Teen Pregnancy, STDs, Peer Pressure … NOW is the time to talk to your teen about the severe – and possibly deadly - consequences of being sexually active. This website is designed to enlighten you and help you make your conversations easier and more persuasive.

The fact is, the Milwaukee community ranks second in the nation for the percentage of total teen births (1) and Wisconsin ranks number one for the highest birth rates in African-American teens.(2)

The reported cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Wisconsin are growing steadily each year. Of the nearly 10,000 cases of STDs in Wisconsin accounted for in 2004 by 15 to 19 year olds, 67% originated in Southeastern Wisconsin and over 75% were reported by females. (3)

Your teen faces peer pressure - including teasing and labeling – every day. Further, the media and music industries portray teen sexuality as fashionable, glamorous and a right of passage for today’s youths.

Your voice is not only important, it is critical, to ensuring your teen makes healthy life choices.

Sources: (3) The Right Start for America’s Newborns (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2005). (4) The Right Start for America’s Newborns (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2005). (5) United Way, If Truth Be Told, www.unitedwaymilwaukee.org. (3) Wisconsin STD program data, http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/STD/pdf_files/Milw%20Co/STD_Youth_2004.pdf