Many parents were surprised to learn that 59 percent of both female and male students surveyed were sexually active. Another stat showed 73 percent of females and 51 percent of males used contraception when they lost their virginity.
The truth about what teens are really doing when parents aren’t watching was revealed Monday night.
About 60 parents and residents attended “Sex, Drugs and Rock “n’ Roll in Council Rock” at Council Rock High School-South.
The forum announced the results of an annual survey completed by seniors enrolled in CR South’s Studies in Sexuality class. The anonymous survey, taken by 129 females and 116 males, asked questions about sex, drugs and alcohol.
Many parents were surprised to learn that 59 percent of both female and male students surveyed were sexually active. Another stat showed 73 percent of females and 51 percent of males used contraception when they lost their virginity.
When it came to drinking, 95 percent of both male and female students said they had tried alcohol. About 60 percent said they had smoked marijuana.
The Studies in Sexuality class, an elective, is taught yearlong and gives students an outlet to talk about hard-hitting issues. The class is also offered at CR North.
“It’s kind of frightening to see what the kids are into,” said Pat Toner, who presented the survey statistics and is a teacher of the sexuality course.
Some of the seniors who took the survey were on hand to give parents insight.
Zack Harris, 17, suggested keeping an ear open to what students are talking about. Certain slang words have specific meanings, he said.
“Hooking up’ can mean anything from kissing to sex,” Zack said. He also said phrases like “getting mangled” and “blazing” are related to alcohol or substance abuse.
The goal of the survey is to generate the communication between parents and students when talking about sex, drugs and alcohol.
“It’s not an easy conversation to have,” Toner said to parents. “But it doesn’t matter if you’re saying the right thing, it’s about saying something.”
