Trends in Sexual Activity and Contraceptive Use among Teens. Child Trends Research Brief.

The current research and policy debate over why teen pregnancy and birth rates have declined in the 1990s has focused on whether increased abstinence or increased contraceptive use is primarily responsible. This research brief indicates that both factors appear to be contributing factors. It finds that: (1) the percentage of teens who reported ever having had sexual intercourse declined for both males and females from 1988 to 1995; (2) the majority of male and female sexually experienced teens had either 0 or 1 partner in the past year; and (3) the percentage of female teens who reported using any method of contraceptive at first sexual encounter increased between 1982 and 1995. On the other hand, the brief also notes less promising trends, including: (1) a decline in the percentage of female teens who report using any method of contraception at their most recent sex encounter; (2) an increase in the percentage of teens having sex before age 15; and (3) an increase risk for Hispanic teens of teen pregnancy. The proportion of Hispanic teens who are sexually experienced has increased, but they are the least likely to use any form of contraception at first sex encounter or most recent sex encounter. Finally, the brief highlights recommendations, including the following: (1) employ multiple strategies to reduce teen pregnancy; (2) support programs to increase involvement among males in decision-making about contraceptive use; (3) emphasize to teens the need to use contraception consistently; (4) develop strategies to discourage sex among young teens; and (5) target more programs specifically to address needs of different racial/ethnic and cultural groups. (Contains 11 references.) (EV)