Raising children between the ages of 11-16 is one of the most challenging jobs on earth. This section is designed to help you cope, understand, and communicate more effectively with your teens and pre-teens.
You will find tips on relationships, dating, sexuality, friends, and personal growth and development from many quality sources and unique perspectives.
*PARENT ALERT*
Geauga County Teen Pregnancy Statistics
TPP surveys 5 Geauga school districts each year.
During our first 5 years the teen birth rate went down steadily, and age of first intercourse went up. Those numbers have stayed consistent UNTIL NOW.
FACTS:
- The average age of first intercourse for high school juniors has dropped below 15 ½ years old for the first time in 3 years.
- The number of sexually active students has climbed 2 of the past 3 years.
- In the last 2 years there were 17 reported Sexually Transmitted Diseases in our high schools, and 14 pregnancies.
- AND for students who choose to have sex, 44-60% (depending on the school) say that they regret their decision.
What parents need to know and COMMUNICATE:
- Only 48% of students nationally have had sex-It is NOT the norm.
- Over 9 million teens contract a sexually transmitted disease EACH year.
- At least TWO major STD’s can still be contracted when using a condom CORRECTLY.
- Most kids regret having sex (65% nationally) whether they get pregnant or not. Reasons: Relationship stress, reputation/rumors, and guilt/hurt in the top 3.
- Almost as many guys regret their decision as girls
- It’s not about ‘love’. Most teens have sex ‘to impress their friends’, to keep a boyfriend, curiosity, and peer pressure as the top 4.
Sexual decisions are about a lot more than using protection. Give your kids the whole story. |
Parent Quiz
“FACTS MATTER”
- Please mark each statement below as ‘true’ or ‘false’.
- Check out your score and the related facts below
- COMMUNICATE! Make sure your kids know you want only the BEST for them.
Questions
1) T F Less than half of all high school students (grade 9-12) in the U.S. have ever had sex
2) T F Most kids don’t regret their decision to have sex.
3) T F Sex is a good way for teens to make a relationships better or closer.
4) T F If you use contraception there are no risks to having sex as a teen.
5) T F Most teens choose to have sex because they are in love.
6) T F By the end of middle school only about 10 % of students have chosen to have sex.
7) T F In middle school, kids use parents as a primary source of sexuality information.
8) T F Abstinence is the only 100% guaranteed way to avoid unwanted pregnancy and STD’s.
9) T F Sexual choices now can affect your future marriage and relationships.
“FACTS MATTER”
Parent Factsheet
Less than half of all high school students (grade 9-12) in the U.S. have ever had sex:
TRUE . According to the annual National Youth Risk Behavior Survey 48% of high school students, nationally, have ever had sex. The number has been less than 50% since the early 1990’s.
Most kids don’t regret their decision to have sex:
FALSE. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy surveys over 100,000 youth every year. They state that 72% of girls and boys 55% regret the decision to have sex.
Sex is a good way for teens to make a relationship better or closer:
FALSE. The result is usually increased jealousy, possessiveness and control, or the main focus of the relationship being physical. Emotional and personal intimacy must take place first, and that takes a long time, and two mature people.
If you use contraception there are no risks to having sex as a teen:
FALSE. Many teens have physical consequences, but most regret their decision for emotional reasons, such as guilt or increased stress. Socially, such as reputation, rumors, or trust of parents.
Most teens choose to have sex because they are in love:
FALSE. Boys number one reason for their decision is to impress their friends. Girls’ is to save a relationship.
By the end of middle school only about 10 % of students have chosen to have sex:
TRUE. In Geauga County, about 5-8% of middle school students report having had sex. But middle school students think 35-50% of their peers have had sex.
In middle school, kids use parents as a primary source of sexuality information:
TRUE. Since 1996 the percentage increased. For 7th graders, 80% report parents as a primary source, 8th grade 75%. The standard parents set IS heard and acted on.
Abstinence is the only 100% guaranteed way to avoid unwanted pregnancy and STD’s:
TRUE: No contraceptive method is 100% safe from pregnancy or STDs. And none can protect your reputation, relationship or values.
Sexual choices now can affect your future marriage and relationships.
TRUE. Relationship habits form very early. When a physical relationship is substituted for communication, fun, or friendship, the chances of having meaningful and permanent relationships in the future decreases.
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