Admissions Statistics for Saint Josephs College in Indiana

Admissions Statistics for Saint Joseph's College in Indiana To apply to Saint Josephs College, interested students will need to submit an application, along with official high school transcripts and scores from either the SAT or the ACT. The school has an acceptance rate of 77%. Those with good grades and test scores have a good chance of being admittedif your test scores fall within or above the ranges listed below, you are on track for admission. If you have any questions about the admissions process or application requirements, be sure to visit Saint Josephs website, or get in touch with someone from the admissions office. Admissions Data (2016): Saint Josephs College Acceptance Rate: 77%Test Scores 25th / 75th PercentileSAT Critical Reading: 425  / 515SAT Math: 430 / 530SAT Writing: - / -What these SAT numbers meanACT Composite: 21  / 24ACT English: 16  / 24ACT Math: 17 / 23What these ACT numbers mean Saint Josephs College Description: Founded in 1889, Saint Joseph’s College is a four-year, private, Roman Catholic college located on a 180-acre campus in Rensselaer, Indiana, an hour and a half from both Chicago and Indianapolis. Students come from 23 states and a majority live on campus. With roughly 1,200 students and a student/faculty ratio of 14 to 1, SJC offers an intimate college experience in which students get to work closely with their professors. Saint Josephs College students can choose from 27 majors, 35 minors, and 9 pre-professional programs. The top majors are nursing, biology, and business administration. The Princeton Review has frequently named Saint Joe among the â€Å"Best Regional Colleges.† SJC has a long list of student clubs and organizations on campus, as well as eight intramural sports including flag football, ultimate frisbee, and dodgeball. For intercollegiate sports, the Saint Josephs College Pumas compete in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) with 18 teams, 9 men’s and 9 women’s. Enrollment (2016): Total Enrollment: 972  (950 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 48% Male / 52% Female93% Full-time Costs (2016 - 17): Tuition and Fees: $30,080Books: $900 (why so much?)Room and Board: $9,480Other Expenses: $1,420Total Cost: $41,880 Saint Josephs College Financial Aid (2015  - 16): Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 96%Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 96%Loans: 75%Average Amount of AidGrants: $22,294Loans: $7,117 Academic Programs: Most Popular Majors:  Biology, Business, Criminal Justice, Elementary Education, Nursing, Psychology Graduation and Retention Rates: First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 69%4-Year Graduation Rate: 43%6-Year Graduation Rate: 50% Intercollegiate Athletic Programs: Mens Sports:  Football, Baseball, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Track, and FieldWomens Sports:  Softball, Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Cross Country, Volleyball Data Source: National Center for Educational Statistics If You Like Saint Josephs College, You May Also Like These Schools: Ball State University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphValparaiso University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphHanover College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphPurdue University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphIndiana University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphTrine University: Profile  University of St. Francis: Profile  Saint Xavier University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Indianapolis: Profile  Butler University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph

The History of Mass Media in Haiti essays

The History of Mass Media in Haiti essays While the first newspaper began circulating in Haiti in 1724 during the French colonial days, the independent country's mass media history began almost century later in 1804. During the 19th century more media outlets began to proliferate in this now independent county. However, all this changed during the American occupation because free press in Haiti was stifled. From 1913-1934 the Americans passed laws to regulate the press sector and even jailed outspoken journalists like Georges Petit. Then, in the late l930's started the era of broadcast radio with the emergence of the transistor radio which made its way into the isolated villages ("The Mass Media"). It was brought by Protestants who wanted a more efficient way to spread the gospel. The Protestants and Roman Catholics soon began running their own radio stations which they used for both proselytizing and influencing political viewpoints of Haitians on a national scale ("The Mass Media"). As mass media began to grow in Haiti, political messages were further able to spread throughout the country. Sometimes for good and sometimes for bad. Like the Americans before him, Jean-Claude Duvalier tried to censor the media and limit what type of information was given to the masses. Thus began a great struggle between free press and government censorship in Haiti. The only time that there was somewhat of a truce between the government and mass media was during Jean-Betrand Aristide's time in office which was unfortunately cut short by a military coup and the opportunity for free media was veritable squelched with Aristide's removal in 1991. By the late 1980's there were about twenty-four radio stations broadcasting in Haiti, most in the nation's capital Port-au-Prince ("The Mass Media"). There were also several newspapers and other journals published on a regular basis. However, the 1980's was a turbulent time for independent journalists and free press because of Jean-Claude Duvalie...

New Media in China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

New Media in China - Essay Example (Ditong, 2009). This was unexpected of China. As in the past, Chinese media had never broadcasted instantly news related to natural disasters without the consultation and direction from the Chinese Government. But this was the first time it had behaved differently. In the 1980’s reporting of such disasters was not allowed as it was considered not to be in the best interest of China. It was thought that reporting such events would harm the country’s good reputation. With time, China’s perspective regarding the broadcasting of news related to natural disasters changed to becoming more open and less introvert. And now reporting such events is no longer a politically sensitive issue. This was an example of one medium change among the different forms of Chinese media with the passage of time. All Chinese media experienced similar change as the world advanced. History: Traditional Media to New Media in China With the change of dynasties and rulers, China experienced ev olutionary changes in its media reforms. Starting from the 1956, it was the first time that a Chinese computer scientist edited the article on computer theory. In the year 1978, Den Xiaoping, the Time Magazine person of the year, became the ruler of China and he brought a transition from planned to a market economy and also the existing Chinese television channel kept its name as CCTV. In 1979, a first advertisement of a toothpaste was published in Tianjin Daily and a first TV commercial was broadcasted. Furthermore, the â€Å"Stars†, a group of artists, made artwork that was not acceptable by the Chinese authority, so they were never allowed to display their works. However, they displayed their portraits outside the Chinese Art Gallery shocking the citizens of China who were culture oriented and the paintings for away from their culture. In 1980, the first woman’s magazine was published on July 1 talking about women’s health, fashion and beauty related issues. In 1982, the Chinese Government declared the Advertisement Management Temporary Regulations. These regulations were not like forced laws and their purpose was to support the advertisement industry and make them progress. Western rock music was discussed for the first time in 1983 in a Chinese magazine called the New Observer (translated). Reforms were introduced by the Chinese Government in that year which decentralized the television and radio broadcasting units to some extent. In 1984, when the Kong Fu television series started airing, the tv series from other countries also began being broadcasted which included the Mexican, Brazilian and Japanese serials. Furthermore, an overseas magazine got published on contract with the New York Magazine. In 1986, many extraordinary changes took place. A global advertising company established its office in China. Secondly, a first email is sent from one Chinese scientist to another living in Switzerland. After another ten years, the internet became available to the common public. In June 1989, China was experiencing an internal conflict which was later named Tiananmen Square Massacre by the West. This conflict was broadcasted live by the CNN in Beijing. For the first time, an internal conflict of China came to be watched by millions of people in the world. However; the government fired two of the CCTV representatives who had participated in that live broadcast. In 1994, an English language newspaper in China created its website which also published foreign news in its content which was

Aviation Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Aviation Security - Essay Example Besides screening the passengers and the carry-on baggage, the screening of checked baggage is also carried out. The motive behind the checked baggage screening is to detect the presence of bombs. No one can deny the possibility of terrorism onboard and it is imperative that proper security measures be taken. Such screening procedures are the primary sources of detecting any threat before hand and ensuring security of both the passengers as well as the aviation staff. Both the metal detector and the X-ray machine were found to be only as effective as the individuals operating them. It was discovered that the large volume of passengers going through the screening process produced the "assembly line" syndrome, causing security personnel to become much less vigilant. This coupled with terrorists' success in disguising weapons by dismantling them and distributing them among themselves, made it all too easy to circumvent this security measure. The biggest challenge is to prevent the civil aircraft from becoming a weapon of destruction. Until the September 11 attacks, the airport terminal was viewed as the first line of protection for commercial aviation against the most dangerous types of terrorist action. Based on available evidence, it is unknown whether the September 11 assailants used devious means to avoid detection of what they were carrying through pre-board screening or whether they had any "inside" help, but it is clear that under the then governmental rules and operation procedures they could have legally boarded the aircraft with the implements that they eventually used as weapons. In the wake of September 11, remedial attention focused on the carry-on screening system. There was an attempt to provide a tighter definitional mesh to screen-out potential "dual-use" utensils that could be used as weapons from being introduced into the passenger cabin. There was also a growing realization that the system was not working effectively to begin with. The more the public learned about the system the less they wanted to fly. The more the private companies lobbied to keep their markets, the more irresponsible they seemed. The more it became apparent that the governmental department with the mission to oversee this system had utterly failed, the more giving the actual operation of the screening to the same governmental department became a litmus test for security correctness. In words of Hiltzik, 2001, on September 11, "The system worked the way it was intended.... For three decades, it has been preoccupied with looking for guns and explosives rather than for dangerous people. That ... was its vulnerability. The terrorists did not breach the nation's airline security system, they slipped through its loopholes." (Hiltzik, 2001) Thus, a second type of screening has found renewed attention: scrutiny of passenger bona fides and greater focus on those with suspicious backgrounds. It is just common sense that people boarding an aircraft, and thereby gaining access to a vulnerable part of the national transportation infrastructure, should meet certain

Social Work Practice Essay Example for Free

Social Work Practice Essay THE SUMMARY: The article of Erlinda A. Cordero, Direct Practice in Social Work: An Overview, discuss the social work being a dynamic profession and how its practice should be ready in facing the paradigm shift. The author gave historical background on social work practice before 1970 and how these practices evolve due to varied problems and situations that arise from time to time. Also, she talks on how a state of the art practice should be administered in practicing social work where she emphasizes that for an advance direct practice, such as clinical practice, one is expected to be a holder of Master of Science in Social Work degree. The author gave a quick discussion on the philosophy of direct practice and how the instrumental values evolved and eventually became the principles or guidelines to the practice of social work. The length of the author’s discussion involves the role of social workers in direct practice and the helping process. Towards the end of her article, she discourse the implication of the roles and the helping process of social work both in education and practice. At the end part, she tackles the issues and the emerging trends in social work. Look more:  social process theories essay THE REACTION: Reading the article makes me realize the rapid evolution of social work practice due to the changing events and situations and how the author wanted the social work practitioners to adapt in this change by narrowing the gap between academe and practice. Although I am not a Bachelor of Social Work degree holder I came to appreciate the importance of both social work as a profession and the social workers as the implementing person. My current work challenges me to understand the underlying principles, processes and policies in the field of social work. I think it is my responsibility to deliver quality services to my clients, and to do that, I should equipped myself with the knowledge pertaining to the practice of social work profession. I have a full understanding of the author’s points on her article, and somewhat I agree that this paradigm shift is really a big thing to the profession for it calls for acting various roles at the same time, in facing clients with multi-problems. The demand for having a generalist  perspective is deemed necessary to address this change. I would like deal on the last part of the article that talks on the issues and emerging trends. First point is on her statement â€Å"direct practice in social work demands much from both the practitioners in the field and the social work educators preparing the future professional social workers,† which I understand is very important since a cycle of exchanging ideas and experiences foster additional knowledge to the educators to give to their students who will eventually be a social worker in the field. Direct practice however involves the provision of services to clients (individuals, couples, families and groups) through casework and group work where I think and is not very sure if academe social workers had really a chance of doing this. By this, I think it is important that a registered social worker be allowed to do clinical social work practice. Second point is on her statement â€Å"the diversity of problems and situations require not only the knowledge, skills and attitude to acquire competencies for practice for practice but equally the genuine motivation and commitment to the profession,† which is very true, for motivation and commitment speaks on the passion and the reason on the question, â€Å"why are you doing t his?† For my case, I think the commitment and motivation is there but the knowledge, skills and attitude in social work is something I need to work on. Only now that I realize that the reasons why I took public administration and nursing are basically a combination of the reason why I am engaging myself in the social work profession. That is to be in a helping profession. Lastly, I want to react on her statement â€Å"like most professions in the human service arena, social work is undergoing a shift from the â€Å"disease paradigm† to the strength perspective.† Due to the demand on levelling with the current change and development, social workers should not be tied on the reason they chose the profession because of its need but basically because of the reason that they have this â€Å"spark†, a spark that fuels them to be a committed and competent social worker. For me, I acknowledge the need for social workers today, the workers that will help the sectors of children, women, PWDs, poor, older persons, etc. to be socially capable of restoring, maintaining, improving and developing their lives but I also acknowledge that to be the best social worker, one should evaluate and understand the reason why they are in the profession and how ready they are to be of service to these clients. I am so honoured to be exposed in this profession and I really admire social workers who can help change clients’ lives. I know for myself that eventually I will be one of the best social worker, committed and competent to deliver social services. This is my goal, and somehow having the decision of taking this course is a step closer to achieving this goal. APRIL KATE K. AMADA

Shakespeares Othello - Essay on Iago as the Hero of Othello? :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

Iago as the Hero of Othello?  Ã‚   In the play Othello, by Shakespeare, the character Iago is perceived to be a sinister and wicked individual to readers who have just read the novel. If people give more thought to Iago's character and the actions that he took in order to attain the things that he wanted, then they can find some admirable traits in him. There is not one character in the novel that is entirely good or entirely bad. Each character is complex in his/her own way. After reading this Shakespearean work of art, I found that if the reader wanted to find fault in everybody then they could. Does this make the characters villains? Maybe it makes the characters individuals who are subject to certain emotions and problems that up rise and occur during the struggle for power. From the start of this play, friction between characters was prevalent. What's a Shakespearean play without conflict of characters? In Act One of Scene One, Othello angered both Iago and Roderigo when a promotion was given to Cassio. In line nine of Act One, Scene One, Iago says, "In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Off-capp'd to him." Iago wanted and even pleaded lieutenancy. When the reader learns of that, then the play starts to unfold. From this point on, Iago holds on to his anger and does several things to get back at Othello and everybody who is around him. In lines 36-38 of the same act and scene, Iago states "preferment goes by letter and affection, and not by old gradation, where each second stood heir to the first." By saying that, Iago showed that he took Othello's promotion to another person extremely offensive. Iago brushed the insult off of his shoulders and posed as if he had forgotten about it. He stated, "We cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly follow'd" (Act One, Scene One, Lines 44-45). A master was what Iago was determined to be. Iago was the character in the play that held the trust of an abundance of characters. How worthy of the trust was he though? He played games with everybody’s emotions. To a certain extent, the people who put trust into him are at fault also. Iago seldom told people things directly. He spoke of things happening in his dreams or assumptions that he made. Shakespeare's Othello - Essay on Iago as the Hero of Othello? :: GCSE English Literature Coursework Iago as the Hero of Othello?  Ã‚   In the play Othello, by Shakespeare, the character Iago is perceived to be a sinister and wicked individual to readers who have just read the novel. If people give more thought to Iago's character and the actions that he took in order to attain the things that he wanted, then they can find some admirable traits in him. There is not one character in the novel that is entirely good or entirely bad. Each character is complex in his/her own way. After reading this Shakespearean work of art, I found that if the reader wanted to find fault in everybody then they could. Does this make the characters villains? Maybe it makes the characters individuals who are subject to certain emotions and problems that up rise and occur during the struggle for power. From the start of this play, friction between characters was prevalent. What's a Shakespearean play without conflict of characters? In Act One of Scene One, Othello angered both Iago and Roderigo when a promotion was given to Cassio. In line nine of Act One, Scene One, Iago says, "In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Off-capp'd to him." Iago wanted and even pleaded lieutenancy. When the reader learns of that, then the play starts to unfold. From this point on, Iago holds on to his anger and does several things to get back at Othello and everybody who is around him. In lines 36-38 of the same act and scene, Iago states "preferment goes by letter and affection, and not by old gradation, where each second stood heir to the first." By saying that, Iago showed that he took Othello's promotion to another person extremely offensive. Iago brushed the insult off of his shoulders and posed as if he had forgotten about it. He stated, "We cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly follow'd" (Act One, Scene One, Lines 44-45). A master was what Iago was determined to be. Iago was the character in the play that held the trust of an abundance of characters. How worthy of the trust was he though? He played games with everybody’s emotions. To a certain extent, the people who put trust into him are at fault also. Iago seldom told people things directly. He spoke of things happening in his dreams or assumptions that he made.

Adolescent Sexuality

SEXUALITY OVERVIEW Most teens and pre-teens have a lot of questions about sex and sexuality. This is normal and natural. It also is normal to feel shy or embarrassed about raising these issues with adults or healthcare providers. Sexual development is an important part of health, similar to other measures of physical growth, such as height and weight. Sexual behavior, which is related to sexual development, has important health implications for everyone, and especially for teens. It is particularly important that to be well informed about all aspects of sex and sexual health. Some basic information on sex and sexuality is provided in this review, which may answer some questions and raise others. Find an adult you feel comfortable with — perhaps a healthcare provider, parent, or teacher — to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. SEXUALITY: WHAT IS IT? Human sexuality is more than just whether you are male or female, and it is more than just the act of sex. It is a complex idea that involves your physical make-up, how you think about yourself, and how you feel about others and the society you live in. Here are some of the things that contribute to sexuality: Anatomic sex — Anatomic sex refers to the sex organs with which you were born. That is, you are either a boy (with a penis and testicles) or a girl (with breasts, a uterus, vagina, and ovaries). Occasionally, a baby is born with sex organs that are not normally developed and/or may appear to resemble both sexes; these individuals are said to have ambiguous genitalia or to be intersex. Anatomic sex is only one component of sexuality. Gender identity — Gender identity relates to how you feel inside, and whether you â€Å"feel† like a boy or a girl. Most people have a combination of feelings, including some that are thought of as â€Å"male† or â€Å"masculine† and some that are thought of as â€Å"female† or â€Å"feminine†. In most cases, someone feels mostly like a boy or mostly like a girl. Gender identity and anatomic sex sometimes do not match. For example, a person can be born as a boy but feel like a girl. This is sometimes referred to as transgender. Sexual orientation — Once you begin puberty, you are likely to begin to have strong physical and emotional attractions to others. Sexual orientation refers to whether you are primarily attracted to people of the opposite sex (heterosexual), the same sex as you (homosexual, gay, or lesbian), or both (bisexual). Sexual orientation is influenced by many factors, including your anatomic sex, your gender identity, the society you live in, and other factors, some of which are not completely understood. Sexual orientation is believed to exist on a continuum. That is, you may feel mostly attracted to people of the same sex as you but still have some feelings for people of the opposite sex, or vice versa. These feelings are normal and may change throughout life. ADOLESCENT SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT Sexual development begins in the pre-teen years and continues into adulthood. The body produces hormones that cause outward changes, including breast development in girls, the appearance of facial hair in boys, and growth of hair under the arms and in the genital area of both boys and girls. However, puberty is more than physical changes. As your body grows into adulthood, your way of thinking, emotions, and wants and needs will change as well. The factors discussed above (your anatomic sex, your gender identity, and your sexual orientation) will all become a part of how these changes affect you as a person. You will probably start to feel strong attractions toward others. Sometimes these feelings include developing friendships with other teenagers. Other feelings include wanting to be physically close to another person. You may find yourself attracted to someone of the opposite sex, someone of the same sex, or both. It's important to remember that these physical attractions can shift and change and that they develop at different times in different people. You may find you are attracted to someone of the same sex for a time, then find stronger attractions to someone of the opposite sex. Alternately, the reverse could occur. Over time, most teens will come to identify themselves as primarily heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. However, you should not be surprised if you feel confused about some of these issues during your teen years. This time of life may be troubling for teens who begin to identify themselves as homosexual or bisexual, especially if these ideas are not openly accepted by family members, friends, or the society in which they live. In this case, it is especially important for the teen to find a trusted adult and friends with whom he or she can talk openly. Several of the online resources listed below can also be of benefit (see ‘Where to get more information' below. It also is important to know that in the early years of puberty, it's normal to want to experiment with sexual activity. This often happens before a teenager is fully aware of how this activity might affect his or herself or others. As teens continue to grow and mature, they are better able to make choices about intimacy and physical relationships that will enhance their lives, rather than making choices that will cause problems for themselves or others. Adults generally recommend that teens not rush into sexual activity too soon, but rather wait until they are more mature. (See ‘Health issues related to sex' below. ) When you are sexually mature, you'll have a more developed sense of your preferences and desires. You will understand the possible consequences of having sexual relationships with others, and you will be ready to take responsibility for whatever occurs. You will be more ready to engage in the satisfying, intimate relationships that are an important part of life. SEXUAL ACTIVITY: THE FACTS There are many ways to express intimacy. Spending time with another person, holding hands, and kissing are all ways to show affection and begin to explore physical intimacy. As you develop attractions toward others, you will probably want to explore these and other types of physical intimacy. What might this involve? Most teens have questions about sex and sex acts. Here are some basic facts and definitions, including some important information about sexual boundaries; that is, what is and what is not OK as part of a sexual relationship. Genitals — Genitals are the external sex organs that are sensitive to and stimulated by being touched, which typically occurs during sexual activity. The male external organs are the penis and scrotum, which holds the testicles (figure 1). The female external organs are the vulva, clitoris, and the opening to the vagina (figure 2). Petting — Petting is feeling parts of another person's body. This usually refers to touching the genitals or other sexually sensitive areas, such as breasts. Orgasm — Orgasm is an intensely pleasurable release of tension felt in the genital area and elsewhere in the body. It usually results from stimulation of the genitals. In men and boys, orgasm is associated with the release of semen (called ejaculation), which contains sperm. The term â€Å"come† is a slang word for orgasm. Sexual intercourse — In general, this refers to sex involving a man's penis being placed inside a woman's vagina. When the man ejaculates during sexual intercourse, this semen is released into the woman's vagina. Pregnancy occurs if sperm, contained in the semen, are able to fertilize the egg released by a woman's ovary. However, semen can be released even if the man does not have an orgasm. Oral sex — Oral sex involves using the mouth and/or tongue to stimulate the genitals. Oral sex can occur between a man and a woman, between two men, or between two women. Anal sex — Anal sex is sexual activity involving penetration of the anus (the opening where bowel movements leave the body). A penis or another object is inserted into the anus during anal sex. Both men and women are able to engage in anal sex. Masturbation — Masturbation involves using the hands, or sometimes a device such as a vibrator or other sex toy, to stimulate one's own or someone else's genitals. Some people believe â€Å"having sex† only means sexual intercourse. But other activities, including oral sex, anal sex, or masturbation can also be considered as â€Å"having sex†. Even things like kissing or petting are considered to be sexual activity because they are part of how one person responds sexually to another person. Sexual boundaries — The only kind of sexual activity that is OK is activity that occurs between people who want to have sex with each other. Activity that occurs when a person is alone, such as masturbation, is also OK. If two people are having sex, both of them must be old enough and mature enough to participate without feeling pressured to prove something or try something new. If a sex act is forced upon a person who does not want to participate, this is called rape. Rape is a serious crime that can result in being arrested, spending time in jail, and having a permanent criminal record. Having sex with someone who is not sure they want to have sex can also be called rape. For teens, feelings about sex can be new and confusing. For example, sometimes a person begins kissing or petting but then changes their mind and wants to stop. The other person must always listen, even if it is very difficult to stop. It is not harmful to stop sex before orgasm occurs. Teens sometimes get into difficult situations if they are drinking or using drugs and having sex. In these cases, someone may seem to want sex, but they may be too drunk or high to know what they are doing. Later, the sex can be called rape. Teens may be lured into having sex with an adult. It is never OK for an adult to behave in this way. If an adult wants to engage in any type of sexual activity (kissing, petting, oral sex, intercourse), the teen should talk to a parent, healthcare provider, law officer, or other trusted adult at once. Even if you feel like you have done something to cause the adult to be attracted or have sexual feelings, the adult is responsible for controlling his or her behavior, regardless of the circumstances. Certain state laws, which vary from state to state, impose certain regulations or rules on sexual activity, even among teens. As discussed above, it is always a crime for anyone to force or coerce you into having sex against your wishes, no matter if it is an adult or someone around your own age. However, in some states, sex between teens below a certain age may also be illegal, even if both people want to have sex. Rules may depend upon the age of both partners and upon the sex of your other partner(s). Before deciding to have sex, speak to a trusted adult about these important issues. HEALTH ISSUES RELATED TO SEX The main reason it is important to postpone sexual activity until you are mature is that sexual activity affects both the physical and emotional health of the people involved. Here are some facts. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — There are a number of infections that can be spread during sexual activity. Infections can be spread through sexual intercourse, anal sex, oral sex, and using fingers, other body parts, or sex toys that have come in contact with another person's genitals or body fluids. These diseases are called sexually transmitted infections, or STIs (often called sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs). Common places STIs can occur are the genital organs, anus, and throat. Research has shown that young people are at an increased risk of developing STIs. The reasons for this are not completely understood. However, the younger you are when you start having sex, the more likely it is that you will get an STI. Also, having one STI can make it easier to acquire other STIs at the same time. In many cases, you can get an STI and not know it. This is because STIs often do not have any noticeable signs or symptoms. All of the STIs can have serious consequences for future health. For example, a woman who gets an STI may have difficulty becoming pregnant later in life or may be more prone to developing certain types of cancer, such as cervical cancer. Some of the most important STIs are: HIV — HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). AIDS is a serious, incurable disease of the immune system. Until recently, everyone who developed AIDS died. Although new treatments are now helping many people with HIV infection live longer, there is still no cure for this serious disease or vaccine to prevent it. Many people still die each year from AIDS. Each year, between 40,000 and 80,000 people are newly infected with HIV. Half of these new infections are in people younger than 25 years old. New recommendations call for those who have been sexually active to be tested routinely for HIV infection. The earlier HIV is detected, the sooner a person can obtain treatment and the better their chances are of survival. Speak to your healthcare provider about HIV testing. (See â€Å"Patient information: Testing for HIV†. ) Human papillomavirus — Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI in adolescents. Most people who get HPV do not know they have it. Some types of HPV cause genital warts. Other types of HPV cause cervical cancer in woman, penile cancer in men, and anal cancer in either sex. A Pap smear is one important way your healthcare provider can screen for cervical cancer associated with HPV. (See â€Å"Patient information: Condyloma (genital warts) in women† and â€Å"Patient information: Cervical cancer screening†. ) In addition, there is a vaccine for girls age 9 to 26 years to protect against four common types of HPV. Speak to your healthcare provider about this important vaccine. (See â€Å"Patient information: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine†. ) Gonorrhea and chlamydia — These are serious bacterial infections of the genital tract. They can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, which can cause severe pain and can lead to infertility (inability to become pregnant). Both gonorrhea and chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics. It is important to be screened for these infections if you have had sex, because you may not always have symptoms. (See â€Å"Patient information: Gonorrhea† and â€Å"Patient information: Chlamydia†. ) Herpes simplex virus — This is a viral infection that causes painful or itchy sores or blisters in the genital area. The sores heal but can reappear at any point later in life. There is no cure. The virus can be spread even when there are no blisters present. Medications are available from your healthcare provider to shorten the length of time the blisters last and decrease your risk of repeat outbreaks. (See â€Å"Patient information: Genital herpes†. ) Hepatitis B virus — This is a viral infection that can cause liver disease. In most cases, the disease resolves after the initial illness. But in some people, serious liver damage or liver failure can occur. Most children and adolescents are being vaccinated against this infection with a series of three shots. You should speak to your healthcare provider if you are not sure if you have had this vaccine. (See â€Å"Patient information: Hepatitis B†. ) Syphilis — This is an infection caused by a small organism called a spirochete (/SPY-ro-keet/), which can cause an ulcer on a person's genitals or anus. It is fairly uncommon in teens but more common in certain populations. Sometimes you may not notice the ulcer, because it does not usually cause pain or may be on the inside of the vagina (in females) or anus (in both sexes). It is important to see your healthcare provider right away if you notice any sores or ulcers. The sore usually heals but can cause important long-term problems if untreated. Trichomonas — Trichomonas (â€Å"trich†) is a common infection caused by a tiny parasite that can cause itching and/or a discharge from a person's genital organs. Females notice symptoms far more often than males, although both sexes can be affected and require treatment by a healthcare provider. This infection can be cured with antibiotics. PREVENTING AND SCREENING FOR STIS The only way to be sure you will not get an STI is to not have sex. STIs can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, and using fingers, other body parts, or sex toys that have come in contact with another person's genitals or body fluids. STIs can be transmitted between a male and a female, between two females, and between two males who have sex. It is not possible to tell by looking at someone whether he or she has an STI. Even if the other person tells you they do not have an STI or says they are â€Å"clean†, you cannot be sure this is true. That is because the person may not know if they are infected. Also, it is common for teens to not be completely truthful about many things in relationships, including whether they may have been exposed to an STI. Condom use — People who are sexually active can reduce their risk of getting an STI by using a latex or polyurethane condom every time they have sex. Male condoms are worn on the penis, helping to prevent body fluids from passing to another person. Female condoms are also available, and can be placed in the vagina to help prevent fluids from passing from one person to another. (If a male and female are having sex, only one should wear a condom. If both the male and female wear a condom, the condoms could rub together and move out of place. ) Dental dams are another barrier device that can be used when performing oral sex on a female. (See â€Å"Patient information: Barrier methods of birth control†. ) Condoms and dental dams reduce the risk of getting an STI, but they do not take away the risk completely. Condoms can break or leak, allowing passage of body fluids and transmission of infection. In addition, condoms do not completely cover all of the skin that is exposed during sex; herpes and HPV can be passed by skin-to-skin contact. Other birth control methods do not reduce the risk of STIs. You can reduce the risk that a male condom will break or slip off in two ways. First, make sure the penis is completely hard before putting on the condom. Also, be sure to squeeze and hold the tip of the condom as you roll the rest of it down the penis, making sure there is no air pocket (like a small balloon) at the end of the penis. Immunizations — Another way to reduce the risk of two specific STIs (HPV and hepatitis B) is to talk to a healthcare provider about immunizations. As previously mentioned, most children and adolescents are routinely immunized against hepatitis B in the United States. The HPV vaccine is now available to females aged nine years and older. Check ups — Regular check-ups by your healthcare provider are important to all adolescents, but it is particularly important to speak with a healthcare provider if you decide to have sex. This talk should include ways to prevent pregnancy and STIs, as well as the need for regular testing for STIs, including HIV. Since STIs can occur in different body sites (genital organs, anus, and throat) and may have no symptoms, it is important to speak honestly with the provider about sexual behavior to get appropriate testing. If your healthcare provider is not comfortable or able to screen you for STIs, ask for a referral to a provider who can. Pregnancy and birth control — Pregnancy is a serious consequence of sexual activity between males and females. Each year in the United States, about 1 million adolescents become pregnant. Pregnancy in teens has serious health consequences. Pregnant teens are more likely to have babies who are premature or sick. A pregnant adolescent is more likely to drop out of school and live in poverty. Although some teens who become pregnant choose to have an abortion, this choice also carries risks. As with STIs, the only way a young woman can be sure she will not become pregnant is to not have sexual intercourse. There is no reliable way to determine a â€Å"safe† time when she will not become pregnant; menstrual cycles at this age can be irregular. Teens should know that pregnancy is possible each time they have sexual intercourse, including the first time and during the menstrual period. Birth control methods are available that can reduce the risk of pregnancy. However, birth control methods other than condoms do not reduce the risk of STIs. The most reliable methods (other than abstinence) must be prescribed by a doctor or nurse. These include birth control pills, patches, and injections. Other newer options for females include a vaginal ring that is worn in the vagina or a small device that must be inserted under the skin by a healthcare provider. (See â€Å"Patient information: Hormonal methods of birth control†. ) Some methods, such as condoms and contraceptive foam, can be purchased without a prescription. A condom should be used every time you have sex, even if another method is used to prevent pregnancy. (See â€Å"Patient information: Barrier methods of birth control†. ) If you use birth control but have an accident (the condom breaks, you forget a pill), you can take a â€Å"morning after pill† to reduce the risk of pregnancy. (See â€Å"Patient information: Emergency contraception (morning after pill)†. ) Teens who engage in sexual activity must be sure they have accurate information about the available birth control options. The best time to decide on a method of birth control is before you start having sex.