AFA Journal, January 2001 Edition

According to several recent studies, parents and religious beliefs are a potent one-two combination when it comes to influencing a teen's decisions about whether or not to have sex. Even when it comes to teens themselves, a substantial majority think young people should not have sex while in high school.

One survey of about 500 youth between 12 and 17 years old was conducted by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. That poll showed that 37% of the teens surveyed cited their parents as having the most influence on their decision. Other factors affecting teen attitudes were friends (30%), the media (11%) and religious convictions (11%).

The heavy emphasis teens place on their friends' opinions should come as no surprise, but in this regard, another of the study's findings was encouraging. In overwhelming fashion, 78% of young people surveyed said they thought teens should not be sexually active at all. Moreover, 64% of the teens who said they had had sex also said they regretted it, and would tell their younger siblings to delay having sex until they were at least out of high school.

"This poll is just the latest evidence that many teens are taking a more cautious attitude toward having sex," said Sally Sachar, deputy director of the campaign. "It also makes clear that parents can, and must, play an active and continuing role in helping their children understand that sex can wait."

The religious influence on the decision by some teens to refrain from sexual activity was also documented by two new studies. Independent researchers found that religious belief was the most influential in keeping young people abstinent. Psychologists at Fordham University in New York, for example, found that students "who strongly identify with religious teachings and traditions" were "less likely to engage in sexual activity."

© 2001