Kerby Anderson

A report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) finds that teenage virgins are healthier than other students who are sexually active. At first, you might think that is merely an obvious conclusion since virgins are not likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD). But the conclusions are based on many other factors as well. Students who are virgins actually rate significantly and consistently better in nearly all health-related behaviors and measures than their sexually active peers. Let’s look at a few examples. Sexually active teens are 3,300 percent more likely to smoke daily than their virginal peers. And same-sex and bisexual sexually active teens are 9,500 percent more likely than virginal teens. The same dichotomy exists with dating violence. Sexually active teens are 260 percent more likely to experience some form of physical violence in dating relationships. Same-sex and bisexual sexually active teens are 683 percent more likely than their virginal peers to experience violence. As you might expect there is a real difference in terms of alcohol and drug use. Sexually active teens are 337 percent more likely to binge drink than teen virgins. They are also 336 percent more likely to use marijuana and 500 percent more likely to have injected a drug than teen virgins. All statistics reinforce the idea that sexual chastity and involved parenting make a difference in the lives of teenagers. Some of these activities may not be directly related to being a virgin or being sexually active, but they do show a strong correlation between two different mindsets. Teens that control their sexual urges are usually making wise decisions about other aspects of their lives.