Sexual Activity and Youth

Sexual activity among youth can bring with it serious consequences. Because of its
inherent risks, and its links with other unhealthy risk behaviors, IYD promotes a message
of complete youth risk avoidance for sex. This message is consistent with IYD’s com-
prehensive risk avoidance messages for all unhealthy behaviors, that also include alcohol,
drugs, tobacco, and violence.

Prevalence of sexual activity among youth

Unfortunately, the long-term trends in sexual activity among youth until recently
have not been promising – the rates of sexual activity have climbed steadily for over two
decades, though the latest data gives us hope. About 20 percent more males and females
are having sex today by the age
of 18 than were in the early Trends in Sexual Intercourse
1970s.1 Very few young Girls, Ages 15-19
adolescents are sexually active,
but as age increases so does the
risk of engaging in sexual
activity. About 10 percent of
12 year olds, 40 percent of 16
year olds, and about 80 percent
of 19 year olds have had sex.2

However, despite these

sobering statistics, the data
must also be put into per-
spective in light of recent
findings.∗ Although sexual
activity among adolescents
increased in the 1970s and
1980s. The trend in the 1990s
Source: National Survey of Family Growth, National Center for
is decreasing sexual activity Health Statistics
according to the Centers for

∗
Statistics from different sources may vary due to a multitude of factors, including differing methods of
data collection; choices of age ranges and time periods; measurements of perception versus actual partici-
pation; reporting by rates or actual numbers; and definitions of participation. Through this overview of
statistics, IYD hopes to provide the reader with a comprehensive picture of youth risk behaviors, recogniz-
ing that some specific statistics may seem to indicate inconsistent trends or levels of participation.
Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS).
Most recent data shows that in grades 9 through 12, the percentage of girls who have had
sex dropped from 50.8 percent in 1990 to 47.7 percent in 1997. For boys, the figure
dropped from 57.4 percent in 1991 to 48.8 percent in 1997.3 It is interesting to note that
this decrease in sexual activity has been accompanied by a decrease in the teen birth rate.

Overall, about half of both boys and girls ages 15 to 19 have not had sex. The Na-
tional Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (known as Add Health), a federally spon-
sored study of more than 90,000 teens, found 83 percent of junior high and 50.7 percent
of high school students reported they had never had sex.4

First participation – trends and implications

Adolescents who initiate health-risk behaviors such as sexual intercourse and sub-
stance abuse at an early age frequently have poorer health later in life, lower educational
attainment and less economic productivity than their peers. Early initiation of these be-
haviors is associated with
longer periods of risk taking
Sexual Onset Increases with Age in later adolescence and
Virgin Non-virgin early adulthood, and also
may be a marker for risk
taking in adulthood.5
9
While reports show
10 overall youth participation
Grade

in sexual activity to be
11
decreasing, levels of early
participation in sexual
intercourse is vital to an
12 understanding of youth and
risk behavior.
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
The age difference
Source: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance – United States, 1997 between adolescent girls
and their first sex partners is
related to their own age at
first sex; the younger a girl is when she has sex for the first time, the greater the average
age difference between her and her partner. Additionally, the greater the age difference
between an adolescent girl and her first sex partner, the more partners she is likely to
have during her teen years. And the greater the age difference between an adolescent girl
and her first sex partner, the less likely she is to use contraception and the more likely she
is to give birth while a teen.

Non-voluntary first sex is particularly common among very young girls. Among
girls who had sex before age 13, nearly a quarter (22 percent) reported that first sex was
non-voluntary and an additional 49 percent categorized it as unwanted. These figures de-
cline among those whose first sex occurred at later ages.6

2
 According to the 1997 YRBS report, 7.2 percent of students nationwide had initiated
sexual intercourse before age 13. That is the lowest percentage of youth initiating sex be-
fore age 13 in six years, based on YRBS data. It represents a decrease from 10.2 percent
in 1991 to 9.0 percent in 1995. Overall, male students (9.4 percent) were significantly
more likely than female students (4.5 percent) to have initiated early sex.7

Studies show that the number of lifetime sexual partners for both males and females
is directly related the age of first intercourse. Young people who participate in first inter-
course before age 14 are significantly more likely to have more lifetime sexual partners.
Fifty-seven percent of girls who initiate sex before age 14 report six or more lifetime
partners compared to 10 percent of girls who initiate sex at age 17 or older. Likewise, 74
percent of boys who initiate sex before age 14 report six or more lifetime partners com-
pared to 10 percent of boys who initiate sex at age 17 or older.8 These statistics are espe-
cially troubling given data that shows those who have had a greater number of sexual
partners are at greater risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or HIV.9

The consequences of sexual activity

Teenage sexual activity brings with it serious consequences, including unintended
pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and emotional stress.

Adolescents are at a higher risk for acquiring STDs for several reasons: they are
more likely to have multiple partners, to engage in intercourse without contraception, and
to select partners at higher risk.10 Also, younger women are biologically more suscepti-
ble to infections than older women.11 Every year three million teenagers, which is about
one-fourth of teenagers who have had sex (at least once), acquire an STD.12 In fact, HIV
infection is the sixth leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds.13

Thirty years ago there were only two common and easily treated STDs. Today there
are more than 20 prevalent STDs.14 A report by the Institute of Medicine referred to
STDs as a “hidden epidemic” because of people’s reluctance to discuss them and because
many are without symptoms. Some STDs affecting many in the general population in-
clude chlamydia (4 million cases), gonorrhea (800,000 cases), human papillomavirus
(500,000-1 million cases), genital herpes (200,000-500,000 cases), AIDS (80,000 cases)
and hepatitis B (53,000 cases).15

Another serious consequence of adolescent sexual activity is pregnancy. About one

million teenage women become pregnant each year. Older teenagers who are poor or
black are more likely to become pregnant than those who are young, white or have a
higher income.16

The number of unintended teen pregnancies has been decreasing recently. The teen
birthrate dropped from 62.1 births per 1,000 teens in 1991 to 56.9 births per 1,000 teens
in 1995.17 However, the birthrate of those who were sexually experienced actually rose
during the same time period, indicating that abstinence was the main contributor to the
overall decrease.

3
 While the physical consequences of early sexual involvement can pose serious risk,
the emotional toll of sexual involvement cannot be overlooked. The Alan Guttmacher In-
stitute writes, “Having sex can engender a sense of shame or guilt; push a couple apart;
raise unrealistic expectations of further commitment and marriage; or be a form of
abuse.”18

Youth perceptions about sex

A recent survey of youth by the Kaiser Foundation found that slightly less than half
of teens think they have about the same
amount of sexual experience as their Students who report
peers. More than one third (35 percent) that within their group, it’s
feel they don’t have as much sexual
a “good thing” to remain a virgin
experience as their friends. The report
stated: “The data show they have more
experience on average, than what they 100
think is typical for their group of
friends. Yet, they feel they’re ‘behind.’ 75
Until they actually have sexual
intercourse, many teens feel less
50
experienced than their friends. Teen
girls, even after they’ve had intercourse,
are as apt to feel less experienced as 25

they are to feel more experienced than

their friends.”19 0
irls
13-14 15-16 17-18 Boys G

Despite continuing education and Source: Teens Talk About Dating, Intimacy, and Their
Sexual Experiences, Kaiser Family Foundation
efforts to inform adolescents of the
health risks and consequences of sexual
activity, many sexually active teens do not consider themselves to be at risk for STDs or
pregnancy. In the Who’s Who Among American High School Students survey, almost
half of sexually active teens believe their personal risk of contracting AIDS is zero, while
37 percent of sexually active teens believe their chances are low. Out of students who
have had more than five sex partners, 55 percent believe their chances of acquiring
HIV/AIDS is low. Almost half of those surveyed believe their or their partner’s risk of
pregnancy is low while about 14 percent believe there is no risk at all.20

Other research has revealed many of today’s teens support the decision to remain a
virgin. Forty-four percent of teens (ages 13 to 18) say they have made a conscious deci-
sion to delay intercourse, and most (74 percent) say their peer group considers this deci-
sion to be a positive choice.21

Characteristics of sexually active youth

Various characteristics make adolescents more or less likely to engage in sexual ac-
tivity during their teen years. The Add Health study reports that students are less likely
to have an early onset of sexual intercourse if they appear “younger” than peers, are re-
ligious, make a pledge of sexual abstinence, or have a higher grade point average.22

4
 Younger males are more likely than younger females to engage in sexual activity. At
age 13, just over 1 in 10 males and only 1 in 50 females are sexually experienced. How-
ever, by age 20, there is less discrepancy in the numbers and about 3 in 4 females and 4
out of 5 males are sexually experienced.23 The onset of sexual activity increases with age,
with males reporting earlier sexual activity. The proportion of teen males who report
having sex is roughly equal to the number of sexually experienced females who are one
year older.24

African-Americans report earlier sexual activity than whites or Hispanics. By the

age of 16.5 approximately half of black women have had sex, about one year earlier than
the same percentage of white and Hispanic women report sexual onset. For African-
American males, about half have had sex by age 15, almost two years sooner than their
white and Hispanic male counterparts.

Adolescents in families with lower incomes (below $20,000) have sex four to six
months earlier than those from higher income families.25 Teens living in the South and in
rural areas, and those whose parents receive welfare, are more likely to have sexual expe-
rience. Adolescents who perceive they will die young or who feel attracted to someone
of the same sex have a
higher risk of early (hetero- Protective factors Risk factors
sexual) sexual intercourse. for early sexual onset for early sexual onset
Other factors that place a
teen at greater risk of sexual • Perceived parent • Perceived risk of
activity include working at a disapproval of untimely death
paid job more than 20 hours adolescent sex • Paid work more
per week, having low • Parent/family than 20 hours per
grades, and appearing connectedness week
“older” than their peers.26
• Religious identity • Appears “older
• Pledge of virginity than most” peers
The impact of parents
• High grade point • Same sex attraction
and family on sexual average • Recent family
activity in youth • Appears “younger suicide attempts/
A positive family rela- than most” peers completions
tionship cannot be underes- • School connect-
timated as a primary factor edness
that protects adolescents • Parochial school
from engaging in sexual be- attendance
havior. The Add Health
study found the more con- Source: The National Longitudinal
Study of Adolescent Health
nected teenagers felt to their
parents and family, the less likely they were to participate in early sexual activity. Youth
who perceived that their parents disapproved of adolescent sex and adolescent contracep-
tive use were more likely to delay sexual debut. Also, parents can positively influence

5
Source: Pediatrics, Vol. 87, No. 2

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the sexual behavior choices of their children by being home at key points of the day, con-
veying high expectations for school, and instilling in their children a sense of belonging
and self worth.27

Communication between parents and children is vitally important. “Clearly sexual

promiscuity and high risk behavior can be reduced significantly if parents talk to their
children about sex,” said Paul Krouse, publisher of Who’s Who Among American High
School Students. Of students whose parents forbid them to have sex, most (88 percent)
have never had sexual intercourse. In comparison, of those students who said their par-
ents don’t care if they have sex, more than half (52 percent) have engaged in sex.28

Parents who clearly communicate to their child the importance of delaying sex can
help reduce the risk that their child will engage in sexual activity. Adolescents who per-
ceive their parents’disapproving attitude towards early sex will be more likely to wait,
thereby protecting against risks of STDs and pregnancy.

Sexual activity and its link to other risk behaviors

Sexual activity has been found to be an indicator of a larger lifestyle pattern of un-
healthy risk behaviors, including using tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs, and being in-
volved in violence.

A study of youth ages 12 to 16 published in Pediatrics, found nonvirginal boys were

four times more likely to smoke and six times more likely to have ever used alcohol than
boys who were virgins. Nonvirginal girls faced the same risks: compared to virginal girls
they were seven times more likely to smoke and 10 times more likely to use marijuana.29

The researchers stated, “Our data confirm that drug use, sexual activity, and other
troublesome activities and feelings are common even among the youngest students. It
has been increasingly recognized that these behaviors are interrelated.” The report called
sexual activity a “significant associate of other health-endangering behaviors,” and it
found the older the adolescent the more likely sexual activity would be linked with alco-
hol or marijuana use. Sexual activity can be an indicator of substance abuse. Adoles-
cents who have three or more sexual partners in one year, are more likely to engage in
illicit drug use.30 The Alan Guttmacher Institute, in its report, Sex and America’s Teenag-
ers, stated that young teenagers who use alcohol, tobacco and marijuana on a regular ba-
sis are more likely to be having sex.31

Nationwide, among students who are currently sexually active, one-fourth reported
they had used alcohol or drugs at last sexual intercourse.32 Other research shows the
misuse of alcohol often results in an earlier onset of sexual activity.33 In fact, one survey
of teens (ages 13 to 18) found 17 percent of those who had an intimate one-on-one en-
counter with someone of the opposite sex admitted doing something sexual under the in-
fluence of drugs or alcohol that they would not have done if they had not been under that
influence. Among older girls (ages 17 to 18) who had had intimate encounters, 32 per-
cent said drugs or alcohol had influenced their decision to do something sexual.34
 A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study about cigarette smoking,
based on the data from the 1992 National Health Interview Survey of Youth Risk Be-
havior (NHIS-YRBS), found a relationship between smoking and sexual activity. Those
who were current smokers or former smokers were significantly more likely to have en-
gaged in sexual intercourse than youth who had never used cigarettes. Sexual activity
was reported by 80 percent of current smokers and 80.4 percent of former smokers com-
pared to sexual experience being reported by a minority (41.4 percent) of those who had
never smoked.35

Significant evidence exists revealing that adolescents who have violent lives are
likely to also be involved in sex and substance abuse. A study published in The Journal
of Adolescent Health reported that eight percent of all students were considered fighters
(those who had been in a fight in the last 30 days). However, those eight percent of stu-
dents accounted for 25 percent of those who had sex with multiple partners.36

The IYD approach

IYD promotes a comprehensive risk avoidance approach in regard to youth involve-
ment in sexual activity. The only 100 percent, risk-free decision, and therefore the
healthiest decision, is for youth to delay sexual activity – preferably until marriage. IYD
stresses the benefits of sex in a committed, faithful relationship – especially given the re-
search that has shown that those who are the most sexually satisfied are in a marriage
where both partners are faithful.37

In contrast to IYD’s risk avoidance message, many other sexuality messages focus
on risk reduction, by encouraging the use of condoms to reduce unintended pregnancy
and sexually transmitted diseases. While condoms may protect against some risks, they
do not provide totally effective protection against STDs or pregnancy – and they do
nothing to protect the emotional well-being of a young person.38 IYD’s sexual message
is consistent with all others who want young people to abstain from drinking, drug use,
smoking and violence.

For that reason, IYD promotes the best message for today’s youth: to lead a healthy
and happy life, young people should completely avoid early sexual activity.

Written by Kimberly Erickson.

Research and editorial assistance provided by Sarah Kinder.

Last updated October 1998.

To receive additional copies of this publication or a list of other IYD publications that
are available, please contact the Institute for Youth Development at 703/471-8750.

8
1
The Alan Guttmacher Institute. Sex and America’s teenagers. New York: The Institute; 1994.
2
Ibid.
3
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trends in sexual risk behaviors among high school students
— United States, 1991-1997. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 1998, September 18; 47(36).
4
Blum RW, Rinehart PM. Reducing the risk: Connections that make a difference in the lives of youth.
Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota.
5
Warren DW, Kann L, Small ML, Santelli JS, Collins JL, Kolbe LJ. Age of initiating selected health-risk
behaviors among high school students in the United States. Journal of Adolescent Health 1997; 21(4);
225-231.
6
Moore KA, Driscoll AK, Ooms T. Not just for girls: The role of boys and men in teen pregnancy preven-
tion. Washington, DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy; 1997.
7
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth risk behavior surveillance— United States, 1997.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 1998, August 14; 47(SS-3).
8
Issued by funding/sponsoring agency: Trends in the well-being of America’s children and youth: 1996.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and
Evaluation.
9
The Medical Institute for Sexual Health. The facts about the sexually transmitted disease epidemic. [Bro-
chure].
10
Division of STD Prevention. Sexually transmitted disease surveillance, 1996. U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
September 1997.
11
The Alan Guttmacher Institute. Sex and America’s teenagers. New York: The Institute; 1994.
12
The Alan Guttmacher Institute. Facts in brief. New York: The Institute; 1994.
13
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trends in sexual risk behaviors among high school students
— United States, 1991-1997. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 1998, September 18; 47(36).
14
The Alan Guttmacher Institute. Facts in brief. New York: The Institute; 1993.
15
Preventing STDs and Pregnancy. American Medical News. February 3, 1997.
16
The Alan Guttmacher Institute. Sex and America’s teenagers. New York: The Institute; 1994.
17
Sexual activity drops among teen-age girls. The Washington Post 1997 May 2; Sect A:1.
18
Ibid.
19
Kaiser Family Foundation. National survey of teens: Teens talk about dating, intimacy, and their sexual
experience. Menlo Park (CA): Kaiser Family Foundation, 1998.
20
Krouse P. Twenty-eighth annual survey of high achievers’ views on education, drugs, social and sexual
issues. Lake Forest (IL): Who’s who among American high school students; 1997.
21
Kaiser Family Foundation. National survey of teens: Teens talk about dating, intimacy, and their sexual
experience. Menlo Park (CA): Kaiser Family Foundation, 1998.
22
Blum RW, Rinehart PM. Reducing the risk: Connections that make a difference in the lives of youth.
Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota.
23
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Trends in the well-being of America’s children and
youth. Washington DC; HHS; 1996.
24
Ibid.
25
The Alan Guttmacher Institute. Facts in brief. New York: The Institute; 1994.
26
Blum RW, Rinehart PM. Reducing the risk: Connections that make a difference in the lives of youth.
Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota.
27
Ibid.
28
Krouse P. Twenty-eighth annual survey of high achievers’ views on education, drugs, social and sexual
issues. Lake Forest (IL): Who’s who among American high school students; 1997.
29
Orr DP, Beiter M, Ingersoll G. Premature sexual activity as an indicator of psychosocial risk. Pediatrics
1991 February; 87(2): 141-7.
30
Shrier LA, Emans SJ, Wood ER, DuRant RH. The association of sexual risk behaviors and problem drug
behaviors in high school students. J Adolesc Health 1997 May; 20(5): 377-83.
31
The Alan Guttmacher Institute. Sex and America’s teenagers. New York: The Institute; 1994.

9
32
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance – United States, 1997. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1998
August 14; 47(SS-3).
33
Fergusson DM, Lynskey MT. Alcohol misuse and adolescent sexual behaviors and risk taking. Pediat-
rics 1996 Jul; 98(1): 91-6.
34
Kaiser Family Foundation. National survey of teens: Teens talk about dating, intimacy, and their sexual
experience. Menlo Park (CA): Kaiser Family Foundation, 1998.
35
Willard JC, Schoenburn CA. Relationship between cigarette smoking and other unhealthy behaviors
among our nation’s youth: United States, 1992. Advance Data 1995 April 24; (263).
36
Sosin DM, Koepsell TD, Rivara FP, Mercy JA. Fighting as a marker for multiple problem behaviors in
adolescents. J Adolesc Health 1995 March; 16(3): 209-15.
37
Michael RT; Gagnon JH; Laumann EO; Kolata G. Sex in America: A definitive survey. New York:
Warner Books; 1994.
38
The Medical Institute for Sexual Health. “Condom sense” Is it enough? [Brochure] 1997

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