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TEEN SEXUAL HEALTH INFORMATION

The Facts - Sexual Activity:

17 Years Old

On average, young people in the
United States have sex for the first time
at about age 17 *

50% by 18

More than half of U.S. teenagers
reported having had sexual
intercourse by age 18 **

Going Steady

 74% of female teens and 51% male
teens had a first partner with whom
they were “going steady” **
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Age 15-19

From 2011-2013, among never-
married females and males aged 15-19,
13% of females and 18% of males had reported
having had sexual intercourse
before age 15 *

99%

 reported having used some
form of contraception. The most
commonly used method among
female teens: condom (97%),
withdrawal (60% )
and the pill (56%) **

Not Ready

Among those teens who
had not yet had sex, the most common
reasons for abstaining were:
“it was against religion or morals,”
“haven’t found the right person yet,” and
“don’t want to get (a female) pregnant.” **

The Facts-Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)

50%

Adolescents ages 15-24 account for
nearly half of the 20 million new cases of
STDs each year ***

2 in 5

sexually active teen girls have had
an STD that can cause infertility
and even death ***

21% HIV

diagnoses were among young people
(aged 13-24) in 2017; 87% were young
men and 13% were young women **

*According to the Guttmacher Institute (2017)
**According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017)
***According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2019)

 

Videos That Can Help:

Communication Resources:

Sexual Behavior: Choices and Risks Conversation Starters/Scenarios

Actual phrases and situations that can be used to introduce the topic of sexual behavior and offer opportunities to open a dialogue with your kids.

Sexual Behavior: Choices and Risks Framework Outline

This outline shows how
this vignette fits into a healthy
conversation framework.

Body Image & Sexual Bullying: Framework to Help Discussions

When parents initiate a discussion or an opportunity arises to talk, here are some helpful steps for healthy and meaningful conversations.

Other Links & Resources:

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