They have begun to promote abstinence in direct opposition to peer pressure that promotes having sex. I m gonna start spreading the word around you know. Experts say the message is already getting around. According to the Medical Institute, an estimated fifty percent of high school students have not had sex, and the number is rising. The CDC reports that of teens who have had intercourse, at least one time, approximately 25 percent are currently abstinent.
Many teens say that practicing abstinence is hard at first.
In a sense it was, but in another sense it was very easy, says nineteen year old Margaret. If you live a pure lifestyle, you get so many more benefits. Although positive peer pressure may be the best way to fight teen sex, experts say that parents play a key role too. You definitely want your child to know what your values are, and you can say what your values are , says Dr. Bob Kleemeier, psychologist. There is a lot of sex education information available for young people about how to avoid pregnancy with condoms and pills.