Adolescent sexuality

Adolescent sexuality refers to sexual feelings, behavior and development in adolescents and is a stage of
human sexuality. Sexuality and sexual desire usually begins to intensify along with the onset of puberty.
The expression of sexual desire among adolescents (or anyone, for that matter), might be influenced by
family values and the culture and religion they have grown up in (or as a backlash to such), social
engineering, social control, taboos, and other kinds of social mores.
Teenage couples at a fair in the American West.
In contemporary society, adolescents also face some risks as their sexuality begins to transform. Whilst
some of these such as emotional distress (fear of abuse or exploitation) and sexually transmitted diseases
(including HIV/AIDS) may not necessarily be inherent to adolescence, others such as pregnancy
(through non-use or failure of contraceptives) are seen as social problems in most western societies. In
terms of sexual identity, while all sexual orientations found in adults are also represented among
adolescents, statistically the suicide rate amongst LGBT adolescents is up to four times higher than that
of their heterosexual peers.[45]
According to anthropologist Margaret Mead and psychologist Albert Bandura, the turmoil found in
adolescence in Western society has a cultural rather than a physical cause; they reported that societies
where young women engaged in free sexual activity had no such adolescent turmoil.
In a 2008 study conducted by YouGov for Channel 4, 20% of 14−17-year-olds surveyed revealed that
they had their first sexual experience at 13 or under.[46] Another study from 2002 found that those aged
15–44 reported that the average age of first sexual intercourse was 17.0 for males and 17.3 for
females.[47]
The age of consent to sexual activity varies widely between international jurisdictions, ranging from 12
to 21 years.[48]

Adolescent sexuality refers to sexual feelings, behavior and development in adolescents and is a stage
of human sexuality. Sexuality is often a vital aspect of teenagers' lives.[1] The sexual behavior of
adolescents is, in most cases, influenced by their culture's norms and mores, their sexual orientation, and
the issues of social control such as age of consent laws.
In humans, mature sexual desire usually begins to appear with the onset of puberty. Sexual expression
can take the form of masturbation or sex with a partner. Sexual interests among adolescents, like adults,
can vary greatly. Sexual activity in general is associated with a number of risks, including sexually
transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS) and unwanted pregnancy. This is considered particularly
true for young adolescents, as adolescents' brains are not neurally mature (several brain regions in the
frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex and in the hypothalamus important for self control, delayed
gratification, and risk analysis and appreciation are not fully mature until ages 25-30). Partially because
of this, most adolescents are deemed less emotionally mature[2] and are not financially self-sufficient.
Contents

1 Adolescent sexual behavior

o 1.1 Prevalence of sexually-experienced 15-year-olds
o 1.2 In the United States

1
 2 Media influence
o 2.1 In Britain
o 2.2 In Canada
o 2.3 In India
3 Teenage pregnancy
4 Legal aspects of adolescent sexual activity
5 Sex education
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

Adolescent sexual behavior

Prevalence of sexually-experienced 15-year-olds

Country Boys (%) Girls (%)

Austria 21.7 17.9
Canada 24.1 23.9
Croatia 21.9 8.2
England 34.9 39.9
Estonia 18.8 14.1
Finland 23.1 32.7
Belgium 24.6 23
France 25.1 17.7
Greece 32.5 9.5
Hungary 25 16.3
Israel 31 8.2
Latvia 19.2 12.4
Lithuania 24.4 9.2
Macedonia 34.2 2.7
Netherlands 23.3 20.5
Poland 20.5 9.3
Portugal 29.2 19.1
Scotland 32.1 34.1
Slovenia 45.2 23.1
Spain 17.2 13.9
Sweden 24.6 29.9
Switzerland 24.1 20.3
Ukraine 47.1 24
Wales 27.3 38.5

Prevalence of sexually-experienced 15-year-olds

In 2002, an international survey was conducted, with the aim of studying the sexual behavior of
teenagers. 33,943 students aged 15, from 24 countries, completed a self-administered, anonymous,

2
classroom survey, consisting of a standard questionnaire, developed by the HBSC (Health Behaviour in
School- aged Children) international research network. The survey revealed that the majority of the
students were still virgins (they had no experience of sexual intercourse), and, among those who were
sexually active, the majority (82%) used contraception.[3]
In the United States
Main article: Adolescent sexuality in the United States
Changes in the expression of adolescent sexuality in the United States find their origins in the sexual
revolution and was the focus of the "culture wars". The U.S. federal government policy under George W.
Bush emphasized sexual abstinence or chastity, particularly in sex education with a focus on abstinence-
only sex education rather than the harm reduction approach of the safe sex focus. It extended this
approach to foreign policy, using foreign aid to pressure NGO's into ending condom education in third-
world countries. There is an ongoing debate between those advocating comprehensive, medically
accurate sex education and those seeing anything other than abstinence-based education as opposed to
"the values held by most Americans".[4]
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the year 2007, fewer than half of all
US high school students have had sexual intercourse. In that year, 47.8% of US high school students
reported that they had ever had sexual intercourse. This number has shown a downward trend since 1991,
when the figure was 54.1%.[5] According to a survey commissioned by NBC News and People magazine,
the vast majority of 13- to 16-year-olds, 87%, report that they have not had sexual intercourse, and 73%
report having not been sexually intimate at all. Three quarters of them say they have not because they
feel they are too young, and just as many say they have made a conscious decision not to.[6]
The same survey found that, while only 27% of 13- to 16-year-olds had been involved in intimate or
sexual activity, 8% had had a casual sexual relationship,[6] which has been described by one journalist as
a "profound shift in the culture of high school dating and sex".[7] In his book, Why Gender Matters,
researcher Leonard Sax states that teenage sexual encounters are increasingly taking place outside the
context of romantic relationships, in purely sexual "hookups".[8]
In 2002, the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health reported a "dramatic trend toward the
early initiation of sex".[9] According to the American Academy of Pediatrics "early sexual intercourse
among American adolescents represents a major public health problem. Although early sexual activity
may be caused by a variety of factors, the media are believed to play a significant role. U.S. teens rank
the media second only to school sex education programs as a leading source of information about
sex".[10]
The US teen pregnancy rate is higher than in many other developed countries.[11] After declining steadily
since 1991, the teen pregnancy rate rose 3% in 2006, to 41.9 births per 1,000. This followed a 14-year
downward trend in which the teen birth rate fell by 34% from its 1991 peak of 61.8 births per 1,000.[12]
Public health officials express concerns that STIs and risky behaviors that include "anything but
intercourse" are "rampant" among teens.[4] Of the 18.9 million new cases of STIs each year, 9.1 million
(48%) occur among 15- to 24-year-olds, even though this age group represents only one-quarter of the
sexually active population.[11] According to a 2008 study by the CDC, an estimated 1 in 4 teen girls has
at least one STI at any given time.[13]
Increasing rates of oral sex among teens have been reported. However a study released in 2008 by the
Guttmacher Institute found that, while oral sex is slightly more common than vaginal sex among teens,

3
the prevalence of oral sex among teen opposite-sex partners has held steady for the last decade.[14]
According to the study, slightly more than half (55%) of 15– to 19-year-olds have engaged in
heterosexual oral sex, 50% have engaged in vaginal sex and 11% have had anal sex.
Among sexually active 15- to 19-year-olds, 83% of females and 91% of males reported using at least
one method of birth control during last intercourse.[15] The most common methods of contraception are
condoms and birth control pills. In 2007, 61.5% of high school students reported using a condom the last
time they had sexual intercourse, up from 46% in 1991.[5]
The CDC also tracks the percentage of students who say they used drugs or alcohol before sex. While
this risk behavior increased between 1991 and 2001, the trend has been declining since then. [5] In 2007,
22.5% of high school students reported this risk behavior, down from 25.6% in 2001.[5]
Most teenagers (70%) reported that they received some or a lot of information about sex and sexual
relationships from their parents. Other sources of information included friends at 53%, school, also at
53%, TV and movies at 51% and magazines at 34%. School and magazines were said to be used as
sources of information more by girls than by boys, and sexually active teens were more likely to cite
their friends and partners as information sources.[6]
In the US, 431 schools in fifty districts (0.35% of all districts and 2.2% of all high schools nationwide)
have established school-based condom availability programs. These programs involve condom
distribution, condom-use education and information, peer support, sex and STDs education within the
curriculum, and involvement of parents, staff, partnerships, and health care providers. Studies have
shown that condom availability programs in high schools may lower the risk of HIV, STDs, and teen
pregnancy. In all schools, condom use increased while sexual behaviour remained the same among high
school students following the implementation of condom availability programs.[16][17][18][19]
Media influence
Teen sexuality is influenced by the mass media today more than any other time in history.[20] Internet,
television, music video and sexually explicit lyrics all contribute to adolescents’ attitudes and behavior
concerning sexual activity. Only 9% of the sex scenes on 1,300 of cable network programming discusses
and deals with the negative consequences of sexual behavior.[21] The Internet and the anonymity therein
allows adolescents real concerns relating to false information on health issues, sexuality, and sexual
violence in the world of intimate sexual relationships.[22]
In Britain
See also: Teenage pregnancy and sexual health in the United Kingdom
In 2006, a survey conducted by The Observer showed that most adolescents in Britain were waiting
longer to have sexual intercourse than they were only a few years earlier. In 2002, 32% of teens were
having sex before the age of 16; in 2006 it was only 20%. The average age a teen lost his/her virginity
was 17.13 years in 2002; in 2006, it was 17.44 years on average for girls and 18.06 for boys. The most
notable drop among teens who reported having sex was 14 and 15 year olds.[23]
A 2008 survey conducted by YouGov for Channel 4 showed that 40% of all 14-17 year olds are sexually
active, 74% of sexually active 14-17 year-olds have had a sexual experience, and 6% of teens would
wait until marriage before having sex.[24]
Of Western European countries, Britain has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy and sexually
transmitted infections are on the increase.[25] One in nine sexually active teens has chlamydia and

4
790,000 teens have sexually transmitted infections. In 2006 The Independent newspaper reported that
the biggest rise in sexually transmitted infections was in syphilis, which rose by more than 20 per cent,
while increases were also seen in cases of genital warts and herpes.[26]
In Canada
One group of Canadian researchers found a relationship between self esteem and sexual activity. They
found that students, especially girls, who were verbally abused by teachers or rejected by their peers
were more likely than other students to engage in sex by the end of the Grade 7. The researchers
speculate that low self esteem increases the likelihood of sexual activity: "low self-esteem seemed to
explain the link between peer rejection and early sex. Girls with a poor self-image may see sex as a way
to become 'popular', according to the researchers".[27]
In India
In India there is growing evidence that adolescents are becoming more sexually active outside of
marriage. It is feared that this will lead to an increase in spread of HIV/AIDS among adolescents,
increase the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions, and give rise to conflict between
contemporary social values. Adolescents have relatively poor access to health care and education. With
cultural norms opposing extramarital sexual behavior "these implications may acquire threatening
dimensions for the society and the nation".[28]
Motivation and frequency
Sexual relationships outside marriage are not uncommon among teenage boys and girls in India. By far,
the best predictor of whether or not a girl would be having sex is if her friends were engaging in the
same activities. For those girls whose friends were having a physical relationship with a boy, 84.4%
were engaging in the same behavior. Only 24.8% of girls whose friends were not having a physical
relationship had one themselves. In urban areas, 25.2% of girls have had intercourse and in rural areas
20.9% have. Better indicators of whether or not girls were having sex were their employment and school
status. Girls who were not attending school were 14.2% (17.4% v. 31.6%) more likely and girls who
were employed were 14.4%(36.0% v. 21.6%) more likely to be having sex.[28]
In the Indian sociocultural milieu girls have less access to parental love, schools, opportunities for self
development and freedom of movement than boys do. It has been argued that they may rebel against this
lack of access or seek out affection through physical relationships with boys. While the data reflects
trends to support this theory, it is inconclusive.[28] The freedom to communicate with adolescent boys
was restricted for girls regardless of whether they lived in an urban or rural setting, and regardless of
whether they went to school or not. More urban girls than rural girls discussed sex with their friends.
Those who did not may have felt "the subject of sexuality in itself is considered an 'adult issue' and a
taboo or it may be that some respondents were wary of revealing such personal information."[29]
Contraceptive use
Among Indian girls, "misconceptions about sex, sexuality and sexual health were large. However,
adolescents having sex relationships were somewhat better informed about the sources of spread of
STDs and HIV/AIDS."[28] While 40.0% of sexually active girls were aware that condoms could help
prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and reduce the likelihood of pregnancy, only 10.5% used a condom
during the last time they had intercourse.[28]

5
Teenage pregnancy
Main article: Teenage pregnancy
Adolescent girls become fertile following the menarche (first menstrual period), which occurs in the
United States at an average age of 12.5, although it can vary widely between different girls. After
menarche, sexual intercourse (especially without contraception) can lead to pregnancy. The pregnant
teenager may then miscarry, have an abortion, or carry the child to full term.
Pregnant teenagers face many of the same obstetrics issues as women in their 20s and 30s. However,
there are additional medical concerns for younger mothers, particularly those under 15 and those living
in developing countries; for example, obstetric fistula is a particular issue for very young mothers in
poorer regions.[30] For mothers between 15 and 19, age in itself is not a risk factor, but additional risks
may be associated with socioeconomic factors; for example pregnant teenagers are less likely than
women over 20 to receive early prenatal care.[31]
Worldwide, rates of teenage births range widely. For example, sub-Saharan Africa has a high proportion
of teenage mothers whereas industrialized Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan have very low
rates.[32] Teenage pregnancy in developed countries is usually outside of marriage, and carries a social
stigma; teenage mothers and their children in developed countries show lower educational levels, higher
rates of poverty, and other poorer "life outcomes" compared with older mothers and their children.[33] In
the developing world, teenage pregnancy is usually within marriage and does not carry such a stigma.[34]
Legal aspects of adolescent sexual activity
Age of consent laws worldwide Main articles: Age of Consent and Marriageable age See also: Teen
marriage
Sexual conduct between adults and adolescents younger than the local age-of-consent is illegal, and in
some Muslim countries any kind of sexual activity outside marriage is prohibited. In many jurisdictions,
sexual intercourse between adolescents with a close age difference is not prohibited. Around the world,
the average age-of-consent is 16,[35] but this varies from being age 13 in Spain, age 16 across Canada,
and age 16-18 in the United States. In some jurisdictions, the age-of-consent for homosexual acts may
be different from that for heterosexual acts. The age-of-consent in a particular jurisdiction is typically
the same as the age of majority or several years younger. The age at which one can legally marry is also
sometimes different from the legal age-of-consent.
Sexual relations with a person under the age-of-consent are generally a criminal offense in the
jurisdiction in which the crime was committed, with punishments ranging from token fines to life
imprisonment. Many different terms exist for the charges laid and include statutory rape, illegal carnal
knowledge, or corruption of a minor. In some cases, sexual activity with someone above the legal age-
of-consent but beneath the age of majority can be punishable under laws against contributing to the
delinquency of a minor.
Sex education
Sex education, also called "Sexuality Education" or informally "Sex Ed" is a broad term used to
describe education about human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, human sexual
behavior, and other aspects of sexuality, such as body image, sexual orientation, dating, and
relationships. Common avenues for sex education are parents, caregivers, friends, school programs,
religious groups, popular media, and public health campaigns.

6
Sexual education in different countries varies. For example, in France sex education has been part of
school curricula since 1973. Schools are expected to provide 30 to 40 hours of sex education, and pass
out condoms to students in grades eight and nine. In January, 2000, the French government launched an
information campaign on contraception with TV and radio spots and the distribution of five million
leaflets on contraception to high school students.[36]
In Germany, sex education has been part of school curricula since 1970. Since 1992 sex education is by
law a governmental duty.[37] A survey by the World Health Organization concerning the habits of
European teenagers in 2006 revealed that German teenagers care about contraception. The birth rate
among 15 to 19-year-olds is 11.7 per 1000 population, compared to 2.9 per 1000 population in Korea,
and 55.6 per 1000 population in US.[38]
According to SIECUS, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, in most
families, parents are the primary sex educators of their adolescents. They found 93% of adults they
surveyed support sexuality education in high school and 84% support it in junior high school. [39] In fact,
88% of parents of junior high school students and 80% of parents of high school students believe that
sex education in school makes it easier for them to talk to their adolescents about sex.[40] Also, 92% of
adolescents report that they want both to talk to their parents about sex and to have comprehensive in-
school sex education.
Almost all U.S. students receive some form of sex education at least once between grades 7 and 12;
many schools begin addressing some topics as early as grade 5 or 6.[41] However, what students learn
varies widely, because curriculum decisions are quite decentralized.[42] Two main forms of sex
education are taught in American schools: comprehensive and abstinence-only. A 2002 study conducted
by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 58% of secondary school principals describe their sex
education curriculum as comprehensive, while 34% said their school's main message was abstinence-
only.[42] The difference between these two approaches, and their impact on teen behavior, remains a
controversial subject in the U.S.[43][44] Some studies have shown abstinence-only programs to have no
positive effects.[45] Other studies have shown specific programs to result in more than 2/3 of students
maintaining that they will remain abstinent until marriage months after completing such a program; [46]
such "virginity pledges," however, are statistically ineffective,[47][48] and over 95% of Americans do, in
fact, have sex before marriage.[49]
In Asia the state of sex education programs are at various stages of development. Indonesia, Mongolia,
South Korea and Sri Lanka have a systematic policy framework for teaching about sex within schools.
Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand have assessed adolescent reproductive health needs with a view
to developing adolescent-specific training, messages and materials. India has programs that specifically
aim at school children at the age group of nine to sixteen years. These are included as subjects in the
curriculum and generally involved open and frank interaction with the teachers. Bangladesh, Nepal and
Pakistan have no coordinated sex education programs.[50]
References

1. ^ Ponton, Lynn (2000). The Sex Lives of Teenagers. New York: Dutton. p. 2. ISBN 0-452-
28260-8.
2. ^ John R. Chapman (2000). "Adolescent sex and mass media: a developmental approach.".
Adolescence Winter (140): 799–811. PMID 11214217.
3. ^ [1]

7
4. ^ a b Anna Mulrine. "Risky Business" (PDF). U.S. News & World Report (May 27, 2002).
http://www.guttmacher.org/media/pdf/news2002/0528_clip.pdf.
5. ^ a b c d "Trends in the Prevalence of Sexual Behaviors" (PDF). The National Youth Risk
Behavior Survey (YRBS) 1991-2007. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2007.
http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/pdf/yrbs07_us_sexual_behaviors_trend.pdf. Retrieved
2008-07-02.
6. ^ a b c Katie Couric (2005). "Nearly 3 in 10 young teens 'sexually active'". MSNBC.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6839072. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
7. ^ Alexandra Hall. "The Mating Habits of the Suburban High School Teenager". Boston
Magazine (May 2003).
8. ^ Sax, M.D., Ph.D, Leonard (2005). Why Gender Matters. Doubleday. p. 132. ISBN 0-385-
51073-X. http://www.whygendermatters.com.
9. ^ Adolescent Sexual Behavior and Sexual Health, Renee E. Sieving, Jennifer A. Oliphant, and
Robert Wm. Blum, Pediatrics in Review 2002 23: 407-416.
10. ^ Sexuality, Contraception, and the Media, PEDIATRICS Vol. 107 No. 1 January 2001, pp. 191-
194
11. ^ a b "Facts on American Teens' Sexual and Reproductive Health". Guttmacher Institute.
September 2006. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_ATSRH.html. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
12. ^ National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007-12-05).
"Teen Birth Rate Rises for First Time in 15 Years". Press release.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/07newsreleases/teenbirth.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
13. ^ US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008-03-11). "Nationally Representative CDC
Study Finds 1 in 4 Teenage Girls Has a Sexually Transmitted Disease". Press release.
http://www.cdc.gov/STDConference/2008/media/release-11march2008.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-
03.
14. ^ Duberstein Lindberg, Laura; Rachel Jones, John S. Santelli. "Non-coital sexual activities
among adolescents" (PDF). Guttmacher Institute.
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/JAH_Lindberg.pdf. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
15. ^ "Sexual Health Statistics for Teenagers and Young Adults in the United States" (PDF). Kaiser
Family Foundation. September 2006. http://www.kff.org/womenshealth/upload/3040-03.pdf.
Retrieved 2008-07-02.
16. ^ Furstenberg, F. F., Geitz, L. M., Teitler, J.O., & Weiss, C. C. (1997). Does condom availability
make a difference? An Evaluation of Philadelphia’s health resource centers. Family Planning
Perspectives, 29, 123-127.
17. ^ Guttmacher, S., Lieberman, L., Ward, D., Freudenberg, N., Radosh, A., & Jarlais, D. D. (1997).
Condom availability in New York City public high schools: relationships to condom use and
sexual behaviour. American Journal of Public Health, 87, 1427-1433.
18. ^ Schuster, M. A., Bell, R. M., Berry S. H., & Kanouse, D. E. (1998). Impact of a high school
condom availability program on sexual attitudes and behaviours. Family Planning Perspectives,
30, 67-88.
19. ^ Blake, S. M., Ledsky, R., Goodenow, C., Sawyer, R., Lohmann, D., & Windsor, R. (2003).
Condom availability programs in Massachusetts high schools: relationships with condom use and
sexual behaviour. American Journal of Public Health, 93, 955-962.
20. ^ Brown, Jane D. (2002). "Mass media influences on sexuality". Journal of Sex Research.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2372/is_1_39/ai_87080439/. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
21. ^ Pawlowski,Cheryl.,PH d. Glued to the Tube., Sourcebooks, INC., Naperville,Il.2000.

8
22. ^ Subrahmanyam, Kaveri., Greenfield, Patricia,M., Tynes, Brendesha. The Internet Influences
Teen Sexual Attitudes. Teen Sexuality:Opposing Viewpoints 2006.
23. ^ Denis Campbell (January 22, 2006). "No sex please until we're at least 17 years old, we're
British". The Observer.
24. ^ "Teen Sex Survey". Channel 4. 2008. http://sexperienceuk.channel4.com/teen-sex-survey.
Retrieved 2008-09-11.
25. ^ Christine Webber, psychotherapist and Dr David Delvin (2005). "Talking to pre-adolescent
children about sex". Broaching the subject. Net Doctor.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relationships/facts/childrenandsex.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-17.
26. ^ Jonathan Thompson (November 12, 2006). "New safe sex ads target teens 'on the pull'". The
Independent.
27. ^ Peer rejection tied to early sex in pre-teens
28. ^ a b c d e R.S.Goya, Indian Institute of Health Management Research, Jaipur, India. "Socio-
psychological Constructs of Premarital Sex Behavior among Adolescent Girls in India" (pdf).
Abstract. Princeton University.
http://iussp2005.princeton.edu/download.aspx?submissionId=50332. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
29. ^ Dhoundiyal Manju & Venkatesh Renuka (2006). "Knowledge regarding human sexuality
among adolescent girls". The Indian Journal of Pediatrics 73 (8): 743. doi:10.1007/BF02898460.
http://www.ijppediatricsindia.org/article.asp?issn=0019-
5456;year=2006;volume=73;issue=8;spage=743;epage=743;aulast=Dhoundiyal.
30. ^ Pregnancy and childbirth are leading causes of death in teenage girls in developing countries
31. ^ Makinson, C. (1985). The health consequences of teenage fertility. Family Planning
Perspectives, 17 (3), 132-9. Retrieved May 29, 2006.
32. ^ Indicator: Births per 1000 women (15-19 ys) – 2002 UNFPA, State of World Population 2003,
Retrieved 22 January 2007.
33. ^ The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. (2002). Not Just Another Single Issue:
Teen Pregnancy Prevention's Link to Other Critical Social IssuesPDF (58.5 KB). Retrieved May
27, 2006.
34. ^ Population Council (2006)Unexplored Elements of Adolescence in the Developing World
Population Briefs, January 2006, Vol. 12, No. 1. Retrieved April 18, 2007.
35. ^ [2]
36. ^ Britain: Sex Education Under Fire UNESCO Courier
37. ^ Sexualaufklärung in Europa (German)
38. ^ http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/repcard3e.pdf
39. ^ SIECUS Report of Public Support of Sexuality Education(1999)SIECUS Report Online
40. ^ Sex Education in America.(Washington, DC: National Public Radio, Henry J. Kaiser Family
Foundation, and Kennedy School of Government, 2004), p. 5.
41. ^ "Sexuality Education in Fifth and Sixth Grades in U.S. Public Schools, 1999". Family
Planning Perspectices 32 (5). September/October 2000.
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3221200.html. Retrieved 2007-05-23.
42. ^ a b "Sex Education in the U.S.: Policy and Politics" (PDF). Issue Update. Kaiser Family
Foundation. October 2002. http://www.kff.org/youthhivstds/upload/Sex-Education-in-the-U-S-
Policy-and-Politics.pdf. Retrieved 2007-05-23.
43. ^ Hauser, Debra (2004). "Five Years of Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Education: Assessing
the Impact". Advocates for Youth.
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/stateevaluations/index.htm. Retrieved 2007-05-23.

9
 44. ^ National Abstinence Education Association (2007-04-13). "Mathematica Findings Too
Narrow". Press release.
http://www.abstinenceassociation.org/newsroom/pr_041307_mathematica.html. Retrieved 2007-
05-25.
45. ^ Report: Abstinence Not Curbing Teen Sex
46. ^ Why Know Says They Are Effective In Increasing Teen Abstinence
47. ^ Bearman PS, Brückner H. Promising the future: virginity pledges and first intercourse.
American Journal of Sociology 2001; 106:859-912.
48. ^ Brückner H, Bearman PS. After the promise: the STI consequences of adolescent virginity
pledges. Journal of Adolescent Health 2005; 36:271-278.
49. ^ Finer L. Trends in premarital sex in the United States, 1954-2003. Public Health Reports, 2007;
23: 73.
50. ^ Adolescents In Changing Times: Issues And Perspectives For Adolescent Reproductive Health
In The ESCAP Region United Nations Social and Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Taken from: http://www.rampantteen.com/Adolescent_sexuality/encyclopedia.htm

10