According to The New York Times there isn't a sex epidmic among teens, and, what's more, most of the evidence for one is a function of poor contraception use; Tara Parker-Pope reports:
“There’s no doubt that the public perception is that things are getting worse, and that kids are having sex younger and are much wilder than they ever were,” said Kathleen A. Bogle, an assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice at La Salle University. “But when you look at the data, that’s not the case.”
The latest rise in teenage pregnancy rates is cause for concern. But it very likely reflects changing patterns in contraceptive use rather than a major change in sexual behavior.
Although the data is clear, health researchers say it is often hard to convince adults that most teenagers have healthy attitudes about sex.
“I give presentations nationwide where I’m showing people that the virginity rate in college is higher than you think and the number of partners is lower than you think and hooking up more often than not does not mean intercourse,” Dr. Bogle said. “But so many people think we’re morally in trouble, in a downward spiral and teens are out of control. It’s very difficult to convince people otherwise.”
Apparently, the good people at Good News Magazine didn't get the information. They seem focused on "Sexual Freedom's Terrible Cost." It is under that header that they place this information:
In June 2002 a 13-year-old sixth-grade girl who made good grades and led the cheerleading squad was strangled to death by a married man—one of many sexual partners she had met on the Internet (p. 163).
Yes, Good News Magazine, your blaming the victim has certainly convinced me!
They've lost the culture wars; they just don't know it yet.
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