Teenagers make up one-third of the U.S. population, but they carry 50 percent of STDs (
CDC).
According to the World Health Organization (
WHO),
chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are the top 3 STIs teens and young adults become infected with and they are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.
Syphilis is even becoming a problem among babies in the womb and newborns as the
CDC recently reported that
congenital syphilis, that which is transmitted via an infected mother's placenta,
is on the rise with an increase of about 40% since 2012. Congenital syphilis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight and death shortly after birth. Babies who manage to escape these outcomes are likely to have
brain and nerve problems, deformed bones, and severe anemia, among other issues.
What Can Parents Do?
Parents should teach their kids to be aware that
not only can sex result in STIs and pregnancy, but teen sex has also been linked to depression, antisocial behavior, delinquency, substance abuse.
Despite what seems to be popular opinion, teens and kids actually want to hear what their parents have to say about the important matters in their lives.
They want guidance and direction and most importantly, they want to know that someone, especially parents, care for their well-being.
When kids understand there are good reasons to delay sexual acitivity, they are more likely to be abstinent.
For more information
For our children and teenagers to have the best chance of avoiding early sexual debut, school sexual education programs must be in line with the research that shows abstinence is best for teens. However, organized efforts are being made all over the country to get comprehensive sexual education in our kids' schools.
These programs promote teen sexual activity and have even been referred to as "How-To Sex Manuals." Please watch the short 2 min video below for more info.
|
