CDC: Most teenagers are virgins

[rockin'robin]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Marie Dien-Hart and Ashli Lagerhausen, both 21, were teenagers from 2006 to 2008, when the latest CDC sex study was done.

It shows kids between the ages of 15 and 19 are not having sex. According to the study, 58% of never-married girls, and 57% of never-married boys are virgins.


"I'm kinda surprised," said Dien-Hart, "When I was in high school, most of my friends weren't."

Lagerhausen agreed, "I have younger siblings, all girls, and the majority of the things they say when they come home is that all their friends are sexually active."

While young people find the study surprising, Dr. Pam Mullarkey finds it encouraging. "Our kids are smart. They want what's best for their life. They just don't know how to do it," she said.

As founder and CEO of Project SOS, Dr. Mullarkey and her staff teach kids self respect, and how to say no to all risky behaviors, from drugs to sex. The program is abstinence based. "It has nothing to do with religion," said Dr. Mullarkey, "It has to do with good health practices."

Project SOS mentor, Jeremy Spellman said, "The media wants to make them look like everybody's doing wrong, or everybody's getting involved in some negative behavior, when really its just an image a lot of kids are hiding behind."

Blame it on Hollywood, but the CDC says kids aren't as naughty as we think they are. Still, Dien-Hart and Lagerhausen are skeptical. "If it's true, it's good news," said Lagerhausen.

According to the CDC, the numbers of sexually active teens has steadily declined 1988. And the main reason kids are giving for not having sex is their morals.

Sex isn't the only thing kids are abstaining from these days. According to Project SOS, drug and alcohol rates are down 28%. And juvenile crime is the lowest its been in ten years.

While the numbers are encouraging, Project SOS, a non-profit organization, is losing more than a half million dollars worth of federal funding. It's now hoping local donations will help keep it afloat.

To read the complete CDC study, click on www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_23/sr23_024.pdf.

And for more information about Project SOS, click on Project SOS - Home.

CDC: Most teenagers are virgins - FOX30Jax.com - WAWS FOX30

 

[katz4life]

That's some good (some good relief at the facts) news. Well, I see nobody else to say something positive about this?

 

[Jiro]

Love makes teen sex less academically harmful, study says

Atlanta, Georgia (CNN) -- Sexually active teens may face less academic risk if the sex is taking place within a romantic and committed relationship, according to a new study.

The authors say students who have sex only with romantic partners have generally similar academic outcomes as students who abstain from sex.

But students who describe their sexual activity in terms of "hook-ups," "friends with benefits" or "bed buddies" are more likely to suffer a negative impact on their education.

 

[rockin'robin]

I know my 16 and 14 yr. old boys are virgins....they've been educated at school and at home about STD's and AIDS....My 19 yr. old has been sexually active since age 17. His girlfriend at the time was 21 !! I was livid and called the girls parents and threatened to take the girl to court....since she was not on birth control!....But, luckyily, they broke up soon afterwards.

When a friend of mine, (her brother) in his late 30's had sex with a girl age 16, he was convicted and is labeled a sex offender.....even tho' the girl told him she was 18.....and another friend, her son, age 17, had sex with a girl age 16, and the parents took him to court. He has been in jail for several months, and is facing 4 years!....The lawyer fees are astounding! My friend is heart-broken over this about her son....but feels the lawyer will get him off on probation, but he will still be labeled as a "sex offender".....

My boys know the consequences....

 

[PowerON]

I would like to see more underage girl stay remind virgin, no matter, don't damage their life until they find right one to open their legs.

 

[rockin'robin]

I would like to see more underage girl stay remind virgin, no matter, don't damage their life until they find right one to open their legs.

So would I...but again, it takes 2 to tango....and peer pressure....I encourage my boys not to have a "steady girl"...to make as many friends as they can. I take them to the movies and pick them up, drop the girl off at her house. Keeping the boys interested in sports, hobbies, etc. They have plenty of time when they reach 21 to look for that "special girl"....

 

[KristinaB]

Both my kids are virgins and plan to remain so. Son has stated that he will wait until marriage if he even marries. Daughter refuses to think about marriage and refuses to think about sex.

 

[shel90]

I hope both my children remain virgins until they are adults cuz I dont want them to worry about sex and all that drama associated with it while in school.

 

[Frisky Feline]

I hope both my children remain virgins until they are adults cuz I dont want them to worry about sex and all that drama associated with it while in school.

Ditto.
and i prefer they can wait till after age 18 so i wouldn't have to deal with the other parents if it's involved with court.

 

[kokonut]

Gee, the last time I said it takes "two to tango" I got all kinds of flak.

Good to see that study.