Teens and sex: The kids aren’t alright—the connection between decreased teen sex and mental health 

“Fewer American High Schoolers Having Sex Than Ever Before” reads the headline of an article from the Institute for Family Studies. Charles Fain Lehman, the author, calls this a “cause for celebration.”. . . Is this indeed a cause for celebration? In many ways, yes. Teenagers who partake in sexual activities from a younger age will experience more negative mental health outcomes than those who wait, and the idea of a more responsible teenage generation is certainly a heartening one [1]. . . However, by the metrics of mental health and outlooks on the world around them, it does not appear that all is well in Generation Z. Though the decrease in sexual activity is largely a boon for teens and their long-term success, it doesn’t tell the full story.”

Read part one of my article on the connection between decreased teen sex and mental health at Natural Womanhood.

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