The term "adolescent sterility" refers to relative rather than absolute sterility. That is, in relation to persons in their twenties, persons in their teens are often less fertile. Between the onset of menstruation and the first possible conception, there is usually an interval of about three or four years during which the female is relatively sterile. In boys, the first ejaculation-which corresponds to the first menstruation in girls-may be low in sperm, also indicating relative sterility (Montagu, October 1963).
There are known cases in which fertile eggs are produced and pregnancies occur
before menstruation has begun for the human female, and the average female
releases mature eggs only sporadically, if at all, during the first few years after she
has begun to menstruate. It is probable that sterility is not complete, and more
probable that there are eggs released in that period, but regular ovulation in each
menstrual cycle probably does not begin in the average female until she is sixteen to
eighteen years of age. The average age for fully reproductive maturity in women has
been estimated at approximately twenty-three years. Precise studies of this are still to
be made.
According to Rutledge (1964-65, p. 54), if contraception has been learned about
accidentally, it will be used unwisely, if at all. Moreover, the majority of teenagers in
the United States learn about it accidentally. It is neither taught in most homes nor in
most high schools. In fact, when learned about accidentally, youth may even have a
disdain for the use of any contraception. They tend to take a foolhardy attitude,
believing that they can get away with it. Contraceptives are not readily available to
adolescents in all states, and the use of contraceptive measures is often naive and
slipshod (Martinson, 1966). Even today, 30 percent of adolescent girls in the United
States report that there is no place where they could go to get contraceptives
(Sorensen, 1973, p. 319).
There are many misconceptions about conception and
contraception among American youth. Konopka (1963, p. 4) found youth believing that
one cannot become pregnant if one has intercourse only once, and that the rhythm
method and the withdrawal method are secure.
Sorensen found that only 55 percent of all non-virgin adolescents reported that
anything had been done to cut down on the risk of first coitus resulting in a pregnancy
(Sorensen, 1973, p. 313). But of those who took some precaution the first time, 78
percent reported that they always took precautions in the month previous to the
study. Girls who used contraceptives most commonly reported using birth control pills
(33 percent); the second most frequently recorded method used by girls is withdrawal
of the boy's penis before ejaculation (17 percent) (Sorensen, 1973, p. 315). Only a small
minority of boys currently experiencing coitus always know what kind of birth control
method is being used! (Sorensen, 1973, p. 318). Those who use some method
themselves most commonly report the condom (25 percent) and withdrawal (20
percent) (Sorensen, 1913, p. 317).
The following cases deal with ignorance in regard to contraception, lack of use of
contraceptives, sporadic use of contraceptives, availability of contraceptives,
preparedness, and various methods of contraception used by US youth.
Ignorance of contraceptives
I heard the boys talk about "rubbers," but I did not know what they
were talking about or what their function was until one night a boy
told a joke to a group of boys of which I was a member. This joke
cleared everything up for me.
We had absolutely no information on contraceptives and didn't
know whore we could get any information. My steady and I just
didn't dare go all the way.
The only contraceptive measure I knew about was the "rubber." I
tried to use the "rubber," but I had trouble keeping an erection. She
told me it would injure me and she didn't want me to use it. I did
not know any better so I took it off.