You’re probably tired of hearing it, but the truth remains: abstinence is the only way to completely avoid the risk of pregnancy and/or STDs. Yes, there are ways to practice safer sex, and for those who choose to have sex, safer sex is the way to go! But a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that an increasing number of teens have never had sex before.

The report drew from surveys of 13,500 men and women ages 15 to 44. In 2002, it was estimated that 22 percent of males and females had never had sexual contact with another person. The CDC’s recent report based on data from a 2006 to 2008 survey found that 27 percent of male and 29 percent of female 15-to 24-year-olds had never had sexual contact with another person. This shows an increase of five percent for males and an increase of seven percent for females from 2002.

And sure, these results were obtained by survey, and people may not always be completely honest. But even so, these numbers indicate that sexuality education messages about waiting until you’re ready for sex are sticking, just a bit.

Of course, abstinence isn’t for everyone. But if you do feel that abstinence is the best choice, you’re clearly (and even more so now that you would have been a few years ago) not alone.

—Taylor McCabe, 18, Contributor

Monadnock High School in New Hampshire banned safer-sex kits, which were made available to students by a group called AIDS Services during a World AIDS Day presentation this past December. Though the school had initially approved making the kits available to students, school officials said they didn’t known what was in them. The kits included candy, condoms and flavored lubricant, which reportedly upset parents.

I can understand that parents might be upset by being faced with the idea that some teens—perhaps even their son or daughter—are having sex. And having their children get condoms and lube at a school presentation is a painful reminder that their children might be at risk for STDs and/or pregnancy.

These parents have valid concerns, and I can understand why they wouldn’t want their kids to be having sex. But that doesn’t change the fact that some teens are having sex and need condoms to protect themselves against pregnancy and/or STDs. It’s naive for parents to think that if condoms aren’t available, such as in the safer-sex kits offered at Monadnock High School, that no teens are having sex, and consequently their teens aren’t having sex.

Not making condoms available is doing a disservice to any teen who would benefit from practicing safer sex. The more schools make condoms and lubricant readily available the better off teens will be. We would all benefit from a decrease in unplanned pregnancies and the spread of STDs.

—Taylor McCabe, 18, Contributor

Whenever the subject of abortion is raised, it’s rare that controversy doesn’t follow. Feelings about the issue can be very strong and incredibly divisive. But no matter which stance we take, one thing is hard to argue: facing an unplanned pregnancy is rarely easy, especially for teens. MTV’s No Easy Decision is a special that focuses on this situation. The show, which first aired last December, features three teens who choose to end their unplanned pregnancies.

No Easy Decision respectfully shares the stories of teens Katie, Markai and Natalia without judgment, emphasizing the complexity of their circumstances and the steps each takes to learn about her choices. They consider adoption and the realities of parenting. (Markai, for instance, worries about her college plans and financial future). The show provides an honest description of the situations teens can face when dealing with unplanned pregnancies and, at times, is very moving.

No Easy Decision gives voice to a subject that is not often discussed in the open in such a frank and sensitive way. Already facing what is indeed “no easy decision,” these teens have also found the courage to share their stories. And even if some viewers may disagree with their decisions, their strength and willingness to reach out to viewers, who might themselves be facing the same choice, is worth respecting.

—Meg Gibbon, 19, Contributor

When I was in high school, it seemed like all my classmates were “sexperts,” but really, they had no idea what they were talking about. There’s no room for misinformation, when it comes to sex, which is why I’m working with the IT Campaign at TeezITnow.com. The campaign promotes safer sex and making condoms accessible through the IT condom T-shirt. Our T-shirts, which have actual condoms on them, inspire young people to do something to prevent the consequences of unprotected sex.

Since teen pregnancy is one of those consequences, the IT Campaign is helping spread the word about the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy on May 5, 2010. Today, get more educated about safer sex, take the National Day Quiz and get clear about what you need to do to be part of the solution and not the problem.

—Gema Mora, 19, Contributor

I was talking with some of my friends about MTV’s Teen Mom a few weeks ago, and one of them said, “They’re all whores.” My friend wasn’t calling the guys who the girls had sex with whores, just the girls—not that anyone deserves to be called a whore. I was really surprised and upset that my friend said this.

Why is it that if you’re a teen mother you’re a whore? I don’t hear people calling 20-something-year-old mothers whores, even though they have unplanned pregnancies too. People—teens and adults—make mistakes and birth control fails. But that doesn’t mean you’re a whore, and it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. I don’t look at any of the girls on Teen Mom as whores or sluts. So, they have kids? So, they’re young? So, what?

Being a parent is the most difficult job in the world, especially when you’re young and not ready to take care of a baby. Why say hurtful things about young mothers who are in a really difficult situation?

People may use words like “whore” because they are insecure and want to feel better about themselves by putting someone else—a girl or woman—down. It would make a big difference if people spent half the time they spend talking bad about other people doing something good, like making sure teens get the information they need to help prevent unplanned pregnancies.

—Kait Hamilton, 17, Staff Writer