With kids, there often tends to be a lot of misinformation floating around regarding sexual information and birth control — for both boys and girls. But even though some grownups don’t even know how to use a condom properly, more teen girls than ever are reportedly using their birth control consistently and responsibility.
Gold stars, ladies.
Bloomberg News reports that of girls aged 15 to 19, 57% are not having vaginal intercourse, which is up from 49% in 1995. A sizable 60% of those young ladies who are sexually actively are using highly effective forms of birth control like hormonal methods or even IUDs. Compare that to only 47% of sexually active teen girls in the 90s.
As we reported not too long, the teen birth rate is the lowest its ever been thanks to kids abstaining from sex and being more responsible about that birth control. Although condoms tend to be quite popular with teens — as well they should be — many kids still don’t use them consistently, which often accounts for error. Teenage boys may be more adamant about that condom use, but a large number of children of both genders still haven’t quite absorbed the vital message that if they’re going to have sex — protection is paramount to keeping them safe.