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Maine Facts About Teens

Every teen in Maine is at risk for pregnancy and STDs

What is really going on in Maine? When it comes to the talking with their kids about risks associated with sex, many parents feel as if they're in it alone. You're not alone - and you can make a difference. What parents say matters. Start by talking with your pre-teens and teens about the real risks they face by not waiting. Here are some facts for your next conversation.

Maine Teens and Sex
By The Numbers

12 percent of middle schoolers have had sex

45 percent of high schoolers have had sex

1 in 5 teens have needed a treatment for an STD

1,100 babies are born to girls aged 15-19 each year

32 percent of middle schoolers have talked to their parents about sex in the last 6 months
(This number has decreased significantly since 2005)

42 percent of high schoolers have talked to their parents about sex in the last 6 months
(This number has decreased significantly since 2005)

Abstinence Among Teens

How Much Control Do You Have?

Parents intellectually believe they do matter and can make a difference – although a lot of the time it feels like you’re in it alone.

Have conversations at least once a month – more than you might think. This guards against the teenage phenomenon of “selective hearing.”

87% of middle school students feel like their parents really care about them, and help and support when they need it most or all of the time.

Ask them to wait. They just might listen.

Less than half of high schoolers have had sex.

Talk early, talk often, be clear, and be honest. Don’t wait until it’s too late. It’s awkward, but you need to talk about it.

1 of 5 kids have had sex by age 15.

Too often, parents wait until a life-changing event to talk to their kid about sex. This may be too late.

Every teen is at risk for pregnancy and STDs.

Abstinence needs to be part of every conversation about sex.
Source:
"Maine YRBS, Moving Towards a Healthier Maine, Health Risk Behaviors among Maine Youth, Results of the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Grades 7 – 12," prepared by Pan Atlantic SMS Group, Portland, Maine. This report, the individual behavioral fact sheets, and the middle school and high school highlights can be accessed at the following website: www.mainecshp.com. Additional interactive YRBS data can be found on The Center for Disease Control’s website at www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/yrbs.

Perception vs. Fact

Based on surveys done in 2003/2004:

What parents think and what kids say

13% of High School parents believe that their child has had sex
43% of students have had sex

30% reality gap - 30% of all parents are most likely wrong
70% of parents whose teens are having sex may be totally unaware of their child's behavior

7% of parents believe that their child has had sex in the past three months
31% of high school students have had sex in the past three months

24% reality gap - 24% of all parents are most likely wrong
78% of parents whose child has had sex in the past three months are most likely unaware of it

84% of parents think they’re having serious conversations with their teen about sex
56% of kids think they’re having serious conversations

28% reality gap – nearly half of all parents may be wrong
1 in 4 may be wrong
Sources:
“Health Risk Behaviors Among Maine Youth, Results of the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Grades 7-12,” Prepared by Pan Atlantic Consultants, Portland, ME.
“Strategic Marketing Services Presentation to the Maine CDC and Ethos Marketing and Design- July 14, 2004.”

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