Youth council surveys sexual activity and histories - Reveals demand for more sex-ed in district schools

MILFORD — Local students are more sexually active than average and want more comprehensive sex education in schools, according to a survey conducted by the Pike County Youth Coalition (PCYC). The survey was distributed for two weeks in August through the PCYC Web site and online social networks. There were 278 responses from current and past students of Delaware Valley High School, ranging from 14 to 25 years of age. The youths were asked questions about themselves, the extent of their personal knowledge regarding sex and related topics, and for feedback on various ways to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Some 56 percent of recent DVHS graduates had sexual intercourse while in middle or high school, compared to the national average of 48 recorded by the Centers for Disease Control for 2007 percent. Some 63 percent reported having sexual intercourse before age 19. The most common age respondents, including those currently enrolled in the district, reported first having sexual intercourse was at age 16, or 11th grade. Some reported experiences in middle school as early as sixth grade, according to Alex Lotorto, a PCYC founding member who helped analyze the results. Almost 94 percent of respondents felt that Delaware Valley should increase the amount of comprehensive sexual education in the district. Most believe classes should be mandatory, start in seventh grade, and repeat in high school for at least two years. “When those polled were asked where they learned the most about sex, ‘peers and friends’ was ranked first by most respondents, while ‘classes at school’ was ranked at the bottom of five choices,” Lotoro said. Of those who became sexually active in middle or high school, 30 percent said more education would have delayed their activity, according to the survey. “That number grows to 52 percent when answered by young women who responded they regretted their first sexual experience, indicating how crucial education really is, especially for women who are pressured to give consent,” said Kristina Bensley, another PCYC founding member. Responses indicated that young women in our community are considerably more sexually active compared to the national average, while young men were on par, Bensley added. Among hundreds of written responses, one young woman wrote, “There should be an empowering women’s club or class in our school. The more girls who feel their bodies are just for men to use and babies to grow in, the more these instances will happen.” Lotorto said, “Overwhelmingly, students desire a comprehensive sex-ed curriculum that includes but goes beyond abstinence education. Recently, the district revised its K-12 health curriculum, which is a great step in the right direction. But there is more we should and must do, including educating students on resources available to them in their own community.” Eric Neumann, chair of PCYC’s Committee on Schools and Education that oversaw the research, said, “We also need to look outside of the classroom. About 70 percent showed support for an in-school assembly on the topic, 44 percent would opt in to an elective course for additional information, and about 20 percent said they would participate in after-school programs.” Neumann continued, “Written responses also suggested online courses, a parental education program, more community-based activities, and student support groups. Education from former students with personal experiences was a recurring suggestion, which was also urged by two respondents who themselves were teen mothers.” In addition, about one in ten respondents said they did not use any contraception when they first had sexual intercourse, many of whom stated the cause was lack of access. The survey indicated that increased availability of contraceptives at DVHS was favored by 88 percent of respondents. “Though the survey was not scientific, we believe we accomplished our goal of getting an accurate and candid sense of teenage sexual activity in the school district. We can begin to take action based on what is really going to be effective, not just on what popular perception dictates,” said Neumann. A detailed paper on the topic, along with a summary of findings from roundtable discussions, will be released by the Pike County Youth Coalition by the end of the year and presented in various community venues. A white paper that includes additional preliminary findings is posted on the organization’s Web site, www.pikeyouth.org .