Have you noticed that there has been a decrease in teen pregnancies since 2013? There have been lowered rates of teenage pregnancies due to teenagers having less sex, teenagers effectively using contraceptives and teenagers who have decided to practice abstinence. Let’s take a closer look at each one of these reasons.
First, research is showing that teenagers are having less sex. Most public schools now require students to be enrolled in some form of sex education class during their high school years. Education of how pregnancy actually occurs has made teens think twice before having sex. Teenagers enjoy being involved in extracurricular activities such as sports and theater. Some have made the choice to discuss having less sex and participating in another type of activities. “According to the study, 42 percent of females aged 15 to 19 reported having had sexual intercourse, while 44 percent of males reported they’d had sexual intercourse. Comparatively, 51 percent of females and 60 percent of male teens reported they’d had sex in 1988.
“(Firger, Teens Today are Having Less Sex. But are Researchers asking The Right Questions) It seems that the more educated students are, in this area the less likely they are to have sex. Secondly, it has been noted that teenagers are more effectively using contraceptives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey in 2011 showed that over 47 percent of all high schoolers reported that they have had sex. It also reported that 15 percent of students have had sex with over four partners during their life. The students that were involved in the survey had sex in the three months leading up to the survey. The survey showed that 60 percent of the teenagers said that they used a condom.
It also stated that 23 percent of the high schoolers utilized the birth control pill.(NCSL) “The share of sexually active teen girls who have used emergency contraception (e.g.
, the morning-after pill) rose from 8% in 2002 to 22% in 2011-13.”(Patten, Why is the teen birth rate falling?) Lastly, teens have been practicing abstinence which has to lead to decreased pregnancies. “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.”(Martinez, Abma-NCHS) Teenagers are all aware that practicing abstinence with regards to sex is the only way that they won’t become pregnant. Various research has provided specifics reasons as to why abstinence is the best choice for teens.
The Catholic church preaches this during youth groups and during their masses. Some facts that have been provided to educate teens on the benefits of abstinence are that when they have sex with someone it can have psychological hardships, it helps teens to get to know their boundaries and abstinence can create a stronger relationship both emotionally and spiritually. Statistics show that teens who practice sexual abstinence are likely to do better in school. (Twice as likely to graduate from college than teens who do not practice abstinence).In the end, there is substantial evidence that clearly shows that teenage pregnancy is down since 2013.
Due to teenagers having less sex, more effectively using contraceptives and practicing abstinence are the three reasons that have been showcased above.
