THE TRUTH ABOUT SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND UNPLANNED PREGNANCY MARK J. KITTLESON, PH.D. Southern Illinois University General Editor WILLIAM KANE, PH.D. University of New Mexico Adviser RICHELLE RENNEGARBE, PH.D. McKendree College Adviser Elissa Howard-Barr Contributing Author The Truth About Sexual Behavior and Unplanned Pregnancy Written and developed by BOOK BUILDERS LLC Copyright ©2005 by BOOK BUILDERS LLC All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information contact: Facts On File, Inc. 132 West 31st Street New York NY 10001 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Kittleson, Mark J., 1952– The truth about sexual behavior and unplanned pregnancy / Mark J. Kittleson, William Kane, Richelle Rennegarbe. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 0-8160-5307-3 (hc: alk. paper) 1. Sex instruction for teenagers. 2. Teenagers—Sexual behavior. 3. Teenage pregnancy—Prevention. 4. Hygiene, Sexual. I. Kane, William, 1947– II. Rennegarbe, Richelle. III. Title. HQ35.K56 2005 306.7′0835—dc22 2004020019 Facts On File books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk quan- tities for businesses, associations, institutions, or sales promotions. Please call our Special Sales Department in New York at (212) 967-8800 or (800) 322-8755. You can find Facts On File on the World Wide Web at http://www.factsonfile.com. Text design by David Strelecky Cover design by Nora Wertz Graphs by Patricia Meschino and Dale Williams Printed in the United States of America MP Hermitage 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 This book is printed on acid-free paper. CONTENTS List of Illustrations v Preface vii How to Use This Book ix Risk Taking and Sexual Behavior 1 A to Z Entries 13 Abortion 15 Basics of Gender Identity, The 22 Biology and Sex 25 Community, Support from the 32 Conception, Pregnancy, and Childbirth 36 Contraceptives Involving Risk 45 Contraceptives: Practices Proven Safe 49 Dating 59 Drugs, Alcohol, and Sex 67 Media and Sex, The 73 Pregnancy and Childbirth, The Cost of 79 Pregnancy and Teenagers 84 Pregnancy, Prevention of 91 Relationships and Responsibilities 95 Sex and the Law 101 Sexual Arousal 111 Sexual Expression 114 Sexual Orientation 122 Sexual Response 126 Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) 130 Violence, Sexual 138 Hotlines and Help Sites 147 Glossary 153 Index 173 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AND TABLES Rates of Abortion and Maternal Deaths 19 Violence and Disruption against Abortion Providers 20 Women’s Nutritional Needs: Recommended Daily Allowances for Females, Ages 25–50 40 Effectiveness of Proven Contraception Methods 50 Percentage of Teens Who Used Safe Contraceptives, 2003 58 Physical Abuse by a Boyfriend or Girlfriend 67 Teen Sex and Alcohol or Drug Use 68 Self-Reported Teen Pregnancy Rates in 2003 87 Age of Consent by State 102 The Status of Same-Sex Marriages, 2004 105 State Laws on Abortion 108 Sexual Activity among U.S. High School Students 115 How People Identify Their Sexual Orientation 122 Coming Out: How Parents Took the News 123 Annual Number of STD Cases in the U.S. in 2002 131 Exposures Causing People to Get AIDS, 1998–2003 137 Teens Raped in the U.S. in 2001 140 v PREFACE In developing The Truth About series, we have taken time to review some of the most pressing problems facing our youths today. Issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, depression, family problems, sexual activity, and eating disorders are at the top of a list of growing con- cerns. It is the intent of these books to provide vital facts while also dis- pelling myths about these terribly important and all-too-common situations. These are authoritative resources that kids can turn to in order to get an accurate answer to a specific question or to research the history of a problem, giving them access to the most current related data available. It is also a reference for parents, teachers, counselors, and others who work with youths and require detailed information. Let’s take a brief look at the issues associated with each of those topics. Alcohol and drug use and abuse continue to be a national con- cern. Today’s young people often use drugs to avoid life’s extraordi- nary pressures. In doing so they are losing their ability to learn how to cope effectively. Without the internal resources to cope with pres- sure, adolescents turn increasingly back to addictive behaviors. As a result, the problems and solutions are interrelated. Also, the speed with which the family structure is changing often leaves kids with no outlet for stress and no access to support mechanisms. In addition, a world of youths faces the toughest years of their lives, dealing with the strong physiological urges that accompany sexual desire. Only when young people are presented the facts hon- estly, without indoctrination, are they likely to connect risk taking with certain behaviors. This reference set relies on knowledge as the most important tool in research and education. vii viii The Truth About Sexual Behavior and Unplanned Pregnancy Finally, one of the most puzzling issues of our times is that of eat- ing disorders. Paradoxically, while our youths are obsessed with thinness and beauty, and go to extremes to try to meet perceived societal expectations, they are also increasingly plagued by obesity. Here, too, separating the facts from fiction is an important tool in research and learning. As much as possible, The Truth About presents the facts through honest discussions and reports of the most up-to-date research. Knowing the facts associated with health-related questions and prob- lems will help young people make informed decisions in school and throughout life. Mark J. Kittleson, Ph.D. General Editor HOW TO USE THIS BOOK NOTE TO STUDENTS Knowledge is power. By possessing knowledge you have the ability to make decisions, ask follow-up questions, or know where to go to obtain more information. In the world of health, that is power! That is the purpose of this book—to provide you the power you need to obtain unbiased, accurate information and The Truth About Sexual Behavior and Unplanned Pregnancy. Topics in each volume of The Truth About are arranged in alphabet- ical order, from A to Z. Each of these entries defines its topic and explains in detail the particular issue. At the end of most entries are cross-references to related topics. A list of all topics by letter can be found in the table of contents or at the back of the book in the index. How have these books been compiled? First, the publisher worked with me to identify some of the country’s leading authorities on key issues in health education. These individuals were asked to identify some of the major concerns that young people have about such topics. The writers read the literature, spoke with health experts, and incorpo- rated their own life and professional experiences to pull together the most up-to-date information on health issues, particularly those of interest to adolescents and of concern in Healthy People 2010. Throughout the alphabetical entries, the reader will find sidebars that separate Fact from Fiction. There are Question-and-Answer boxes that attempt to address the most common questions that youth ask about sensitive topics. In addition, readers will find a special feature called “Teens Speak”—case studies of teens with personal stories related to the topic in hand. ix