The U.S. isn t Europe we all know that. But the values that underpin their systems rights, respect, responsibility are core American values, and they can provide the basis of a new paradigm of adolescent sexual health. Young people don t only need, but they have rights to, information that could protect their health and save their lives. Young people do have the responsibility to postpone early sexual involvement and to protect themselves and their partners when they do become sexually active. But responsibility is a two-way street.
Society needs to provide young people with the tools the information, health care, family support.
Parent-child communication about sex and discussion of values is critically important. And then there s respect. Young people deserve respect. Their value exceeds the sum of their risk factors. They re real people with real needs and something important to say.