A recent study illuminated an apparent “recipe” that raises the odds of a teen starting sex early. Although, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison psychologist Janet Shibley, “It isn’t any one thing [that increases likelihood of a teen having sex earlier in life]; it’s cumulative, and the more risks there are, the greater the chances they’ll begin sex early.”
Using anonymous surveys which tracked 13- to 15-year-old students for a number of years, Shibley and co-author Myeshia Price discovered that among the factors that increased the likelihood of sex at that early age (13-15) were early puberty, low self-esteem, defiance issues or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, parents having little education, not feeling close to parents, and watching excessive TV (which is often an indication of parental distance, lack off supervision, and boredom). Each risk factor raised the odds of sexual activity by 44 percent!
Kids who start sex early have more partners than those who wait, and they’re much more likely to get pregnant or catch a sexually transmitted disease, said Bill Albert of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. So, there are many reasons to be aware and educate parents about the contributing factors to risky behaviors.
These findings not only illuminate things for parents to avoid (if or when they can), but also things parents proactively can pursue with their children. For example, the negative data about parents also communicates that feeling close to parents may offset pressure for sex. Warmth from parents and clear, firm guidelines can make a big difference to kids this age, as can healthy self-image, and self-esteem, which parents and others can help foster.
What do these findings illuminate about education and behavior?
What can youth ministers do to help parents foster healthy decisions and behaviors in their teenagers?
