Love American Style: Some Like It Hot, Some Like It Not
Why is it that a country like the Netherlands, known for its openness toward sex, has the lowest teen birth rate of any western, industrialized nation? And, why has America, so concerned with keeping sex under cover (so to speak), fallen so far behind when it comes to this and other critical issues? The Media Project gathered together top television network & studio executives to discuss results from a recent European study tour led by Advocates for Youth and to explore how the media can play a role in helping to reduce the teen pregnancy and HIV infection rates among young people in this country. The discussion was moderated by The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Chairman & CEO, Meryl Marshall. James Wagoner, President of Advocates for Youth presented the findings of the tour as well as a brief video comparing the attitudes of European and American teens about sex. The event served as a call to action for all involved.
Click here to read a summarized transcript of the briefing.  [Please note: You'll need the PDF Reader to view a PDF file.]
Study Findings:
Pregnancy Rate
(per 1,000 Women Ages 15 to 19)
U.S. |
79.8 |
France |
20.2 |
Germany |
16.1 |
Netherlands |
8.7 |
|
Syphilis Rate
(per 100,000 Teens Ages 15 to 19)
U.S. |
6.4 |
East Germany |
2.2 |
West Germany |
1.2 |
Netherlands |
1.0 |
|
HIV in Young Men
(% of Men Ages 15 to 24 Infected w/ HIV)
U.S. |
0.75 |
France |
0.49 |
Netherlands |
0.27 |
Germany |
0.14 |
|
Birth Rate
(per 1,000 Women Ages 15 to 19)
U.S. |
48.7 |
Germany |
12.5 |
France |
10.0 |
Netherlands |
4.5 |
|
Gonorrhea Rate
(per 100,000 Teens Ages 15 to 19)
U.S. |
571.8 |
East Germany |
15.0 |
West Germany |
8.6 |
France |
7.7 |
Netherlands |
7.7 |
|
HIV in Young Women
(% of Women Ages 15 to 24 Infected w/ HIV)
U.S. |
0.30 |
France |
0.30 |
Netherlands |
0.11 |
Germany |
0.05 |
|
Abortion Rate
(per 1,000 Women Ages 15 to 19)
U.S. |
27.5 |
France |
10.2 |
Netherlands |
4.2 |
Germany |
3.6 |
|
Chlamydia Rate
(per 100,000 Teens Ages 15 to 19)
|
Typical Age at First Sexual Intercourse
U.S. |
17.4 years |
Netherlands |
17.7 years |
France |
18.0 years |
|
Source: Feijoo AN. Adolescent Sexual Health in Europe and the U.S.—Why the Difference? [The Facts] Washington, DC: Advocates for Youth, 2001. |
Lessons Learned:
The study revealed ten important lessons learned from the tour, five of which are listed below.
Research is the basis for public policies to reduce unintended pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Political and religious interest groups have little influence on public health policy.
Governments support massive, consistent, long-term public education campaigns utilizing the Internet, television, films, radio, billboards, discos, pharmacies, and health care providers. Media is a partner, not a problem, in these campaigns. Campaigns are far more direct and humorous than in the U.S. and focus on safety and pleasure.
Adults see intimate sexual relationships as normal and natural for older adolescents, a positive component of emotionally healthy maturation. At the same time, young people believe it is "stupid and irresponsible" to have sex without protection and use the maxim, "safer sex or no sex."
Adults in the Netherlands, France, and Germany view young people as assets, not as problems. Adults value and respect adolescents and expect teens to act responsibly. Governments strongly support education and economic self-sufficiency for youth.
The morality of sexual behavior is weighed through an individual ethic that includes the values of responsibility, respect, tolerance, and equity.
 Send this page to a friend >>
|
