LETTERS IN VIEW : Readers Distressed, Not Surprised by Teen Sex Scandal

I was distressed to read about the number of young teen-agers engaging in sex, many with multiple partners.

The lack of respect for one another--particularly on the part of the boys, dumping girls after one or two encounters--was really sad.

Most frightening is the realization of the inevitability of many unwanted pregnancies and abortions, and the specter of AIDS cutting down many of these young people when they are in their 20s.

Please run a comparable article on the 46% of students in grades 9-12 or the 30% of high school seniors who are not engaging in sex. What are their reasons and attitudes? What parts do lack of opportunity, shyness, moral or religious standards or just plain good sense play?

The responses of these young people should be publicized too.

JAN ARENZ

South Pasadena