In light of last week’s blogs, I want to share with you this article from the National Abstinence Education Association. Raising the bar does work…just like we are learning from our Lifeguards!  We will be walking in the Holy Spirit…you can be world changers.  Good for you!!

Most Teens Not Having Sex – Numbers Moving in Right Direction: CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey ReportsWashington, DC (June 13, 2014) 

Yesterday, the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention released the 2013 results of the biennial survey that identifies health behaviors of youth, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The YRBS tracks six health-risk behaviors, including sexual behaviors, among high school students throughout the United States.

In the arena of sexual activity, teens continue to make better choices than many would expect. Most teens have never had sex, which is an optimistic sign.  The percent of students who have ever had sex has slightly decreased since 2011, and the trends for much of teen sexual activity has moved in the right direction since the YRBS began in 1991.

Behavior                                         1991(%)     2011(%)     2013(%)      Percentage Change since 1991
Ever had sex                                    54.1          47.4            46.8             -13%
Currently sexually active                  37.5          33.7            34.0             -9%
Had 4 or more lifetime partners       18.7          15.3            15.0             -20%
Had sex before 13                           10.2            6.2              5.6             -45%
Used condom at last sex                 46.2          60.2            59.1             +28% 
 
Valerie Huber, President of the NAEA, responded to the results: “We are encouraged that teens continue to make healthy sexual decisions, even in the midst of an overwhelmingly sexualized culture. For example, the percent of high schoolers who have had sex has decreased more than 13% since 1991 – a very promising sign.  Although far too many adults and sexual education classes normalize teen sexual experimentation, fortunately, many teens are choosing a healthier choice. Condom use at last intercourse has increased 28% since 1991, yet STDs among sexually active teens have also increased during this same time period, calling into question the wisdom of the current overemphasis on ‘contraception’ versus sexual delay. Waiting for sex is the only safe choice and the data shows that although more teens are waiting for sex – those who are sexually active are at great risk. Federal sex education policy needs an immediate course correction because less than 20% of all federal sex education programs teach a clear risk avoidance “abstinence ”message.”
 
Read the entire CDC 2013 YRBS report here.

NAEA is a professional association representing organizations and individuals who support a priority on risk avoidance through abstinence education. NAEA members serve almost 2 million students each year. For more information, visit the NAEA website:www.theNAEA.org and www.abstinenceworks.org.

I’m praying for you, parents and teens.  Keep looking to Him above the waves!

My love,