So says the latest Washington State Healthy Youth Survey that’s taken every two years by thousands of Washington students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 in more than 1,000 public schools. The survey focuses on attitudes and health risk behaviours—this was the first time it asked about sexual activity.
About 31 percent of 10th graders and 53 percent of 12th graders in the state reported having ever had sexual intercourse. About eight percent of 10th graders and 17 percent of 12th graders reported they had four or more sexual partners. Among those who had ever had sexual intercourse, about 63 percent of 10th graders and 54 percent of 12th graders reported using a condom the last time they had intercourse.
In drug, alcohol, cigarette, bullying, and suicide-related news:
Since 2000, youth cigarette smoking has dropped by half, resulting in about 70,000 fewer smokers. However, these dramatic reductions have slowed in recent years, with 10th grade smoking remaining mostly flat at about 13 percent from 2004 to 2010. Besides cigarettes, youth are using other tobacco products that are often flavored to taste like candy. Among youth who use tobacco, about half report using some type of candy-flavored product. Chewing tobacco use by 10th graders is on the rise, particularly among girls— the rate has more than doubled in the past 10 years to more than three percent.
In the past 20 years, there’s been a big drop in 8th and 10th graders who report drinking alcohol in the past 30 days. Since 1990, youth drinking is down for 8th graders by over half, from 29 to 14 percent in 2010. Drinking among 10th graders has dropped from 44 to 28 percent. Since 2008, about 20,000 more youth in 8th, 10th, and 12th grade report that their parents talked to them about not drinking alcohol.
About seven percent of 10th graders attempted suicide in the past year — down from the previous survey. Of 10th graders surveyed in 2010, 85 percent said they felt safe at school.
I still can’t get over the fact that girls these days prefer chewing tobacco over say, chewing gum.
Chewing tobacco?!?!?!? WTF?????
Were those the girls from the east side of the state?
The first and only time I tried chewing tobacco, it was given to me by a couple of hot blonde sorority girls at USC, both of whom were locals. This was about 15 years ago so maybe it has caught on more now. God damn that shit was gross!
And is this the percentage of teens who would admit to it, the actual numbers are higher.
As for chewing tobacco, it’s been a few years since High School, but I’ve never seen a girl chew, it’s always guys.
I just can’t picture a bunch of 16 year old girls stuffing their cheeks full of Copenhagen.
It’s not the chewing tobacco you guys are all thinking of (e.g., skoal, copenhagen, etc.), it’s heavily flavored to the point it tastes like gum or candy.
Think Four Loko but in tobacco form.
The reason why so many teenagers are having sex is because they are taught by filthy lefties who denigrate the virtues of free market capitalism and giving public dollars to corporations.
Generalize much? How does 3% of the population become girls in general, as your statement implies? Why are you choosing to ignore the other 97%?
@5 Like those Camel Snus I see heavily advertised in every convenience store and grocery store, yes? I can see that.
Newsflash: 80% of teenagers lie on anonymous polls.
@7
This is standard polling research practice. They teach this sort of thing in college.
Based on the numbers, seems like they like chewing on something other than tobacco or gum a whole lot more.
I’ve watched kids take this survey a couple of times now. Quite a lot make up all sorts of shit, some take it seriously, many don’t bother with it at all.
Was this really the first time the survey asked about sexual activity? 2010? This is the most shocking statistic, IMO.
Those surveys always made me feel like a nerd in high school. But it’s ok, I’m totally cool now. I can do the macarena.
@8, yup. They come in little packets, so there’s no muss, no fuss. And heavily candied. I see them trying (and failing) to buy them at the convenience store across the street. Figures Camel would be in the vanguard on the candied-tobacco front.
Chew, the old-fashioned nasty gritty stuff, got me through a couple of long flights when I was a smoker. And I actually used the stuff to quit smoking with; first I got rid of the habit of touching my hand to my mouth hundreds of times a day, and after that, quitting chew was EASY. Because it’s so incredibly nasty. Especially if you’re like me and swallowed half of it, and never spit. Like having a glob of shit in your mouth.
I called it “kissability”.
New teachers always ask why the 10th graders are so fucking retarded and the 11th graders so chill and relaxed. Because they have all had sex at that point. It takes the edge of their stupidity.
@15: BRILLIANT!
Women are more unhappy today than they were in the 50’s, but keep spreading your legs and allowing your gash to be used like a slot machine, ladies.
@17 Man, I bet the ladies love you.
Wait only 53? Hollywood tells me they all do!
16
yeah, @15 was brilliant and insightful.
so when are you going to get some?….
The survey shows that way more than half of high school kids successfully practice abstinence and half are still at it by the end of high school.
Considering it is a 100% foolproof safe way to avoid pregnancy and STDs that is encouraging news.
And considering the popular culture works against them at every turn one wonders how much safer our kids could be if they were given some support to make this healthy informed safe lifestyle choice.
Why doesn’t Danny get on board with the CDC and encourage actual healthy safe behavior?