SEXUALLY ACTIVE TEENS

Troubled Life of Sexually Active Teens

A little-discussed study by a professor at Indiana University reveals the hard lives of sexually active youth. Gary M. Ingersoll is a professor of counseling and educational psychology and director of the Center for Adolescent Studies at Indiana University Bloomington.

At a Kinsey Institute Interdisciplinary Seminar held January 21, 1998, Professor Ingersoll discussed his study of 240 pre- and early adolescents, ages 11 to 13, wherein he found that eight percent (8%) of the children have had sexual relations.

His study revealed that, among these sexually active youths, they were:

 * 7.5 times more likely to smoke cigarettes,
 * 10 times more likely to use alcohol,
 * 46 times more likely to use marijuana,
 * 34.5 times more likely to use other drugs,
 * 6 times more likely to have planned to drop out of school,
 * 54 times more likely to have been suspended from school,
 * 12 times more likely to have attempted suicide,
 * 3 times more likely to report a history of physical abuse, and
 * 19 times more likely to report a history of sexual abuse.

When asked, "What conclusions do you draw from this data?", Professor Ingersoll responded, "While this study does not demonstrate a causal relationship, the data offer a compelling picture that precocious initiation of sexual intercourse is part of a pattern of increased risky behaviors.

In other words, "Ignore that man behind the curtain!" No causal relationship? Please!