Yesterday, while browsing the health section of the New York Times, I came across an article titled, “Condom Use Is Highest for Young, Study Finds.” The headline alone reeled me in to read and review. Never once would I have guessed that my generation would be the leading demographic participating in safe sex.
According to Roni Rabin’s article, condom use has become the “norm for sexually active” teens of today. 75 percent of the 14-17 year-olds surveyed reported using condoms as compared to the 25 percent for all men involved in the analysis. On the contrary, well under half of the adults who participated in this survey stated that they used this contraceptive. Rabin quotes pediatrics professor Dr. J Fortenbeerry as stating that condoms have become an expected ingredient in the start of sexual activity among our youth. The act is likened to wearing a seatbelt when learning to drive a car--something considered mere protocol.
A follow up article was posted today, October 4th further illustrating the study taken. Today’s article was titled, “Researchers unveil biggest survey on sex in US since 1994” and penned by David Crary. Today’s article provided further statics regarding the survey used in Rabin’s write-up.
According to Crary, the sample of 57 teens used was strikingly lesser than the sample of thousands who participated in the “latest federal Youth Risk Behavior Survey last year, which calculated condom use among sexually active high school students at 61 percent.” Even though some may argue that the overall percentage in smaller, it is still shockingly evident that today’s youth takes safe sex more seriously. Researchers have grown distraught over evidence that the lowest condom usage rates were found in men above 50. Though these males are more likely to be married, 50+ men are revealed to be the most open to multiple sexual partners. Such statistics postulate an ultimate increase in disease rates. Furthermore, the study also showed that black and Hispanic men used condoms more than white men. Analysts claim this suggests that HIV-AIDS programs have been successfully infiltrated into “those communities, which have relatively high rates of the disease.”
I immediately began to rationalize these statistics. Perhaps the adults partaking in casual intercourse obtain birth control or utilize an alternative form of contraceptive? This idea was not made clear in either of the Times articles. I further postulated that “sexually active” adults might not view unplanned pregnancy as seriously detrimental to their lifestyle as a teen would. However, in hindsight, I think this hypothesis is a far cry from the truth. After all, a baby isn’t like a pet you can just get rid of when it becomes a chore.
It is my belief, that today’s teens are growing up in a more complicated society than their forefathers and not necessarily by choice. This pressure may stem from the state of college acceptance or, for that matter, what it takes to succeed nowadays. Teens are forced to take life seriously very early on. High school is no longer the last stop before adulthood. High School is now a time to look towards college, graduate school, and then opportunity to earn a living. Thus, it would stand to reason that youth take their personal sexual safety equally as serious. Per an article found on MSNBC.com, I discovered the federal government has recently voted to fund sex education programs which aren’t based solely on abstinence. Apparently, a “$375 million grant is being divided among 28 [previously successful] programs, … many [of which] distribute condoms, but about half also aim to boost teens' academics, get them involved in extracurricular activities and even improve their parents' job status.” Thank god we’ve finally acknowledged that today’s youth is sexually active and abstinence-only discussion is a waste of breath. How can you honestly tell young adults to stay away from sex when the media practically shoves it down our throats? It’s comforting to know that safe sex contraceptives will be the lesson of choice and it’s even better to know that our teens are listening. Perhaps this generation is not as ignorant and clueless as it is made out to seem.
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