Two years ago, the Philippine Daily Inquirer published and article entitled, "Sex and the Filipino Youth." Among other things, the article said that "one of the more prominent issues" affecting our young people today is precisely the issue of sex. One fifth of our population (or 16.5 million of 82 million Filipinos) belong to the adolescent sector (between ages 15 and 24). A nation wide study, says the article, revealed that 23 percent of the youth engage in premarital sex. "according to studies, 42 percent of the youth know that their friends engage in premarital sex. Smoking, drinking, drug use, suicidal thoughts and physical violence are also linked with premarital sex."
The article also mentioned that "36 percent of the 400,000 abortions in the country was performed on adolescents. Teenagers account for 16 percent of induced abortions."
Moreover, "62 percent of reported sexually transmitted infections belong to the adolescent group. Similarly, 62 percent of newly-reported HIV/AIDS infections belong to this group. Lastly, there are more prostitutes from 15 to 19-year-old group than the 20 to 24-year old bracket. Incidence of paid sex is higher among those in school and those who are not married."
(Source: PDI, August 3, 2005)
I am sure there are more worrying facts out there right now.
WHAT HAPPENED? Are we not a Catholic country?
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