The Shocking Numbers

The level of premarital sexual activity in Western nations is extraordinary. Establishing exact data can be elusive, but one report states that the "median age of first intercourse for American boys [is] 15.5" and "for American girls [it is] 16" (S.I. McMillen, M.D., and David Stern, M.D., None of These Diseases, 2000, p. 141).

Circumstances are similar in Britain, where "the average age for both sexes to lose their virginity is 16" (The Observer, Dec. 2, 2001).

Premarital sexual activity among French girls is also extremely high. "Whereas it used to be the case that for 50 per cent of French women their first sexual partner would be the man they would marry, by the 1990s it was only true for 10 per cent" (Angus McLaren, Twentieth-Century Sexuality: A History, 1999, p. 212).

Although these figures are bad enough, even more shocking is the rampant promiscuity among so many. For example, among Britain's 16- to 24-year-olds, "19.7 percent of men and 14.6 percent of women have already had 10 or more partners" (The Guardian, Nov. 30, 2001).

Young people in the Philippines also at risk
A study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute showed that in a study group of almost 20,000 young people 15 to 24 years old, 23 per cent have had premarital sex. A study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute showed that in a study group of almost 20,000 young people 15 to 24 years old, 23 per cent have had premarital sex. Among respondents who ever had premarital sex, 35 per cent have had more than one premarital sex partner, 38 per cent used condoms during their last premarital sex, and 10 per cent have paid for sex. Among respondents who ever had premarital sex, 35 per cent have had more than one premarital sex partner, 38 per cent used condoms during their last premarital sex, and 10 per cent have paid for sex.
The study also found that young people engage in other high-risk behaviours, such as drinking alcoholic beverages (70 per cent of respondents) and using prohibited drugs (11 per cent of respondents) at least once. The study also found that young people engage in other high-risk behaviors, such as drinking alcoholic beverages (70 per cent of respondents) and using prohibited drugs (11 per cent of respondents) at least once.
The study further showed that young people are alarmingly lacking in correct information about HIV/AIDS: only 19 per cent of the study group could identify correct ways of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV; 28 per cent think that AIDS is curable; and 73 per cent believe they had no chance of contracting HIV. The study further showed that young people are alarmingly lacking in correct information about HIV / AIDS: only 19 per cent of the study group could identify correct ways of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV; 28 per cent think that AIDS is curable; and 73 per cent believe they had no chance of contracting HIV.