Frustrating pundit-scolds all over the country, the CDC reports:
Monitoring sexual activity and contraceptive use among U.S. adolescents is important for understanding differences in their risk of pregnancy. In 2013, the U.S. birth rate for teenagers aged 15–19 dropped 57% from its peak in 1991, paralleling a decline in the teen pregnancy rate.
But… but… but… the culture! The sexting! The Internet! The twerking! The depravity!
More (emphasis mine):
The percentage of male and female teenagers who had sexual intercourse at least once has declined in the 25-year period of 1988 to 2013. This decline was greater for male teenagers than female teenagers. According to the most recent data from 2011–2013, by age 19, roughly two of three never-married teenagers have had sexual intercourse. The majority of male and female teenagers used a method of contraception at first sexual intercourse. The methods teenagers most often used were the condom, withdrawal, and the oral contraceptive pill. Female teenagers who used a method of contraception at first sexual intercourse were less likely to have had a birth in their teen years than those who did not use a method of contraception at first intercourse.
It’s so lazy to continue to pretend that the kids these days are just the worst. Or that boys are sex-crazed. Or that teaching kids about contraception is a bad idea. But, you know, keep on scolding I guess.
