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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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10

Teen Sex: Everybody Else Isn't Doing It

Teen sex is on a downswing

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(Newser) – Kids these days, with their sex, their sex, and all their sex. Just look at Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin—it’s getting worse all the time, right? Nope. The portion of high-schoolers who’d had sex in 2007 was 47.8%, reports the New York Times—down from 54.1% in 1991. And the infamous oral sex epidemic? Only 16% of teenagers have had oral sex but not intercourse.

Of those teenagers who have had sex, a 2002 report suggests that they’re waiting until later in high school to do so. Though teen pregnancy is up, it’s due to changes in contraceptive use, not overall sexual activity. Everyone always thinks we’re in a downward moral spiral, says an NYU professor. “It’s very difficult to convince people otherwise.”

An image released by Fox Searchlight of the movie
An image released by Fox Searchlight of the movie "Juno." Though teen pregnancy is up, it's because of patterns in contraceptive use, not overall sexual behavior.   (AP Photo/Fox Searchlight Pictures, Doane Gregory)
Jamie Lynn Spears poses at the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party in Los Angeles in this Sept. 20, 2007, file photo.
Jamie Lynn Spears poses at the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party in Los Angeles in this Sept. 20, 2007, file photo.   (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file)
Actors Michael Cera, right, and Ellen Page are shown in scene from the film
Actors Michael Cera, right, and Ellen Page are shown in scene from the film "Juno". The film was nominated for an Oscar for best picture on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/Fox Searchlight, Doane Gregory)
Ellen Page in a scene from
Ellen Page in a scene from "Juno," which received three Oscar nominations including best film, best director, and best actress, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/Fox Searchlight, Doane Gregory)
This undated handout photo provided by Fox Searchlight shows Jennifer Garner, left, Jason Bateman, center, and Ellen Page during a scene from
This undated handout photo provided by Fox Searchlight shows Jennifer Garner, left, Jason Bateman, center, and Ellen Page during a scene from "Juno."   (AP Photo/Fox Searchlight)
Studies show that teen sex has decreased in recent years.
Studies show that teen sex has decreased in recent years.   (©PBoGS)
Studies show that teen sex is on a downswing, and adults are confused by the different dating habits of modern teens.
Studies show that teen sex is on a downswing, and adults are confused by the different dating habits of modern teens.   (©Ex-Smith)
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This whole moral panic thing misses the point, because research suggests kids who don’t use contraception tend to be kids who are feeling lost and disconnected and not doing well. - Maria Kefalas, associate professor of sociology at St. Joseph's University

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10 comments
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Thinker
Jan 27, 09 1:41 PM CST
I'm sorry, but the sources are not responsible. We're hearing from BUSH's Department of Health and Human Services (ideological and twists the truth) and a catholic university. Not reliable sources for this sort of information. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mr.C
Jan 27, 09 2:54 PM CST
bush does not run DoH like Murdoch runs newscorps
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IN RESPONSE:
PaleRider
Jan 27, 09 3:58 PM CST
What does this have to do with Bush, The Big O is in office man, anything that happens from here on in is all on him. After all, you voted him in to part the water and move the earth, surly a little PR spin wont get in his way.
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justme
Jan 27, 09 3:03 PM CST
Remember that this comes from the NY Times, one of the most anti-Bush publications. I think that if they are reporting this, it may have some value. Reply
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0
Collusive
Jan 27, 09 7:27 PM CST
well i can tell you as an american high schooler, this article is bullshit since i and millions of others answer these surveys falsely. Reply
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