Teens listen to parents’ advice about sex, survey indicates_32204

March 19, 2004

Posted: 3/19/04

Teens listen to parents' advice about sex, survey indicates

WASHINGTON (BP)–Teens today may be more cautious toward sex than generally believed and may be paying more attention to their parents' warnings, according to survey results released recently by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

The study found that 67 percent of sexually experienced teens say they wish they had waited longer before having sexual intercourse. The breakdown by gender indicates 77 percent of girls and 60 percent of boys regret becoming sexually active too early.

Eighty-five percent of teens agreed sex should occur only in a long-term, committed relationship, and only 26 percent said it is embarrassing for teens to admit they are virgins. Teens credit their own morals, values, religious beliefs and concerns about the future for influencing their attitudes about sex more than concerns about pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.

The opportunity to test those attitudes is significant, considering 42 percent of teens in high school said they had been at a party in the past six months with boys and girls where no adults were present.

Regarding teen pregnancy, 84 percent of teens surveyed said they believe teen pregnancy prevention programs should teach young people to be married before they have a child.

Parental influence is more important in a teen's life than generally believed.

Forty-five percent of teens said their parents most influence their decisions about sex compared to 31 percent who said their friends are most influential. Religious leaders were the most influential among 7 percent, while teachers and sex educators stood at 6 percent and the media at 4 percent.

Eighty-eight percent of teens said it would be easier to postpone sexual activity and avoid teen pregnancy if they were able to have more open, honest conversations about such topics with their parents, and 59 percent said when it comes to healthy, responsible relationships, their parents are their role models.

Meanwhile, only 32 percent of adults surveyed believe parents are most influential in their teens' decisions about sex.

The National Campaign survey questioned 1,000 young people ages 12-19 and 1,008 adults age 20 and older.

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