Teen Sexuality
Early sexual activity is associated with emotional and physical health risks. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and pregnancy are among the risks children take when they become sexually active. STIs can lead to disability and early death. Teen pregnancy is associated with long term difficulties for the mother as well as her child. The following charts illustrate the level of teen sexual activity in Pinellas County.
Of the high school students surveyed in the Pinellas County Schools 2006 Youth Risk Behavior Survey1, 6% reported having been pregnant or caused someone to become pregnant at least once; of those, 72% were either 16 or 17 years of age. And, although the number of these students was small (N = 80), there was a statistically significant difference between Whites and Non-Whites in pregnancy frequency.
|
Race |
Frequency of Pregnancy |
Total |
|||||||
|
Never |
Once |
Twice |
Not Sure |
||||||
|
n |
% |
n |
% |
n |
% |
n |
% |
||
|
White |
853 |
95% |
30 |
3% |
6 |
1% |
8 |
1% |
100% |
|
Non-White |
442 |
90% |
35 |
7% |
7 |
1% |
10 |
2% |
100% |
Male high school students reported that they had their first sexual activity or intercourse at a younger age than females; 35% of the young men reportedly had their first sexual activity at the age of 13 or younger which was approximately double the percentage of young women. The mean age of first sexual intercourse or activity was 14 for both boys and girls.
1 JWB Children’s Services Council of Pinellas County (2007). Pinellas County Schools 2006
2 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Report. Pinellas Park, Florida
Read More About It:
Child Trends: Examining the Rise in Teen Birth Rates
Kids Count Indicator Brief: Reducing the Teen Birth Rate
Funded Agencies:
- Family Service Center (FSC) – Sexual Assault Services
- Family Service Center (FSC) - Youth Intervention Services (formerly Juvenile Offender Services)
- City of St. Petersburg – TASCO Center Based Programs
- R’Club – HIP
- Sanderlin NFC BT2U