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Teens say their parents (37%) influence their decisions about sex more than friends (33%), the media (5%), or siblings (6%), according to an annual, nationally representative survey released by the National Campaign. Adults, however, mistakenly believe that friends (47%) are more influential than parents (28%). Other results from the annual survey include:
Parental Influence
- The overwhelming majority of adults (91%) and teens (87%) agree that it would be easier for teens to postpone sexual activity and avoid teen pregnancy if they were able to discuss these topics with their parents yet 37% of teens say they have not had a single conversation about these issues with their parents.
- Parents of teens (90%) believe they should talk to their kids about sex, but often don't know what to say, how to say it, or when to start.
Gender Differences
- Most adults (79%) and teens (63% of boys and 67% of girls) agree that teen girls often receive the message that attracting boys and looking sexy is one of the most important things teenage girls can do.
- Adults (64%) and teens (70% of girls and 53% of boys) believe that teen boys often receive the message that sex and pregnancy are not a "big deal."
- Teens (51% of girls and 57% of boys) agree that teen girls are equally as sexually aggressive as teen boys.
Cautious Attitudes
- Nearly seven in ten teens (69%) do not think it's okay for high school teens to have sexual intercourse and 85% of teens surveyed said that sex should only occur in a long-term, committed relationship.
- Two-thirds of all sexually experienced teens (63% of boys and 69% of girls) said they wish they had waited longer to have sex.
Morals, Values and Religious Beliefs
- Strong majorities of teens (71%) and adults (65%) agree that religious leaders and groups should be doing more to help prevent teen pregnancy.
- Six in ten teens (64%) say morals and values are equally as important as health information and services in influencing teen sexual behavior and preventing teen pregnancy.
To view the complete results of this survey - With One Voice 2004: Americas Adults and Teens Sound Off About Teen Pregnancy - including the exact wording of the questions posed to respondents, please visit the National Campaign's website, www.teenpregnancy.org.
Note from Family Honor: The survey results shown above are from a survey conducted by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. While much of the survey is interesting and provides updated information on what some parents and teens across the United States are thinking, it should also be noted that The National Campaign has a "mixed message" approach to the problem of teen pregnancy, in contrast to Family Honor's belief in chastity. The information above is taken from their spring, 2005 newsletter, Campaign Update.
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