KC,

Mature and responsible teens do not practice any sex...much less safe sex.
News Flash: Unsafe sex and promiscuity are not synonymous. It only takes 1 unprotected act to catch an STD, or result in an unwanted pregnancy.
We indoctrinate our children to, "Just say no," to drugs; but with regard to sex we tell them, "Just be safe." See any irony in that?

With respect to a, "teen insists on taking responsibility for certain privileges,"...the key problem lies in your word, "insists." In a balanced home the teen does not, "insist," The teen basically complies although withsome give and take as independent privileges become gradually more extensive.
S/he asks and is either told yes or no. Simple as that.

Biggest problem in America today? Parents are too busy being their children's, "friend," and living vicarious lives through their children's over expanded repertoires of sports, activities, and entertainments to establish an authoritative style of child rearing. Thus far too many children have no true respect for authority figures, including teachers...who get to deal with them in batches...with all their little emergent personality traits, including (sadly) narcissism..which seems so much more pervasive today...