It’s Not My Kid

Sexual intercourse puts adolescents at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STD), including infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and pregnancy. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) has been used since 1990 to track the prevalence of all sorts of behaviors amongst adolescents that may create health risks. Sponsored by the CDC it consists of an anonymous questionnaire that addresses health issues such as diet, exercise, smoking, drug and alcohol use, weapon availability, seatbelt use and sexual behaviors.

The YRBSS data from 2001 found that 46% of high school students in the United States have had sexual intercourse. 33% have had sex within the past three months.14% of students have had intercourse with 4 or more partners. Of the students who were currently sexually active 58% used a condom. 18% reported that either they or their partner used birth control pills. Of note the survey asks only about sexual intercourse and not about other sexual behaviors such as oral sex. 10% of female students reported forced sexual intercourse.

Adolescents need to have accurate information about the consequences of sexual activity, what constitutes sexual activity and be given concrete ways to avoid becoming sexually active. If an adolescent has chosen to become sexually active they must be aware of how to avoid pregnancy and decrease their risk of acquiring a STD.

Given the YRBSS data one would think that most parents would agree with the last paragraph and be eager to provide their children with age appropriate information and guidance. I see many parents who are interested in educating their children about sexual issues but there are others who are afflicted with what I call the "It’s not my kid" syndrome.

The "It’s not my kid" syndrome occurs in parents who are aware of the issue of teenage sexuality but who are convinced it does not apply to their child. Parents make statements such as he/she is not like that, he/she is not ready to hear about sexuality. A 1999 Kaiser family foundation survey found that 56% of teenagers would keep information about their sex lives from their parents……because by telling their parents this would "go against their idea of who I am" or their parents are "too old to understand."

When deciding what or when to educate your children about sexual issues keep in mind that a sexually active girl who uses no contraception has about a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within a year. Teens also consistently underestimate their chances of contracting STDs. They will assume that "he or she is not that type of girl/boy." STDs don’t discriminate among nice and not nice kids. Males and females with an STD often don’t have symptoms or knowledge of their disease but the consequences of STDs can be devastating.

My next few columns will be devoted to issues that affect adolescent health and well being. Parents may find these articles useful to share with adolescents or simply to educate themselves about issues affecting their children.