You talked. We listened. Based on our focus groups with teens, PCAR got your insights on important issues like statutory rape, sexual violence, respect, sexual activity and more. Then we launched a sexual violence prevention campaign geared toward YOU.
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Teens weighed in on how they felt about this issue. How do your own thoughts stack up against theirs? Be sure to answer our latest question on the homepage.

2/1/08 - According to the Medical College of Wisconsin, teens are most likely to have sex in their own homes. Where are the parents?
A. It’s all about opportunity. Teens can have sex before or after school while the parents are at work. - 63%
B. Even if the parents are home, they might not be checking on teens who are in another room. - 31%
C. Parents may monitor their teens for awhile then eventually go to bed. - 0%
D. Some parents are of the mindset that they would rather have their teens engaging in sex at home than sneaking around somewhere else doing it. - 6%

1/1/08 - What would you do if a friend told you she was raped?
A. I’d tell her parents. - 17%
B. I’d ask her for more details. - 21%
C. I’d give her the number of the local rape crisis center. - 54%
D. I would wonder if she was telling the truth or just trying to get attention. - 8%

12/1/07 - Every year, three million teens contract a sexually transmitted disease. With all the information out there about condoms and safe sex, why are teens still getting STDs?
A. In the heat of the moment, they don’t think about safe sex. - 36%
B. They’re too embarrassed to buy condoms.. - 8%
C. Despite the numbers, they just don’t think it can happen to them. - 44%
D. We always hear about AIDS and pregnancy, but we need more information about all the STDs. - 11%

11/1/07 - Many abstinence programs have promoted the idea of “virginity pledges,” which ask teens to wait until marriage to have sex. What’s your opinion about this?
A. It’s a great weapon against pregnancy and STDs. - 53%
B. The pledges might work for a little while, but eventually a teen is going to have sex. - 26%
C. Virginity pledges are bogus. It’s just another way for parents and churches to
control our lives. - 15%
D. I’ve never heard of virginity pledges. - 6%

10/1/07 - The vast majority of teens ages 13 to 16 have not had sex, according to a 2005 poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Why do you think teens are waiting to have sex?
A. They’re worried about sexually transmitted diseases. - 44%
B. Their religion doesn’t allow sex before marriage. - 6%
C. They haven’t met the right person yet. - 25%
D. I don’t know who they’re polling. None of my friends are waiting. - 25%

9/1/07 - Having casual relationships and “friends with benefits” is common way that teens have sex today. Why is that?
A. Nobody wants to be in a serious relationship at a young age. - 5%
B. It’s an easy way to hook up. - 0%
C. You can try out a lot of people before settling down. - 10%
D. All of the above. - 85%

8/1/07 - Although the teen pregnancy rate has declined recently, the U.S. still has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy among developed nations. As a teen, what’s your opinion about why this is the case?
A. By the time parents talk to us about sex, most of us have already had intercourse. - 0%
B. America is obsessed with material possessions and a baby is something else for us “to acquire. - 0%
C. Parents either don’t talk to us about sex—or, if they do, they limit it to a one-time “big talk.” That’s not enough. - 20%
D. Teens get tons of info about pregnancy, but, the truth is,
we just don’t think it will happen to us. - 80%

7/1/07 - Who pressures teens the most when it comes to having sex?
A. My partner pressures me to "go ahead and give in.". - 33%
B. My friends give me a hard time about whether or not I'm still a virgin. - 21%
C. TV and movies. Every show makes it look like all teens are doing it. - 21%
D. I put a lot of pressure on myself. - 25%

6/1/07 - Statistics show that teens make up ¼ of 12 million STD cases reported each year. How safe are you when it comes to having sex?
A. I’ve never had sex. - 52%
B. If you use the Pill and have only one partner, there’s nothing to worry about. - 2%
C. Using condoms is the best way to prevent STDs. - 33%
D. I try to be safe most of the time but don’t always use protection. - 12%

5/1/07 - Which people in your life explained the topic of sex to you?
A. My parents. They sat down with me and we had “the big talk.” - 14%
B. My friends explained all the really juicy details. - 21%
C. My teacher told us everything in sex ed class. - 17%
D. I just figured out things along the way. - 48%

4/1/07 - If a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old agree to have sex, is that considered statutory rape?
A. Of course not. They’re both consenting to the relationship. - 39%
B. It depends on whether they’re homosexual or heterosexual. - 1%
C. Yes. There are laws that would protect the 13-year-old. - 56%
D. It’s not statutory rape if their parents are OK with it. - 4%

3/1/07 - Is it easy to talk about sex?
A. With my friends, yes. With my parents? No way.. - 62%
B. It's pretty easy. I've asked my mom things about sex that I would never bring up with my dad.. - 12%
C. I've talked openly with my older sister. She's comfortable answering all my questions- 4%
D. No. If I have questions about sex, I just look for information online. - 22%

2/1/07 - When does teasing/flirting cross the line into sexual harassment?
A. If the girl isn't friends with the person who's doing the teasing, then its harassment. - 1%
B. It depends on what a girl is wearing, If she's dressed in a sexy way, then she has to expect some flirting. - 84%
C. Sexual harassment really isn't an issue at my school. - 1%
D. As soon as a comment makes a person uncomfortable, it's sexual harassment. - 14%

12/29/06 - Is oral sex considered sex?
A. Yes. You can get an infection from it, so it’s obviously sex. - 24%
B. No. Since there’s no possibility of getting pregnant from it, it’s not really sex. - 4%
C. Yes. If you’re accepting something into your body from someone else in a
sexual way, it’s sex. - 58%
D. No. Oral sex doesn’t have the same level of intimacy as intercourse. - 14%

What’s happening in the news affects you and other teens. Check out some of today’s headlines to make sure you get the scoop.
 

When to kiss him goodbye – for good He won’t take no for an answer. NO MEANS NO. If you tell him no, he should respect your choice. If he forces you to go further, it may be rape. read more... "Sexy music triggers teen sex" Teens whose iPods are full of music with raunchy, sexual lyrics start having sex sooner than those who prefer other songs, a study found. read more... GoTo123: 14 ‘n from Michigan?? After tossing her books on the sofa, she decided to grab a snack and get on-line.  read more...