Studies now show that "teen sex" has decreased within the past decade and the number continues to fall
[Reprinted with from MSNBC]

Sioux Falls, SD, Dec. 13 - According to the centers for disease control, the percentage of US high school students having sex fell from 54-percent to 46-percent.

It looks like South Dakota follows that trend as their stats have fallen as well.

Everybody talks about, but not everyone is doing it.

According to Kristen Stengel, "the guys they talk about it a lot, at least from my perspective. Guys talking about it and bragging but I know most of the time they do not really do as much as they say."

Some say it's because more and more high schools offer sex education. In fact, Lincoln high school provides two optional courses that talk about safe sex. Mrs. Wherkamp, a Lincoln high school sex education teacher, currently has sixty students in her class.

"I think it has made an impact although we impact a small amount because we only see so many kids in our classes but even if we touch a few, it helps," said Sandy Wherkamp.

But others disagree, although statistics show the number is decreasing, some say more can be done. "We have to do more in South Dakota, we have to make it like other places in the country like Ohio. It has got to be part of the curriculum in every single school," said Leslee Unruh, founder of abstinence clearinghouse.

Right now, Leslee visits schools in South Dakota each year promoting abstinence, not safe sex. "The truth is safe sex is a lie and kids need to hear the truth about what sexual activity will do to them emotionally and physically," adds Unruh.

But the students say it's the real-life stories that catch their attention about sex. In fact, fifteen-year-old Kayla Scott saw a graphic picture of an STD in class and was disgusted. "It gives you the chills up your spine to know somebody with an STD, Scott said.

For now, teachers will continue to inform teens about the facts hoping their lessons will help teens think twice before they have sex.

read article one I read article two I read article four I back to Articles