Threats to Girlhood
Threats to Girlhood
Three-quarters of a million teens from developed countries around the world will become teen moms within the next twelve months.216 25% of 15 year olds in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have already had sex.217 50% of 17 year olds in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have already had sex.218ually active.219
Half of all U.S. girls ages 14 to 19 are sexually active. 219
Sexuality, Contraception, Pregnancy, & Sexually Transmitted Diseases
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Teenage girls who accept stereotyped statements about their bodies are less likely to use contraception.220 Girls who are comfortable with their bodies are more likely to use condoms. Girls less comfortable with their own bodies are intimidated to request or insist on condom use.221 The more a girl believes she should let boys control a relationship sexuality, the more likely she is to engage in highrisk behavior that threatens her health.222 216 UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre. “A League Table of Teen Births in Rich Countries.” Innocenti Report Card, Issue no. 3, July 3 2001. P.3. http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/repcard3e.pdf 217 UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre. “A League Table of Teen Births in Rich Countries.” Innocenti Report Card, Issue no. 3, July 3 2001. P.4. http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/repcard3e.pdf 218 UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre. “A League Table of Teen Births in Rich Countries.” Innocenti Report Card, Issue no. 3, July 3 2001. P.4. http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/repcard3e.pdf 219 Amis, John. “1 in 4 teen girls have STD.” USA Today, May 27, 2008. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-03-11-std_n.htm 220 Impett, Emily A; Schooler, Deborah; and Deborah L. Tolman.”To Be Seen and Not Heard: Femininity Ideology and Adolescent Girls’ Sexual Health.” Archives of Sexual Behavior. 2006. 221 Impett, Emily A; Schooler, Deborah; and Deborah L. Tolman.”To Be Seen and Not Heard: Femininity Ideology and Adolescent Girls’ Sexual Health.” Archives of Sexual Behavior. 2006. 222 Impett, Emily A; Schooler, Deborah; and Deborah L. Tolman.”To Be Seen and Not Heard: Femininity Ideology and Adolescent Girls’ Sexual Health.” Archives of Sexual 58