sex in the same age range was 31 percent which was down from 43 percent in 2002.

In the same report, the rates went down for younger teenagers as well. In 2002 only 13 percent of girls had sex before the age of 15 which was down from 20 percent in 1995.
According to Kathleen A. Bogle who is a professor at La Salle University she says that “There’s no doubt that the public perception is that things are getting worse, and that kids are having sex younger and are much wilder than they ever were, But when you look at the data, that’s not the case.”

One main reason people misinterpret teenage sexual behavior is because dating and relationships had changed over time. In the first half of the 20th century, “dating was planned and structured — and a date might or might not lead to a physical relationship” (TARA PARKER-POPE, 2009). This scares the parents of teens now because things aren’t the way they used to be. This new pattern of dating is in forms of gatherings and hook ups. It could also be like this picture. The current rise in teenage pregnancy rates is cause for concern for both parents and teens. It could also be like this picture.

Today there are all types of contraceptives including condoms, birth control and abstinence. The rate has dropped drastically since 1950 same with abortion rates. According to Maria Kefalas who is a professor of sociology at St. Joseph’s University she says that “There is a group of kids who engage in sexual behavior, but it’s not really significantly different than previous generations…This creeping up of teen pregnancy is not because so many more kids are having sex, but most likely because more kids aren’t using contraception.”

According to the Nation Statistics on behavior about 16 percent of teens say they had oral sex. Today’s teens are said to have a more relaxed attitude towards oral sex than previous generations. Also some think this is safer form of sex and pregnancy isn’t a problem to worry about. All it takes for teens to have sex is that it requires time and lack of supervision.