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Teens Are Having Less Sex — and Are Being More Careful When They Do

By U.S. News & World Report

The kids are all right — well, a majority of them — when it comes to using protection during sex.

New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics found that 55 percent of teens who’ve had sex prior to age 18 are protecting themselves; the usual method of protection was a condom. The 2011 to 2015 CDC study, published Thursday, gathered data from more than 4,000 teenagers.

The study also showed that teens are having less sex than they used to. Just 42 percent of female teens said they had sex at least once, compared to 51 percent in 1988. That number fell more significantly for men, from 60 percent in 1988 to 44 percent, according to the study.

For the purposes of the study, researchers defined sex as vaginal intercourse between male and female 15 to 19-year-old teens.

Pregnancy concerns play a key factor in contraceptive use. Rates have declined for teen pregnancy since a peak in the 1990s, study author Joyce C. Abma of the National Center for Health Statistics told Reuters. Until 2002, teen sexual activity was falling fast, though there has been a more measured drop since as contraceptive use has grown.

“Whether and to what degree teenagers want to avoid pregnancy influences their sexual and contraceptive behavior,” write the study authors. “Furthermore, the majority of female teenagers (88.5%) reported that they would be a little or very upset if they became pregnant, and having these feelings was associated with a higher likelihood of contraceptive use,” they added.

Though the contraception data may be encouraging, that doesn’t mean this issue is resolved.

The U.S. teen pregnancy rate is high compared to most developed countries, Abma told CBS News. “That in addition to sexually transmitted infections, these are public health issues that we need to get a hold on what the causes are. Sexual activity and contraceptive use are the direct mechanisms that drive these trends.”

As for who they’re having sex with for the first time — 74 percent of females and 51 percent of males said it was who they were “going steady” with. But for 20 percent of females and close to 40 percent of males, Reuters notes, they claim to have had sex for the first time with someone who was just a friend or someone they were “going out (with) every once in a while.”

Case in point: If you’re going to proceed, use caution.

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Teens Are Having Less Sex — and Are Being More Careful When They Do originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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