Sexual Health in the 21st Century: How Young Adults Are Mis-Managing Their Sex Lives
For men and women in their 20s, the sexual landscape has changed dramatically over the past few decades. 40 years ago, 21% of 25-year-olds were single. In 2005, the percentage had leaped to 60%.
That’s because being 20 isn’t what it used to be. Now, the 20s is a stage of live that is often described as an odyssey, where young men and women are exploring their options and discovering who they are and what they want. Most aren’t interested in beginning a family just yet.
As they try to figure out their professional and life goals, a lot of these unmarried adults are also working out how to manage their sex lives.
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy is aware of this fact. They conducted and then published a poll revealing that 86% of single people between the ages of 18 and 29 have an active sex life. 87% of the group state that they're not ready to have children– no surprise there – however, their intentions and their actions are on a different page.
50% of young adults don’t use consistent contraception.
Though children aren’t in the plans, nearly 50% of young men and women engaged in a sexual relationship don't use contraceptive protection. If they do use it, it's inconsistently. The staggering fact is that some, almost 20%, have a good idea that unprotected sex is in their future in the next three months. In other words, they know they’re going to have sex, yet don’t plan to protect themselves.
You have to wonder if they fully grasp the consequences. If you listen to the statistics, the answer is apparently not. In the 18 to 29 age group 7 out of 10 pregnancies are not intended. In addition, young adults in their 20s have the highest incidence of sexually transmitted diseases of any other age group. This includes gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia.
How can this be? According to Heather Boonstra of the Guttmacher Institute, an organization focusing on sexual and reproductive health, “Teens get a lot of attention around childbearing and pregnancy. But the age group that is the most trouble, and the highest rate of unintended pregnancy and abortion, are those in their early 20s.”
No health care and poor understanding leads to risky sex.
Bannister goes on to say that part of the problem is the lack of access to healthcare. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2008 approximately 27% of men and women ages 18 to 34 did not have health insurance, a higher percentage than any other age group. Without insurance, contraception can cost up to $70 a month depending on the type of contraceptive device. And that doesn't include doctor’s visits.
But it's more than access to healthcare. The national campaign poll also revealed that many of these young adults do not actually fully understand how to prevent pregnancy. While 90% stated they are confident in their knowledge about how to prevent it, the same group also reported that they know little or nothing about the birth control pill. Their condom knowledge is lacking as well. Some believe that wearing two condoms gives you twice the protection, but the truth is that doubling up on condoms increases the risk of breakage.
And even though young adults have grown up in an age where sexual topics are discussed as casually as the weather on television, not to mention what you can find with a little Internet research, most are not comfortable discussing sexual behavior.
Access to an accurate knowledge base is key.
In order to empower young adults when it comes to their sexual health, experts are trying to reach them with the kind of information they're looking for. The starting point is teen pregnancy prevention and a $14.5 million initiative is approved in December. This is targeted at teens with the hope of reducing teenage pregnancy and deterring risky behavior.
But what about the people who have moved past high school? The national campaign is also developing a website that has an accompanying mobile application called Bedsider. There, young adults between ages 18 to 29 can find current information about sexual health. The launch date is scheduled for sometime early in 2011.
Trying to navigate the waters of an ever-changing sexual landscape has proved to be a challenge for young adults. Perhaps it’s always been that way. But as with all things, education coupled with open communication is the key.
