Sexually Aware, American Teens Are Not Rushing To Do It Like Their Parents

Contrary to popular perception, American teens are not in a rush to have sex. New data from the Center for Disease Control reveals a big decline in the number of teens having sex.

The National Center on Health Statistics conducted a data brief and found that the percentage of American male teenagers aged 15-19 years who experienced sex during 2011-13 declined by 22 percent from 25 years ago. The percentage declined by 14 percent for female teenagers. Between 2011 and 2013 about 44 percent of girls and 47 percent of boys had experienced sexual intercourse.

The decline could be attributed to the growing awareness about sex, STIs and pregnancy experts believe. The Internet has helped present day teens to garner sexual awareness and education which was not easily available two decades ago.

"They're looking on the web. They're looking for guidance from parents, guardians and physicians. They can and will make positive decisions for their own health, both sexual and otherwise. We really need to be prepared to treat our youth and young adults as educated consumers," Dr. Brooke Bokor told The Washington Post.

The data brief also found that around 69 percent of American teenage males and females have experienced sexual intercourse by the time they turn 19. Boys however are more likely to experience sex than their female peers in early teen years, the survey found.