什么叫柏拉图式爱情:拒绝无知：青少年性行为

The number of American teenagers experimenting with sex is on the rise. Unlimited access to technology and information is thought to be a leading contributor to the increased sexual awareness of youths. Statistics indicate that the average age at which teens have their first sexual encounter is 17. They also show that by the age of 18, over 60 percent of 18-year-olds, both male and female, have had sexual intercourse. As a teen, it is important to know the repercussions of becoming sexually active.

美国青少年中有性经历的人数在逐年上升，未经过滤的技术和信息被认为是导致青少年性觉醒的最主要原因。统计表明美国青少年初次性行为的年龄为17岁，数据还表明超过60%的18岁的青少年（男女皆有）有过性经历。作为一个青少年，了解性行为会导致的不良后果还是很有必要的。

Impact of Teen Sex

青少年性行为的影响

Studies have indicated that casual sex has an adverse impact on the academic performance of teen students. Some of the causes for these are unwanted pregnancies and the fear or the aftermath of contracting STDs. The increase in teen pregnancy rates and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in teens is causing parents some concern.

研究表明青少年性行为对学业有不良影响，由此引起的后果有：意外怀孕以及对性病的恐惧或后遗症。青少年群体中上升的早孕和染上性病的比例正在引起家长们的关注

Dealing with Teen Pregnancies

早孕问题的解决办法

Figures show that about 40 percent of young American women become pregnant before they reach 20 years of age. Becoming pregnant at a young age is also harmful to the mother’s health. Often teens do not realize that they might be pregnant and this leads to poor prenatal care.

数据指出大约有40%的美国青年女性在她们二十岁之前就怀孕过，而早孕对母亲的健康同样有危害。很多时候少女妈妈并没有意识到她们会怀孕，而由此会导致糟糕的产前保健。

There are various ways of avoiding teen pregnancy and becoming just another statistic. Using contraceptives and abstinence are the best methods of preventing teen pregnancy.

有许多方法能够避免早孕的发生，如果能采取这样的措施那么统计数据会有很大的不同。使用避孕药以及禁欲是防止早孕的最好办法。

Publicly funded family planning has also been found to help in preventing unwanted pregnancies and abortions. This includes providing contraceptive services, setting up of family planning centers, free health checkups, and referrals.

公共家庭计划已经开始着手协助防止意外怀孕和堕胎。这项计划包括提供避孕服务，建立公共家庭中心，免费的体检以及转诊。

Preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

性传染病的防治

Sexual health services are available at special clinics that are devoted to the detection, cure, and prevention of various STDs. As with any other ailment, prevention is definitely better than cure in the case of sexually transmitted diseases. An STD can affect anyone irrespective of socio-economic background.

Many teens do not understand the seriousness of an STD. It is not just a temporary inconvenience and if it remains undetected, it can lead to a host of other complications such as AIDS, HIV, or infertility.

许多青少年并没有意识到染上性病的严重性，这并不是一时的不便，如果它一直没有被发现，那么它就很有可能导致其他的病毒的寄主，诸如AIDS和HIV，或者不育。

The younger a person is when he or she first becomes sexually active, the greater his or her risk for STDs. Promiscuity is another key factor that leads to STDs. Hence, it is important to realize that casual sex is simply not worth the risk of falling gravely ill. It is equally important to remember that condoms are the only safeguard against such diseases. Other contraceptives such as birth control pills can help prevent pregnancy but not STDs.

第一次性行为的年龄越低，染上性病的风险越高。滥交是另一个导致性病的关键原因。因此意识到以下这一点是很重要的：冒着染上重病的风险只为贪图一时之快是很不值得的。同样重要的是要知道安全套是有效防止这类疾病传染的唯一办法，其他避孕措施诸如避孕药只能防止意外怀孕而不能阻止性病的传播。

The Importance of Sex Education

There are numerous resources available in the form of books, newsletters and the internet which can help you educate yourself about sex. The government is also launching a campaign in support of sex education programs.  Let these be your guide and help you live smarter – and not put your future at risk.

现在你从书籍，新闻以及网络等各种渠道获取并自学性方面的知识。政府方面也兴起了支持性教育的计划。希望这些能够引导你，帮助你更聪明得生活，不会将你的未来置于风险之中。