Teens and Sex : OC HIGH / STUDENT NEWS AND VIEWS
- Share via
Americans who think teens account for most out-of-wedlock births and unplanned pregnancies are wrong, according to a report released recently by the Alan Guttmacher Institute. Teens account for only 30% of all out-of-wedlock births, shows the Guttmacher report. And while 85% of teen births are unplanned, 55% of births by older women also are unplanned.
The report also found that rather than climbing, the pregnancy rate among sexually experienced teen-agers fell 19% between 1972 and 1990.
The institute, an affiliate of Planned Parenthood, said two-thirds of today’s sexually active teen-agers used some method of contraception the first time they had intercourse. And at least 70% continue to use contraception regularly.
The study also reported that 70% of all teens--male or female--are still virgins by their 16th birthday, and 18% remain virgins until at least their 20th birthday.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
