Challenges facing teenagers

The excellent editorial "Teen Risks and Teen Hopes," April 23, unfortunately does not include recent research into the link between sexual abuse and adolescent pregnancy.

It is very clear that many teens cannot "Just Say No." They can't protect themselves against sexual abuse, pregnancy, physical abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and AIDS. All too often the very people society assumes are protecting children are the ones abusing them. Teenage sexuality is a fact, but it is not the only thing producing many of the societal problems teens suffer from. R. A. Loddengaard, Hillsborough, N.C.

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