Perspectives on International Sex Practices and American Family Sex Communication Relevant to Teenage Sexual Behavior in the United States

Abstract

During the last 25 years, a health problem has arisen in the United States that continues to drive the country ahead of all other developed nations in unintended teenage pregnancy. This article places U.S. teen sex in an international light. Because sexual activity across countries is about the same, current cross-cultural studies are examined for impact on the American situation. Further, family sex communication, a recent area of inquiry in the United States, also is discussed because of its importance in initially establishing sexual attitudes of children. Some American assumptions about determinants of teen pregnancy are argued to be either equivocal or false, and recommendations for a healthier policy to ameliorate the problem of teen pregnancy and abortion are offered.