Sexual activity during adolescence

You may be surprised to learn that parents are the biggest influence on teenagers’ decisions about whether to have sex and that friends are next.

Teenagers who delay the onset of sexual activity, who have fewer partners, and who are at lower risk of pregnancy are close to their parents, see them as supportive, and communicate well with them. Their parents are more likely to be married, are better educated, have a higher income level, use firm, consistent discipline, and are aware of their teen’s friends and activities. Teenagers who begin sexual activity at a later age are more apt to have better grades in school, higher educational aspirations, greater social maturity, and lower levels of alcohol, cigarette, and drug use; and in the case of girls, are more apt to participate in sports.