National Decline since early 90s
Below you can clearly see the declining sexual activity rates amongst the nation’s teens. Notice that the decline starts at the same time abstinence education started making inroads into American culture and the largest gains were made after Abstinence education received Federal funding through Title V (1996). Teen intercourse rates have increased from the early 1970s (comprehensive/condom education introduced into public education) until 1991 (grass roots privately funded abstinence programs started in civic and public forums) with even steeper declines occurring from 1996 (Title V funding) onward.
Teen intercourse rates are now lower (as a percentage of teen population) than they were in 1976. Could a philosophy that states: “you’re going to have sex anyway so here is how you use a condom.” (Comprehensive sex Ed) be responsible for a decline in teen sexual activity?
This chart can be located from the following link. Which is, by the way, from the CDC. (Center for Disease Control) Additionally, all statistics and studies quoted on this site or from peer reviewed original sources.
United States Center for Disease Control National Youth Survey Data
Youth Online: Comprehensive Results
United States All Years
Percentage of students who ever had sexual intercourse
Variance: 95% Confidence Interval Standard Error None
UNITED STATES ALL YEARS
PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO EVER HAD SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY
|
|
Sex |
T otal |
F emale |
M ale |
|
Year |
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
46.8 (±3.3) |
45.7 (±3.6) |
47.9 (±3.4) |
|
2003 |
|
46.7 (±2.6) |
45.3 (±2.6) |
48.0 (±3.3) |
|
2001 |
|
45.6 (±2.3) |
42.9 (±2.8) |
48.5 (±2.7) |
|
1999 |
|
49.9 (±3.7) |
47.7 (±4.1) |
52.2 (±4.0) |
|
1997 |
|
48.4 (±3.1) |
47.7 (±3.7) |
48.9 (±3.4) |
|
1995 |
|
53.1 (±4.5) |
52.1 (±5.0) |
54.0 (±4.7) |
|
1993 |
|
53.0 (±2.7) |
50.2 (±2.5) |
55.6 (±3.5) |
|
1991 |
|
54.1 (±3.5) |
50.8 (±4.0) |
57.4 (±4.1) |
Abstinence Education is obviously a logical, medically accurate response to the problem of teen pregnancy, STDs, and sexual behavior. It is now validated by a decline in teen sexual behavior and several (over 12) peer reviewed studies (following)
