90’s FAMILY

Teen-Agers Staying Virgins Longer Than We Thought

Boys and girls are staying virgins longer than most adults think, according to a new report.

The Alan Guttmacher Institute said Monday that 62% of adults assume the average teen-ager has sex before turning 16. But 70% of all boys and girls are still virgins when they reach 16, and 18% abstain until at least their 20th birthday, the institute said.

Among girls who do have sex before 15, 60% said they were raped or coerced in some unspecified manner, the institute said, quoting a 1987 study.

Teen sex “is not as widespread, and does not begin as early, as most adults believe,” the report said.

The institute, which studies reproductive issues and is affiliated with Planned Parenthood, based its report on research it primarily conducted in the 1990s and the research of others.

Among other findings:

* Two-thirds of today’s sexually active teens used some type of contraception the first time they had sex, and at least 70% use contraception regularly.

* Adolescents account for 30% of out-of-wedlock births today, compared to 50% in 1970.

Nail Polish Ranks No. 1 With Young Cosmetics Users

Fingernails are important to teen-age girls, judging by how much nail polish they use. Simmons Market Research Bureau surveyed 3,000 teen-agers and found that nail polish was their favorite cosmetic, with 71.6% of the young women saying they used it. Lipstick was a close second, used by 66.9 %, followed by mascara at 59.9%, eye shadow at 54.5% and blush at 49.9%.

The survey also found working teen-agers are more likely to use mascara, blush and foundation makeup than those who don’t work--an indication that at an early age, women understand the importance of making a good impression on the job.

Popular ‘Power Rangers’ Make Their Way to Kids Books

Grosset & Dunlap has published four chapter books for kids 6 to 11 years of age based on the popular TV program, “The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.” The titles are “It’s Morphin Time!” by William McCay, “Megazord to the Rescue!” by Cathy East Dubowski, “The Terror Toad” by Jean Waricha and “Rita’s Revenge” by Rusty Hallock. Each book costs $3.95.

* Family File appears Wednesdays on the ‘90s Family page.