A federal study found that 1 in 4 American teen girls has contracted an STD. The study surveyed 838 girls and found alarming results.
Of these girls studied 26% had an STD. This number translates to 3 million nationwide according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The teens were tested for four different sexually transmitted diseases, 18% has HPV, 2% herpes, 4% chlamydia, and 2.5% has trichomoniasis. The teens were not tested for anything other diseases like AIDS or HIV.
This data is incredibly scary. STD's are taking over the youth and the $1.5 billion programs by the government that teach teens about safe sex and planned parenthood are almost worthless.
The study also found that some teens think that douching with coca-cola will cure STD's and other bizarre ideas of safe sex were found.
Not to even mention that 15% teen birth increase, this could be a national epidemic. Teens are having promiscuous sex and the girls seem to be more affected than males.
It's really sad to think about all the young lives that are dealing with these diseases, some of which are not curable. I really do have some blame towards the media for making sex more common in teen shows and movies. I also think the parents should be drilling safe sex and abstinence into these kids brains. Parents need to have more control on the lives of their vulnerable children.
The government needs to step it up with more programs that like the article said should inform these kids on every stage of their young life, year after year.
This study shows little hope of the future for safe sex. I can't imagine what these numbers could be when I have kids. This effects the nation so much because so many people are having children or do and it is up to them to really play a role in saving their kids from having one of these diseases.
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2 comments:
This is a great subject. I was a little taken aback by the grammer, though, and suggest more proof reading. I agree with your sentiments, that we need more programs that teach safe sex, as opposed to abstinence only programs. As a parent though I would never be scared for the safety of my children based on what gov. programs are available to teach them about safe sex, that's practically irresponsible. I am the one who needs to teach them how to be responsible teenagers who can become responsible adults.
I don't have any children myself, so I can only speak from my experience as a teenager. Personally, I wasn't allowed to date until I was 17 (a bit over the top for my parents, but it did help me practice abstinence.)
I can only hope that involving myself in my child's life will create a trust and faith that might make them heed my sage advice.
We do know teens have hormones that become hard to ignore, but it can be done (remember, didn't date until 17- I consider myself an expert in this regard.) Perhaps practicing self-control needs to be encouraged and imbedded into their little heads at a younger age. Once they understand just what the concept means and the rewards that come with the waiting, well, then maybe we will see a decrease in those discouraging numbers. Until then, I am praying to have boys.
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