TimmyHOver-Parenting can lead to Under-Age Sex
July 24th 2008 07:01
New statistical research has uncovered evidence to suggest a link between strict and over-bearing parenting and an increase in teenage sexual activity.
Although it is difficult to confirm that controlling parents could cause teenagers to have more sex, the findings of the study suggest that parents would be well advised to give their teenagers some space.
Rebekah Coley, lead author of the study of more than 5,000 American teenagers and associate professor of applied developmental and educational psychology at Boston College says that although allowing teens independence is necessary, they also require emotional support at home.
“Warm, more democratic relationships (in which parents do not use negative and psychologically controlling behaviors) could help parents to communicate values, increase adolescents’ identification with their parents, help youth to develop healthy decision-making skills and also keep youth away from negative peer influences,” she says.
According to the research, more than two thirds of teenagers lose their virginity before the age of 19. The study, involving older Gen Y’s, claims to be the first to use definitive techniques to answer questions about the effect of different parenting styles on teenage sexuality. The results have been published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Interestingly, family bonding can make sexual activity less likely in young teens. But this goes mostly for regular family activities. On the other hand, teenage sexual activity is likely to rise if parents engage in negative and psychologically controlling behaviours.
To categorically confirm the findings would require parents to be assigned children to raise from birth who are not genetically related and is probably not likely to occur. So although the study suggests that over-bearing parents increase the likelihood that their teenagers will engage in sexual activity, the ambiguity of controls makes the process difficult.
Don Operario, a professor at Oxford University in England. Operario studies health and social issues says that the new study sends a clear and simple message about parenting, teenagers need their space and should be respected by their parents enough to make good sexual decisions.
Most recent research has focused on the influence of peers and the media on the sex lives of Gen Y’s, but Operario reminds us that “the foundational role of parents in determining whether their teens engage in risky sexual behaviours.”
The study does NOT say that parents should charge off and discuss sexuality with their teenagers. But as Operario says, parents should “Support their teens, spend time with them, be less critical and controlling and more nurturing in their adolescent development. This, in turn, can help them make more informed, safe decisions about sexual activity.”
Although it is difficult to confirm that controlling parents could cause teenagers to have more sex, the findings of the study suggest that parents would be well advised to give their teenagers some space.
Rebekah Coley, lead author of the study of more than 5,000 American teenagers and associate professor of applied developmental and educational psychology at Boston College says that although allowing teens independence is necessary, they also require emotional support at home.
“Warm, more democratic relationships (in which parents do not use negative and psychologically controlling behaviors) could help parents to communicate values, increase adolescents’ identification with their parents, help youth to develop healthy decision-making skills and also keep youth away from negative peer influences,” she says.
According to the research, more than two thirds of teenagers lose their virginity before the age of 19. The study, involving older Gen Y’s, claims to be the first to use definitive techniques to answer questions about the effect of different parenting styles on teenage sexuality. The results have been published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Interestingly, family bonding can make sexual activity less likely in young teens. But this goes mostly for regular family activities. On the other hand, teenage sexual activity is likely to rise if parents engage in negative and psychologically controlling behaviours.
To categorically confirm the findings would require parents to be assigned children to raise from birth who are not genetically related and is probably not likely to occur. So although the study suggests that over-bearing parents increase the likelihood that their teenagers will engage in sexual activity, the ambiguity of controls makes the process difficult.
Don Operario, a professor at Oxford University in England. Operario studies health and social issues says that the new study sends a clear and simple message about parenting, teenagers need their space and should be respected by their parents enough to make good sexual decisions.
Most recent research has focused on the influence of peers and the media on the sex lives of Gen Y’s, but Operario reminds us that “the foundational role of parents in determining whether their teens engage in risky sexual behaviours.”
The study does NOT say that parents should charge off and discuss sexuality with their teenagers. But as Operario says, parents should “Support their teens, spend time with them, be less critical and controlling and more nurturing in their adolescent development. This, in turn, can help them make more informed, safe decisions about sexual activity.”
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Comment by Hazel Castillo
Working Title
Cirrus Cloud
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Trust kids a bit more and they'll trust you and have more fear about doing "forbidden" things.
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Comment by Mrs M
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I had a controlling father. And he never gave me any advice, rather barked orders at me. As a consequence I made some bad decisions when it came to boyfriends.
Great post.
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Mrs M
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