Teenagers in the United States: Sexual Activity, Contraceptive Use and Childbearing

The report presents national estimates of sexual activity, contraceptive use and births among male and female teenagers 15 to 19 years old.

Published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics in June 2010, the report finds that over 42 percent of unmarried teenagers have had sex at least once in their lifetime. Teens’ use of contraceptives has changed little since 2002, the last time data were collected. Approximately 79 percent of females and 87 percent of males reported using some form of contraception during their first sexual intercourse. However, the rhythm method, or use of periodic abstinence, sharply increased. Seventeen percent of teens said they have ever used this method, up from 11 percent in 2002.

The report also measured teens’ attitudes toward childbearing. About 58 percent of unmarried females and 47 unmarried males reported that they would be “very upset” if they got pregnant, or got a partner pregnant. Approximately 71 percent of females and 64 percent of males said they “agree” or “strongly agree” that “it is okay for an unmarried female to have a child.”

Data were collected through in-person interviews conducted between July 2006 and December 2008. A total of 2,767 teenagers were interviewed.

Read the report (pdf).