In 2009, only 46% of high school students reported ever having had sexual intercourse.
In 2009, 32% of 9th-grade students reported ever having had sexual intercourse, compared with 62% of 12th-grade students.
Early sexual activity is associated with emotional and physical health risks such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs, including HIV, can infect a person for a lifetime and have consequences including disability and early death.
Meanwhile, delaying sexual initiation is associated with a decrease in the number of lifetime sexual partners, and decreasing the number of lifetime partners is associated with a decrease in the rate of STIs.
Additionally, teen pregnancy is associated with a number of negative risk factors, not only for the mother but also for her child.
The report "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being: 2011" has current data about "Sexual Activity".
You may find it helpful to read the chapter “Restoring Sexual Integrity” in our book “How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy“.
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