Sexual Risk Behaviors

From a kiss to sexual intercourse, most people experience a range of sexual behaviors for the first time during the teenage years. Although much of [Page 1981]this behavior is common and could even be described as typical and normative (or even healthy), the early onset of sexual intercourse and the inconsistent or absent use of condoms or other contraceptives may lead to increase the of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease or infection (STD/STI). For example, about one in four U.S. teenagers contracts an STD/STI each year. In 2013, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that youth aged 15–24 years accounted for almost one half of new infections annually. Moreover, sexual behavior, when onset is early, causes concern because young people may ...