A recent study of youth in grades 7 through 12 has found that romantic teen relationships, as opposed to casual sex, may lead to safer sex practices, The Washington Post reports (washingtonpost.com, 3/4).
The study of 4,500 sexually experienced youth, conducted by research group Child Trends, determined that sexually active teenagers who felt their relationships with a partner were romantic, and who went out socially with that partner, were more likely to use contraceptives than teens who engaged in more casual relationships.
According to Jennifer Manlove, a senior research scientist at Child Trends, this may be because the teens that considered their relationships to be “romantic” might have felt more comfortable talking about contraception with their partner.
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comments 1 - 5 (of 5 total)
jcdutchy, , 2008-03-25 21:32:16
Communication is essential on any level. What is confusing me is if baring all is not a problem but talking about protection is then there must be a change in thinking.
Marcos, São Paulo, Brazil, 2008-03-22 19:37:37
I agree with L.Andrews, we need to know more about teens' thoughts about sex and relationships. We are living in other aera.
L.Andrews, Australia, 2008-03-21 06:39:04
I wonder if they will ever conduct a survey on young gay teens and their views on romance and safer sex practices. Twenty years ago, I contracted HIV within a monogomous r/ship following "old fashioned" romance. Back then, being inlove and being away from the world of casual sex, bars and the club curcuit was safe practice for a young mind fearful of HIV. With HIV knowledge today, it would be interesting to know where the minds of gay teenagers are at in regards to relationships and sex
pete, Birningham, 2008-03-20 11:16:09
I think this is true beacuse my current partner said that I courted him over a 3 month period and it seemed that safe sex didn;t come as a suprise when we talked about it.
Now that we have remained a couple nearly 22 years safe sex is the only way to go for us ( well 4 me ) to keep him from becomming poz too !
Stephen, San Diego, 2008-03-20 10:24:20
Trying to find true honest romance in the gay community is like finding a pot of gold. Once you do...do not let it go. Most guys don't really want romance. Just good sex. If the sex is good they feel the relationship will be. The cart before the horse.
Queenie
