It seems like most girls are losing their virginity as early as 13 yrs old. There no longer is a need to wait until marriage. Why do they no longer care?

Perhaps we should ask their mothers.

Some girls feel sex gives them a sense of love... it depends on how they grew up.

The pressure to be like everyone else often over-rides morals. I have heard from a lot of girls that they like the attention.

There are still plenty of girls that are waiting.

Not trying to be judgmental here, but the kind of outlook that girls no longer wait before having sex is like can't see the forest because of the trees directly in front of a person. Lots of girls still wait. Depends upon upbringing, education, culture, etc.

In some cultures, a girl wouldn't dare to have sex before being married because it would be so socially taboo because of tradition and societal/culture constraints. In such cultures, the girl might lose the chance to have a good partner for life if she were to have sex before being married.

Also depends on where a person is making that kind of observation based upon what they can see.

Just my thoughts on this...

Media, society, lack of parental involvement, American culture--there are too many interlinked reasons, not ONE big reason. Don't you think that if there were ONE reason that people would have figured it out and put a stop to it?

But why focus on girls only? Boys are starting that young or younger too! Is this a double standard on your part, that you only care that it's girls losing virginity that young?

Like Synnen said... but the biggest reason of them is lack of parental control. Many parents just let kids do as they please and not make them behave in a manner that is both moral and appropriate. When I was growing up if you disobeyed your parents there was hell to pay... these days kids threaten to call the authorities if the parents try to discipline their own kids... and the authorities side with the kids.

It's a miricle the problem isn't worse than it is. Public schools have become indocrination centers... not places of learning and everyone fights against parents rights to raise kids the way they see fit, to the level of morality they were raised to.

Besides everything everybody else has said sex has gotten to be something that is a common thing with no moral or value that has a higher standard.
And also
Many pre teens idealize having a baby and they want the cute boy and they have the live for the minute attitude giving no regard to the future or the consequences and the 'what if's' or the 'what abouts'.

There is severe social pressure on teenage girls to have boyfriends and a sexy reputation.

It seems like most girls are losing their virginity as early as 13 yrs old. There no longer is a need to wait untill marriage. Why do they no longer care?
Specifically: Why don't *American* girls "wait longer to lose their virginity"?

As most responders posited: It has do with culture, society, and value systems.

I believe that, sadly, children in our society (USA) are *constantly* being attacked by the media, culture, and society to become sexually promiscuous from an early age.

American society is literally fascinated by youth. Anyone else notice this? Or am I off base?

Peace.

Specifically: Why don't *American* girls "wait longer to lose their virginity"?

As most responders posited: It has do with culture, society, and value systems.

I believe that, sadly, children in our society (USA) are *constantly* being attacked by the media, culture, and society to become sexually promiscuous from an early age.

American society is literally facinated by youth. Anyone else notice this? Or am I off base?

Peace.

Um... plenty of other countries have kids having sex. Its not just an american thing. Probably nothing has changed about common ages of kids having sex anyway. My dad lost his at 14 my grandfather lost his at 12 and I lost mine at 17. All the other older people Ive talked to openly about sex all say similar ages. Maybe middle to upperclass white america is having sex younger... I would bet statistically nothing has changed except the openness about it.

Um...plenty of other countries have kids having sex. Its not just an american thing. probably nothing has changed about common ages of kids having sex anyways. My dad lost his at 14 my grandfather lost his at 12 and I lost mine at 17. All the other older people Ive talked to openly about sex all say similar ages. Maybe middle to upperclass white america is having sex younger....I would bet statistically nothing has changed except the openness about it.

I certainly I am not denying that underage sex occurs in other countries.

Perhaps I was thinking of the fact that the USA has such a very high teen pregnancy rate compared to other developed countries. This fact bothers me a lot.

Another point to ponder: I wonder at what age the people who didn't talk to you openly about sex lost their virginity... just a thought

Peace.

I certainly I am not denying that underage sex occurs in other countries.

Perhaps I was thinking of the fact that the USA has such a very high teen pregnancy rate compared to other developed countries. This fact bothers me a lot..


The US is ALSO the only first world country that preaches abstinence while showing TV shows about unmarried couples living together. Parents freak about kids learning anything about sex from teachers, yet refuse (or are too embarrassed) to talk to their kids themselves.

The media pushes sexy--for god's sake, look at the models girls have for it! Hannah Montanna, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton... they all dress and act older than they need to, and Britney and Hannah both made vows to stay virgins until they're married. Look where that got Britney!

The US sells sex on every movie screen, every TV commercial, and too many TV shows. I mean, when's the last time you saw an ugly person in unflattering clothing trying to sell something? And yet, too many people are absolute prudes about sex--teens shouldn't think about it, talk about it, wonder about it, or try it out! NO NO NO NO NO is all they hear. Well, when's the last time "Because I said so!" worked on a kid over 12?

Stop pushing abstinence, start pushing education,and for god's sake, stop handing out Welfare to every stupid kid that gets knocked up because they thought it couldn't happen to them. If they had no fallback system, I guarantee you that they would be a lot more careful about sex.

Again... I find it interesting that this focuses on GIRLS losing their virginity younger.

Does everyone feel that boys have ALWAYS been having sex at 12 and 13 too or something?

Perhaps we should ask their mothers.
I think that you can ask your mother but if you were to ask mine she'd tell you I was a 20 year old virgin and she'd be wrong. I lost my virginity when I was 15 years old and haven't regretted it once. I think that sex is just that sex. It when your in love that the act of making love happens. Sex is a fun and pleasurable way to burn calories (lol) and show affection that feels good. Back in the day sex was held on this peadistool and was treated like a sacred object. But now its looked at as a common daily factor. Which seems to be OK by the people in society today

If children abstained from having sex you wouldn't have insane ammounts of teens with STD's Like HPV. Or Aids, or anything else.

If children abstained then just maybe they would focus on school and then more would graduate.

If children did what they were told to do or had hell to pay like my generation did for the most part you would have better educated children and higher moral standards.

And yes I'm an old fart at 47 so yeah I saw everything turn to crap as a result of Political Correctness which blamed everyhing else for the problem rather than the person who's fault it really was.

This is a no brainer, Lack of discipline because there are no parents, teachers, and role models, around to tell these brats NO, and be there to enforce it. Adults use to work together, and now they could care less about the people next door. What do you expect when kids are raising themselves, without Good Orderly Direction?

I checked around the net quickly and came up with 5 or 6 different studies, I was trying to get two done the same year but couldn't. I DID NOT SOURCE ANY OF THESE. The only one I give a smidgen of creditbility before sourcing is the unicef one. I suspect through my own logic these numbers could be skewed, like the rape statistics for the same reasons.
1998 NationMaster - Teenage pregnancy (per capita) (most recent) by country (http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_tee_pre_percap-health-teenage-pregnancy-per-capita)

2001 Differences in Teenage Pregnancy Rates Among Five Developed Countries: The Roles of Sexual Activity and Contraceptive Use (http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3324401.html)

2002 Differences in Teenage Pregnancy Rates Among Five Developed Countries: The Role of Sexual Activity and Contraceptive Use - The Body (http://www.thebody.com/content/art2418.html)

Teen Pregnancy Rates Worldwide Declining (http://afgen.com/populat2.html)

With out sourcing this I basically equate it to someone on the street that I don't know telling me this.

Sex at a young age is wrong in some countries but if you look at the legal age of countries it is as low as 12-15 in many countries.
Age of Consent Worldwide (http://mcncirce.com/safety6.html)

Hello Always_Helping,

My mother and father gave me the birds and the bees talk when I was in 4th grade or 9-10years old. I remember them reading me a book. I didn't lose my virginity until I was 18. Go figure.

Cause they feel like they can handle the adulthood which you can't.

Excuses:
media shows too much sex/violence
parents don't watch their children enough
other people are doing it too
peer pressure from friends

Just STOP with the excuses.
Parents need to blame themselves for their irresponsibilities.
Media needs to re-consider their program materials.
Other people need to stfu about their personal life.
If friends are pressuring one to do something against their will, find new friends.

It's easy.. but they make a big deal out of it~

I have to agree with smoothy and Synnen in that the focus is on girl's virginity most of the time. How about those young men out there who have not learned how to respect the girls they meet and are attracted to? Do their dads provide a proper role model, or do their peers?

I guess that most young girls feel that's the only way they will get 'loved' and that if something happens, they will have their own 'bundle' to love.. and - well the state will provide some assistance. In Germany, they get funded throughout their pregnancy, clinician bills, etc. Then when the baby is here, more funding - and where does the money come from?? If dad is not of legal age, his parents get to share in footing the bills - isn't that wonderful? Guess those parents missed out in educating their son's and wind up paying for it one way or the other - so it's up to them to decide on the play-now-pay-later plan, or educate now and save (oh, but that would mean they have to spend time on actually talking about this issue - and gad... that is a drag because parents are too busy).

Oh, and we must not forget, it's better than being unemployed with no money.. unemployed with a baby at least gives you the status of raising a future 'taxpayer'... ha,ha... if that kid does not get PG and lives off the state first - which is a vicious circle, isn't it..

And, actually, the state of the art TV series and movies of today are clean compared to what European flicks reveal, and also the new cartoons (for lack of a better word) that kids can download now - we all know what I'm talking about. These new naked and humping cartoon characters that have cropped up even make me want to puke... but they are readily available anywhere, as long as you know where to find them. Why are we letting this happen (worldwide)? Freedom of the press, or speech, or what??

A friend of mine has a 9 yr old daughter who just started her menses. This young thing is going through identity crisis now, having to be a young woman at least once a month, while still wanting to be a growing kid with new restrictions the remainder of the month. So, now my friend and I have talks of our childhood with her daughter - giving her food for thought and we hope it helps her keep her 'guard' up long enough.

I was lucky in raising my daughter.. I never restricted what she watched on TV, but I would watch it with her and we would talk about what she was seeing. I figured it was better her hearing it straight from me instead of B.S. from her peers - it worked for us. She was a virgin until 18 - even though I offered to take her to get the pill and talked about condoms before she turned 14 and had a few pregnant school-mates in her class - she said she was not interested in boys that way yet. I probably was not the typical parent because I would bring up the subjects first so that she would not need to be shy with me. I just figured that making her aware of everything 'out there' would not catch her off guard.

The media might be made to stop.. I doubt it, so instead - if you can't lick them, join them. Teach your kids about everything out there first - don't restrict.

There could be better education, more jobs,etc made available - I doubt it, so instead, tell them that it's not a better alternative just because they are bored (or scared and frustrated because they don't see a better future) - teach them that they don't need drugs or sex or any other excessive junk just to feel alive in this messed up world today. Things are not going to get better and we cannot wish it away, so act now so that you don't need to complain later.

OK, off my soapbox now,. your turn.
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_11_2.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZSYYYYYYMXDE)

Exactly Chery...

However as a man I can say even with a father that is a good role model as far as respecting women peer pressure can have an even greater influence if the kid chooses to hang with the wrong "friends".

Both parents are responsible for a good portion of the kids morality. But unless they also helped instill in him who to choose as friends he can still go down the wrong path in life. But at least he would have a better chance of "doing the right thing" than the kid from uncaring parents that let them do as they wish.

I am an adolescent male of 19 and have only ever slept with one woman, I was with her for over two years which at my age I'd consider to be a long term relationship and it wasn't a coincidence, I didn't pressure her and we did it when we were very much in love and ready. I don't regret it and don't think that it was wrong and I would certainly never consider pressuring my partner or doing it before we fell in love and were ready. Read into this what you will but I consider myself to be fairly if not very moral about the subject compared to what seems like all adolescents that I've encountered. If you agree then you can feel free to say it was down to my father being a good rolemodel but he left my mother when I was 4 years old and now has two other children. My views on the subject are my own, partly influenced by my mother who did tell me the details about sex but not necessarily any morals about it at a much younger age. However I would agree that I seem to be an exception to the youth of today and am myself worried about it.

This is all an opinion about myself and others of my own and I certainly don't wish to offend anyone so please don't get upset if I may have misinterpreted or conveyed my views badly. Thanks.

Loved your post Chery and it reminded me of what my mom used to do. She died when I was 11 but I will always remember her "sex talk." I was actually pretty young but for Christmas on year I got Wedding Day Midge and Alan barbie dolls. I think she had planned that because then she asked me if I knew what they did on their wedding night. I had seen enough garbage on TV to know what she was talking about but that was just it, she always talked to me about everything before I had questions and I waited until I was 18.

It's the growing trend in today's society.

It's the growing trend in today's society.

Not to mention they think they're "all that"

I'm 20 (and female for the record) and am still a virgin. It is a personal choice which was also influenced by parents and religion. There are still some girls out there who have not given in to the pressure that they face every day. Not only do peers influence this decision but their significant other does too. Lots of guys are pressured to have sex by their friends. So they pressure their girlfriends. Luckily, I am with someone who doesn't care to have sex, but I know other girls are not so lucky. Something that I have found to be extremely helpful is the reactions I have gotten from some friends and acquaintances. I have had several people approach me and say they admire me because of my values. I find that this is extremely encouraging to keep these values. I think if society encouraged supporting girls' values instead of pressuring for sex, there would be less girls having sex at a younger age.

It seems like most girls are losing their virginity as early as 13 yrs old. There no longer is a need to wait untill marriage. Why do they no longer care? Why is it always on the girl? Why is it not OK for girls to have sex at any age unless she's married but its OK for guys to start going at it as soon as they can keep it up?

Why is it always on the girl?? Why is it not ok for girls to have sex at any age unless she's married but its ok for guys to start going at it as soon as they can keep it up??
I got one word for you, PREGNANT. As long as a female will carry the most burden, and consequences, that's who bears the most burden. You can't disappear after a mistake as a guy can, and as long as females open their legs, there will always be a male, ready, willing, and able. So make your choices wisely ladies.

Why is it always on the girl?? Why is it not ok for girls to have sex at any age unless she's married but its ok for guys to start going at it as soon as they can keep it up??Who has the babies... it does take two to get one started but it's the woman that has them. And as Talaniman said... for any woman that will spread her legs there are guys out there who will jump at the chance to have sex with them. And no a guy doesn't even have to like how she looks or her personality to have sex. And in fact many don't or you wouldn't have so many single moms out there.

Science is finally letting us women turn the tables on guys, though.

It's becoming less and less okay for a guy to start early and then "disappear" if she gets pregnant. DNA testing no longer lets a guy deny that a child is his, and a child support order will keep him paying for that child, whether he's involved in that child's life, for the next 18 or so years.

I would think the fact that it's HARDER to cut and run would mean that more guys would be more cautious about the whole thing.

Again, the whole problem would change if you took away welfare. If the guy HAD to drop out of school to provide for his child, because the state wouldn't, then you can bet more guys would be more careful. If a girl HAD to drop out of school to work and raise her child, or if BOTH parents had to choose between watching a child go hungry or choosing adoption--well, where do you think the trend would turn?

The issue isn't really whether more kids are having sex--I personally don't think THAT many more are--it's whether the consequences make them actually pause and THINK before hopping into bed.

I'm 22 and never had sex, simply because I don't want to 'try it just to see what it's like'. I will do it when the right person comes along, and no, up until this day, I have never met that person. I'm not saying it's the person I'll marry-it's just someone I will be in love with and actually be in a relationship with him.
I can tell you though, that I have felt so much like a weirdo many times before. There were times were I said I'd ask a friend to sleep with me just to get that burden out of my shoulders. I don't feel like that anymore, but the pressure from the society is HUGE. I've actually lied to people about it(and I hate lying) because I know that they wouldn't understand my choice.

Because "sexy" is popular & kids are so ruled by the media its seems they no longer think for themselves.

I'm so tired of people blaming soceity and the persons parents and the media and all others that people find to blame for their actions. Its not the violence on the TV and in movies that make people kill other people its whatever is going on in their heads. Its not someone's mom or dad's fault that make guys or girls have sex before marriage it's a personal choice. I'll admit that I have had sex and in certain cases I have regretted it, but I also have had safe sex and know what could result of me having sex. There is no one to blame for what choices you make. People use the media and soceity as an excuse so they don't have to take resposiblty for their actions. A girl always has a right to say no and so does a guy. But here's the thing a guy always says that that she "opened" her legs and was welcoming but its OK when he walks away if that one night makes a baby? Yes the woman has the baby but there would be no baby if the guy wasn't there. I'm sick and tired of people using abortion as a birth control and expecting that if pregnancy does come from having sex that you can fix it by a quick trip to the doctors. I don't believe that its OK for anybody male or female to have sex before they are in love but I also don't feel like it's the girls responsblity to make sure it doesn't happen. Guys pressure as well and even though I don't feel like that's an excuse for a girl to put out, I feel like the blame needs to be shared by both guilty parties and not n=on the media or "bad" parenting. If your going to make a grown up decision to have sex no matter what gender you are then be a grown up and make the grown up decisions that need to be made when the time comes and stop finding other people to blame your mistakes on

Whether they are in love or not, it is both the responsibilities, of man and woman, but that doesn't change the fact that some men leave, and a female must protect herself as a man should also.

Yes men pressure, but so do females, and mistakes are made. I don't really believe in blame, but reality is hard to ignore and there are consequences of your actions whether you give in to the guy, or not ladies.

So as I tell all females, be responsible for your own health, happiness, and well being, and not depend on a guy for that.

Blame it on the government and media, the prime confusers, propaganda pros and corruptors

blame it on the government and media, the prime confusers, propaganda pros and corruptorsAnd poor parenting. Too many parents won't do their jobs these days.

Because we too, just like males, get horny, have sexual feelings and become curious and interested. It doesn't mean we make the right decisions, but there are many reasons BOTH males and females have sex before marriage. The world is a sexual place.Whats the deal with waiting anyway. Why does it make it any better of a decision?

Because at 13, most people can not understand the CONSEQUENCES of having sex. There's too much of the "it can't happen to ME" attitude.

Also, they can't DEAL with the consequences of sex. They don't have their own insurance--it's still their parents'. They don't have a job to support a child--they leave that to the taxpayers. They don't realize they're jeopardizing future relationships with STDs.

When 13 year olds start paying for their own pregnancies, STD treatments, and babies, then I'll be okay with them not waiting. In the meantime, as a taxpayer, *I* am paying for them to have sex, and I don't want to. I can think of a LOT better things to spend taxes on than 13 year old kids with kids.

Most don't care. I've met some that actually didn't care if they got pregnant and the guy left them... I thought things like that were only themes for television shows. Everyone in my area is pregnant or has a child. Finding a virgin is near impossible. Id be happy just to find one I could honestly believe might not even have an STD...

most dont care. ive met some that actually didnt care if they got pregnant and the guy left them... i thought things like that were only themes for television shows. everyone in my area is pregnant or has a child. finding a virgin is near impossible. id be happy just to find one i could honestly believe might not even have an STD...

For me... I'd only want to go after girls who are virgins...

I guess it's because I've only had sex with one girl so I'm really inexperienced.

There are still many girls out there who do in fact wait until marriage, however, the ones who don't wait feel pressured into doing it. Guys these days don't want to be with a girl unless things other than kissing goes on. Girls feel the need to participate in sexual activities so that guys would like them. Also many girls have sex before marriage because they feel that if they do love the person they are with that they want to give their virginity to that one special boy.

There are still many girls out there who do in fact wait until marriage, however, the ones who don't wait feel pressured into doing it. Guys these days don't want to be with a girl unless things other than kissing goes on. Girls feel the need to participate in sexual activities so that guys would like them. Also many girls have sex before marriage because they feel that if they do love the person they are with that they want to give their virginity to that one special boy.

That is true.

But I still prefer virgin girls....

While its personal choice... I'd rather have a woman with some experience if that all I was after. Let the women who value their virginity keep it and not lose it to someone with only one thing in mind. They can only lose it once. And it's a precious thing to most. Not to be lost casually.

First-off tata85 I don't understand a single word you wrote!

Second, look at the t.v. listen to the recent songs and movie scripts. Our world has become more grown up. The songs talk about sex more now then ever, the movies refer to sex more now then ever before. Everywhere you look you see tits and . Girls aren't waiting because them values are almost non-existent anymore, the girls see these pop-stars making sex tapes and posing nude for playboy. They see it all day everyday and thus increasing the age of boy experimenting as well. The boys see this and are wanting it sooner, thus the girls may or may not be pressured.

This is just my opinion.

1. there is pressure out there

2. some teens grow up faster and society has certainly changed since I was 13 (I'm 25)

3. personally, I don'r really know if I'm the marrying type... of course it might be too early to say, but I don't know... the jury is still out on that one... lol

4. I waited for love, I could have lost it a lot earlier, but I waited. I was 19. And had been dating my boyfriend for over 3 months. We ended up living together for 5 years and I haven't regretted it for one second...

But yeah, I do think that the people who debut early should think about it and not just jump into it... why loose it for someone who won't matter in a month. Besides there are an emotional responsibility for yourself... and risks... STD's, pregnancy etc... it's a little sadening when people are 12, 13 when they loose it...

I'm still a virgin... muahaha :)

I don't know anyone with as much self-control as myself.

Society tells them that sex makes you cool and that its not wrong.

The value of marriage no longer exists therefore marriages morals and rules no longer exists.

I am almost 20 and just lost my virginity.

I think that its social upbringing. I admit if I were to live where I grew up when I was way younger I would have lost my virginity a lot sooner. When I hung out with my friends we normally hung out with their parents, and their parents treated us like adults. I actually remember having a conversation with one couple about sex.

I think that parents need to be parents NOT their best friends. My mom never talked to me that way. I never had a boyfriend till sophomore year in high school.

Talking to my old friends, all of them either dropped out of high school, have children, do drugs, or are currently in jail.

I am happy that I moved, I am now going to a Community College for Early Childhood Education. I love my job, and I'm very happy with my boyfriend.

So like I said, I think that parents need to become more attentive.

I still am wondering why people are blaming parents. Wouldn't you think that after a certain age even the age of 13 you can think for yourself? I was/am the wild child of my family. I lost my virginity at the age of 16. My parents had no clue whatsoever. Kids have sex young for many reasons. Like you get tired of fighting the battle against your hormones and sex feels amazing. Yeah sometimes pressure is involved and I even know someone who got drunk and said yes when sober she would have said no. There are many different reasons for it. But seriously people its not the parents! In fact if parents don't talk to thir kids about sex they actually start having it earlier because they don't know any better. Why is everyone so quick to jump to blame the parents? Anytime a child however old being 5 or 55 everyone says this is the result of bad parenting. People have sex because they choose to. But more young teenagers wouldn't be having sex if they were informed of the adult consequnces that come from sex instead parents thinking they are "good" parents because society says its better to not even talk about sex at all to your kids

Its not always the parents fault entirely... but the parents are at least partially responsible.

If they had instilled limits and morals into the children's lives growing up rather then let them do whatever they want as has been in fashion in recent years. If they had paid attention to who their kids friends are... and who they hang out with.

Yeah kids are going to do what they want IF they are allowed to. Without proper upbringing and boundries kids will usually make the wrong choices. Add that in with running with other undisciplined kids and you have a disaster in the making. Its not if but when something bad will happen.

. But more young teenagers wouldn't be having sex if they were informed of the adult consequnces that come from sex instead parents thinking they are "good" parents because society says its better to not even talk about sex at all to your kids

THAT is why I blame parents.

I haven't read all the posts so Im sorry if Ive repeated someone's opinion. Im still a virgin but some other people I know aren't, I kind of think girls sometimes have sex so they can have more expirence for their true lovers (Marriage), so they can give them more pleasure and fun. Some girls are just plain horny. Some girls think its "cool" to have sex while being so young (As the same for drugs), so they can go to school or something saying "Hey I had sex with Johnny last night" and the other girls will go "Omigoshh, Lucky!" and guys may think "mmm she has expirence" and may find that atractive. I believe that some girls feel special being chosen to have sex with, giving them confindence of their body and all. The girl may be thinking "hmm well if he wanted and did have sex with me he probably thought I was good looking". Some girls, no matter how many times they have been through Sex Ed, still don't fully understand the conceiscenes, they may think 'Oh that's like 1 out of a 100, it will never happen to me' Sometimes they want bragging rights so they can feel more ''mature''.


I also believe its not all the parents fault, there's so many reasons of why its not the parents blame. Also one of the things is that now a days there are A lot of Sex Ed classes (or people coming in) even in Elem (well were Im from), my first Sex Ed was in Gr 4, around the end, and it was repeated for 5,6, and 7 (Soon to be in 8). Its just some still don't get it fully lodged into their brain properly?

It seems like most girls are losing their virginity as early as 13 yrs old. There no longer is a need to wait untill marriage. Why do they no longer care?


Sex is glamorized all around... many television programs geared towards teens will have highly suggestive scenerios. It is difficult to find programs that appeal to many teens that don't at least occasionally have some sort of sexual tension involved between a couple of the characters. Some of the music that is popular with teens is of an obvious sexual nature... they don't even try to obscure it.

The majority know they shouldn't be having sex, otherwise they wouldn't hide it from their parents. They know the consequences, even if they don't know all of the details, as is evident from some of the posts on the pregnancy board. The problem is no one thinks those consequences will happen to them and it often is not until they have a real scare before they take the time to actually get some more information.
Sure some parents don't do a great job of parenting. Some kids will have sex to try and fill the void left from uninterested parents, but many kids, with very good parents, will still make that decision.

Kids get many mixed messages in regard to growing up and sex... from various sources in society... school, television, parents, their religion, friends, movies, music, magazines, etc.. Sadly, it shouldn't really be surprising so many get into trouble when you think about it.

I agree that parents shouldn't get all the blame, but I do think environment plays a part in it, both when it comes to what your parents tell you, what type of friends you have etc. I do agree that parents should be parents and not really act as your friends. (lol but that extends to more then sex)