Say it with me, “Masturbation!” Yes! Most people do it — yet so many people worry about doing it! That's because there’s a lot of myths out there that masturbation is dirty, dangerous, or something to be embarrassed about doing. But the truth is:

Masturbation is safe and healthy.
People of all ages do it.
Guys do it, and girls do it too.
Single people and people in relationships do it.
Some people do it a few times a day, and some do it a few times a year.

Elizabeth Randall's blog

Quiz Explores Tough Decisions Teens Have to Make About Sex

Peer providers from California to New York and everywhere in between are working to promote the 5th Annual National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy taking place on May 3, 2006.

You can encourage the teens you serve to take a short and engaging on-line quiz. This informative quiz asks teens to think about what they would do in a number of tough and realistic sexual situations. You can click here to connect to the quiz any time during the month of May.

Two New Reports: Guys and Latino Youth Talk About Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Two new reports were published earlier this year. One of the reports talks about the role guys play in teen pregnancy prevention. The other one talks about how to work with Latino youth.

William and Yedid Face Teen Parenthood

By WILLIAM SANCHEZ, 17 and YEDID BARRERA, 15

William: I was 17 years old and my girlfriend was 14 when this story started. My girl was my life. I would see her in the morning, in the evening, and again at night. We were having unprotected sex all the time. I knew that one day I was going to get my girlfriend pregnant, but as long as that day didn’t come, I had no worries. After a while, we decided to go to the clinic close to my house for a pregnancy test.

Free Downloads- Ethnic Teens and Pregnancy

In this new series of user-friendly fact sheets, the National Campaign provides free downloads about teen pregnancy and birth control use among a variety of ethnic teen populations in the US. These fact sheets provide general facts and stats and the latest national information about Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, Latino, Native American, and White teens. They examine the length and breadth of the issue and examine the key issue of diversity within each one of the different groups.


More Education and Action Needed to Reduce Teen Pregnancy in USA

Please Note: The numbers shown in this section are from the most current information we can get from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (2005).

A Baby with a Baby -- This is My Story

By ANA CASTILLO, 17

Some girls may dream about having a cute boyfriend that’s popular, when in reality you don’t need all that. My baby’s daddy was cute, had a car and was all geared up. That’s what a girl my age would want. We were happy together. We used to do everything together. We were inseparable. We were so in love -- or at least that’s what I thought.

Sex Has Consequences

Sex has consequences: While preparing this issue of Peer Provider News, we were happy to learn that teen pregnancy has gone down 40% between 1995 – 2005, thanks, in part. to the fine work that Peer Providers do in their communities.

Do You Know How to Use a Condom Properly

Decisions, decisions:

Condoms come in lots of colors and textures these days but only two things matter: They should be made of plastic or latex (which is way more reliable than animal tissue condoms) and they should fit snugly. (Yes, they do come in different lengths, widths, and thicknesses.)

Inspection:

Condom packages show an expiration date. If a condom is past the date, or looks dry, brittle, stiff, or sticky, it shouldn't be used. Keeping a few spares on hand is a good idea in case one rips while being put on.

EC Video Campaign

In an effort to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies among youth, California Family Health Council, Inc., has launched a new video series targeting teens to raise their awareness of Emergency Contraception (EC) as an effective back up birth control method.

The series includes three 30-second video spots that will be broadcast on local cable networks communicating important messages to teens about EC. The key messages are:

Keeping Peer Provider and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs Alive & Kickin’!

Teen staff at East Valley Community Health Centers have worked hard to set a chill vibe at their clinics. They have teen-friendly, private waiting rooms, goodie bags full of condoms and information, and this year they even sponsored a Halloween haunted house!

The set-up at the sites help teens feel comfortable when they visit the Teen Clinics at East Valley Community Health Centers.

Subscribe
Syndicate content