What the kids are saying...
All questions and answers

What grade are you in?
9th......21 (8 boys, 13 girls)
10th...16 (5 boys, 11 girls)
11th....26 (21 boys, 5 girls)
12th....37 (19 boys, 18 girls)

How old are you?
13...2 (2 girls)
14...15 (6 boys, 9 girls)
15...16 (6 boys, 10 girls)
16...30 (21 boys, 9 girls)
17...32 (15 boys, 17 girls)
18....5 (5 boys)

Do you consider yourself:
Straight....85 (45 boys, 40 girls)
Bisexual...11 (4 boys, 7 girls)
Gay..............2 (2 boys)
Not sure....2 (2 boys)

“I’m not gay but I acknowledge the fact that I’m attracted to men sometimes. I think, under it all, everyone is gay or has gay tendencies.”
Boy, 18

“I like what I like when I like it.”
Boy, 16

“It’s up in the air right now. I don’t think at this age it’s set in stone.”
Girl, 15

How old were you when you had sex for the first time?
12.............................................................3 (3 boys, 0 girls)
13.............................................................9 (9 boys, 0 girls)
14.............................................................11 (7 boys, 4 girls)
15.............................................................13 (7 boys, 6 girls)
16.............................................................9 (6 boys, 3 girls)
17.............................................................4 (1 boys, 3 girls)
18.............................................................0 (0 boys, 0 girls)
Wouldn’t say but have had sex... 6 (4 boys, 2 girls)
Haven’t had sex..................................45 (17 boys, 29 girls)

If you’ve never had sex, why not?
Waiting for love..................................................8
Waiting for marriage........................................3
Religious reasons...............................................2
Waiting until you’re older..............................11
Waiting for the right person.........................12
The opportunity hasn’t presented itself...9

“No particular reason. I’m not, like, a Christian.”
Girl, 17

“A girl wanted me to do it, but I didn’t want to.”
Boy, 18

“The time hasn’t come. I haven’t had the opportunity, and truthfully, I’m not crazy about it.”
Boy, 16

“I don’t think I’m mature enough to handle it.”
Girl, 16

“I have a brother, and if word got out, it would be pretty embarrassing.”
Girl, 15

“I don’t want to be an animal.”
Boy, 15

“I’m not waiting. I just haven’t had the right moment.”
Girl, 17

“Lack of a partner.”
Boy, 18

What’s your take on teen sex overall?
“As long as you protect yourself, it’s your decision, but be safe.”
Girl, 17

“It’s about maturity. If you don’t have it, don’t do it.”
Boy, 17

“I educate youth through youth outreach and activism. Sex is not something you just do. It’s a special thing. The person has to respect you and you have to respect yourself.”
Girl, 17

“Protect yourself. You don’t want to get sick or die. We’re too young for that.”
Girl, 17

“It depends on the situation. If you are only doing it to confirm your own attractiveness, no, but getting your kicks is fine.”
Girl, 17

“If you are mentally ready it’s okay. Girls should not be ashamed about being sexual.”
Girl, 17

“It’s a big deal. You’re not going to act the same way around girls.”
Boy, 17

“It’s gross. To think about all these kids having sex makes me want to vomit.”
Boy, 16

“You should have sex only when you’re ready, because it’s overrated.”
Girl, 17

“People are always discussing it, so not having it makes you feel lonely.”
Girl, 15

“It’s awesome, but wait until you’re 16.”
Boy, 14

“I don’t think you should have sex in ninth grade. Probably tenth.”
Boy, 14

Have you ever had a sexual experience you regret or never want to try again?
Yes...25
No.....75

“I guess rushing into having sex in general.”
Boy, 15.

“One chick had an STD, but luckily I didn’t get it because I went straight to the hospital for a vaccine.”
Boy, 17

“I don’t think a mouth should be on your private parts.”
Girl, 17

“One time, because I didn’t like the girl and she was attached.”
Boy, 16

“It wasn’t supposed to happen to me. All I can say is watch out for rapists.”
Boy, 14

“I had a gay boyfriend, which wasn’t so fun.”
Girl, 17

“Yes, because she was ugly.”
Boy, 14

“Yes, we were both drunk.”
Boy, 17

“Yes, making out with other girls.”
Girl, 17

“Yes, anal sex.”
Girl, 17

“When I lost my virginity. I did it for the wrong reasons. I thought I could get him back that way.”
Girl, 15

“Fingering. That really wasn’t very fun.”
Girl, 15

“Having sex with a girl during her period.”
Boy, 17

Have you ever felt guilty after a sexual experience?
Yes...17
No.....83

“I feel bad when I’ve moved too fast, I guess.”
Boy, 16

“Yes, because I was just using her.”
Boy, 14

“I feel guilty sometimes just because I was raised as a Christian.”
Boy, 15

“I used to feel guilty the first few times, when the girl was really drunk and I wasn’t. But not much anymore, since I have sex regularly.”
Boy, 16