Trends in Teenage Sexual Behavior and Births in Europe

Authors

• Osmo Kontula

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23979/fypr.45002

Keywords:

sexual behavior, sexual initiation, births, teenagers, Europe, sexual and reproductive health, sexual policy

Abstract

Sexual and reproductive behavior, and outcomes of that behavior, are treated in this
article in the framework of sexual and reproductive health. The focus is on teenagers.
European trends in sexual behavior and in fertility/births from the 1980s to the late
1990s are presented.
The transition in sexual initiation started first in the Nordic countries, then in many
Western European and Central European countries and finally, one generation later,
in Southern and Eastern Europe. The age of women at first sexual intercourse
decreased several years almost everywhere in Europe. Due to improvements in sex
education and in the use of contraceptives, teenage birth rates have been declining,
at the same time, around Europe.
There is a serious need for sexual health prevention campaigns and related services
in Europe. Work for improvement of sexual and reproductive health and rights can
be successful only in a society where there is openness and social tolerance on
sexual issues.