Facts

Since a lot of the debates surrounding reproductive health - abortion, birth control and STDs - are particularly concerned with youth and sexual behavior, cJ thought a separate fact page on teens and sex was in order.

Contraception use

What percent of teens used contraception the first time they had sex? (2002) (CDC)

females

• none: 25.5%
• condom: 66.4%
• pill: 16.5%
• withdrawal: 7.5%
• dual methods (condom and hormonal): 13.1%

males

• none: 18%
• condom: 70.9%
• pill: 14.9%
• withdrawal: 9.8%
• dual methods (condom and hormonal): 10.4%

What percent of teen females have used emergency contraception (such as Plan B)? (2002)

• 8.1%

Percent of teen females who had sex 3 months before the interview who used: (2002)

• condoms: 54.3% (up from 38.2% in '95)
• the pill: 34.2% (up from 25% in '95)
• two methods at the same time: 19.5% (up from 8.4% in '95)

How much sex?

Rates of sexual intercourse among teens (CDC - pdf) (2002)

What percent of teens (15-19) are having sex?

• 46% females (down from 49% in '95)
  • 30% ages 15-17 (down from 38% in '95)
  • 69% ages 18-19 (up from 68% in '95)
• 46% males (down from 55% in '95)
  • 31% ages 15-17 (down from 43% in '95)
  • 64% ages 18-19 (down from 75% in '95)

How many sexual partners do teenagers have?

Females ages 15-17

• 74% none
• 19% one
• 7% 2 to 3
• 1% 4 or more

Females ages 18-19

• 35% none
• 40% one
• 16% 2-3
• 8% 4 or more

31% of males ages 15-19 have two or more partners

Abortion and Minors

Of all abortions, how many are received by teenagers:

• 19% AGI

Number of states that require minors to receive permission from their parents, or to notify them, before having an abortion:

• 33 AGI

Percentage of minors who have abortions that tell their parents:

• 45% AGI

Rates and attitudes about teen pregnancy (CDC)

What percent of births were intended (or "happened at the right time")

• 29% of births to mothers ages 18-19 (compared to 76% of births to women ages 25-44)

Probabability of giving birth at age:

• 15: 1%
• 16: 2%
• 17: 4%
• 18: 9%
• 19: 13%
• 20: 18%

how many - ultimately - are having kids

Did we miss something, let some slant slip in, lose a link - or do you just have something to say? Drop a line below! In the spirit of open dialogue, cJ asks you keep it civil, keep it real and keep it focused on the message, not the messenger. See our policy page for more on what that all means.