Do you care if your child texts while driving, wears a seat belt, rides in a car where the driver has been drinking alcohol, drives a car while drinking alcohol, is involved in dating violence, smokes cigarettes, binge drinks, uses pot, considers suicide, engages in physical fighting?”
Well, according to a recent National Centers for Disease Control study called “Sexual Identity, Sex of Sexual Contacts, and Health-Related Behaviors Among Students in Grades 9-12,” students who had never had sex were also the ones who were far more likely to avoid all sorts of devastating risky behaviors. These teens consistently rated significantly higher in making healthy choices when compared to their sexually active peers.
Of course there will be those who ask the proverbial question, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Or in this case, was it avoiding sex that led to saying no to alcohol or did saying no to alcohol lead to avoiding sex?
The data shown in this major national survey of adolescents cannot scientifically demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship, but a very strong association is clear.
Compare the correlation rates among students who answered they either:
1. Had sexual contact with the opposite sex
2. Had sexual contact with the same sex or with both sexes
3. Never had sexual contact
Time and time again, the students who have not had sex are the same students who consistently make wise choices to avoid other risky behaviors.
The following are just a few of the long list of risky behaviors covered in the CDCs national survey:
Rarely or never do I use seatbelts
• 7.3% of students who had sexual contact with only the opposite sex (or 143% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 12.5% of students who had sexual contact with only the same sex or with both sexes (or 317% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 3.0% of students who have had no sexual contact
Rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol
• 25.4% of students who had sexual contact with only the opposite sex (or 94% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 28.1% of students who had sexual contact with only the same sex or with both sexes (or 115% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 13.1% of students who have had no sexual contact
Drove while drinking alcohol
• 11.0% of the students who had sexual contact with only the opposite sex (or 424% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 13.9% of the students who had sexual contact with only the same sex or with both sexes (or 562% more than those who have never had sexual contact)
• 2.1% of the students who have had no sexual contact
Texted or emailed while driving
• 53.7% of students who had sexual contact with only the opposite sex (or 124% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 43.5% of students who had sexual contact with only the same sex or with both sexes (or 81% more than those who have never had sexual contact)
• 24.0% of students who have had no sexual contact
Been in a physical fight
• 30.1% of students who had sexual contact with only the opposite sex (or 133% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 37.0% of students who had sexual contact with only the same sex or with both sexes (or 187% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 12.9% of students who have had no sexual contact
Experienced physical dating violence
• 10.8% of students who had sexual contact with only the opposite sex (or 260% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 23.5% of students who had sexual contact with only the same sex or with both sexes (or 683% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 3.0% of students who have had no sexual contact
Felt sad or hopeless
• 32.9% of students who had sexual contact with only the opposite sex (or 48% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 62.7% of students who had sexual contact with only the same sex or with both sexes (or 181% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 22.3% of students who have had no sexual contact
Considered attempting suicide
• 19.7% of students who had sexual contact with only the opposite sex (or 64% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 44.5% of students who had sexual contact with only the same sex or with both sexes (or 271% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 12.0% of students who have had no sexual contact
Currently uses cigarettes
• 16.3% of students who had sexual contact with only the opposite sex (or 394% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 26.6% of students who had sexual contact with only the same sex or with both sexes (or 706% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 3.3% of students who have had no sexual contact
Currently uses alcohol
• 48.2% of students who had sexual contact with only the opposite sex (or 219% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 53.7% of students who had sexual contact with only the same sex or with both sexes (or 256% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 15.1% of students who have had no sexual contact
Currently uses marijuana
• 32.7% of students who had sexual contact with only the opposite sex (or 336% more likely to currently use than those who have never had sexual contact)
• 43.7%of students who had sexual contact with only the same sex or with both sexes (or 483% more than those who never had sexual contact)
• 7.5% of students who have had no sexual contact
And the list from the survey goes on and on and on . . .
When young people develop the self-discipline to save sex for marriage – that same strong character will empower them to make wise, healthy choices and avoid risky behaviors. Thus, preventing the domino effect. In other words – setting high standards in such a key component of a person’s life, allows them the ability to avoid the consequences that so often cause serious stumbling blocks and resulting in destroyed dreams and goals.
How fortunate are young people who have parents, family members, friends, teachers, school administrators and mentors who believe in them enough to cheer them on in this exciting journey called life.
Perhaps this information will make for great dinnertime conversation tonight. And make sure you tell your children the CDC study also stated:
59% of High School Student have NEVER had sex!
In other words –
Most teenagers today are virgins.
Spread the word!
Oh, and for any who have already had sex –
it’s never too late to start over!
www.aimforsuccess.org. Used by permission.