About AIDS

An interesting phenomenon is emerging in America's sexual environment, one that is both encouraging and puzzling because it is, at least on the surface, highly contradictory: Even though our culture is more highly sexualized than ever, the teen birth rate is lower than in 60 years, fewer high school guys are having sex, and the U.S. is on the verge of eliminating syphilis.

Recently, four Republican senators, including John McCain, complained officially to the Federal Communications Commission about graphic sexual depictions and vulgar dialogue on television, linking them to an epidemic of teenage pregnancy and STDs.

Then this month the CDC unveiled the latest data: The teen birth rate is lower than anytime since Ozzie and Harriet ruled TV, and high school males having sex fell during 1991-99 from 57% to 51%. Many would argue that the numbers are still too high, and I'd agree. But what's going on? Do media images matter?

The CDC decided to ask teens themselves. Sure, media/culture have impact, but the teenagers give credit to descriptive sex education classes and abstinence and safer-sex campaigns in helping them to postpone sex or play safe. More kids are educated about birth control, the benefits of postponing sex, and the need for safer sex. Sadly, parents providing sex guidance, while noted, was not at the top of the list.

ASA has always advocated a balanced approach to educating youth about sex and HIV in the hopes of reaching the most people possible: abstinence when possible and always use a condom when/if abstinence is left behind. Seems like it works.