Girls more likely than boys to have risky first sex

A recent study has revealed that teen girls are less likely to use condoms during their first sexual encounter than teen boys. To read the article, click here. When this article was first presented to me, I replied with, "Yes, of course. I figured that." I was asked why I thought that, which led into a much deeper conversation about teens, sex, relationships, power, and choice.

For me, this one is a no-brainer. When you have talked with teen girls who have had sex, many of them will describe it as "It just happened." "I didn't plan it." "I didn't know that was going to happen." What does that tell you? THE GIRLS WERE NEVER ASKED IF THEY WANTED TO HAVE SEX. So, let's take this discussion one step further. If you are never ASKED if you want to have sex, then what will you never ask the other person to use? a CONDOM. Now you know why this study was not surprising to me at all.

You see, females often do not feel like they have a voice in a relationship. Yes, they have a "voice" as in they talk. But they often do not feel like they have any "power." Especially if the young woman is in a relationship with an older boy, then she really doesn't feel like she has power. As a result, if you have no power in a relationship - then you won't feel justified in demanding or insisting someone use a condom to protect you. This, my friends, is the problem. This is why we currently have job security! And, this is why we call them "Empowerment Groups." So, the work goes on.

Any thoughts? Am I off base or on track? I am curious to hear what others think too. And please - let's teach them ALL to use protection when they decide to have sex, for themselves and their partners.