Mother's Influence on Teen Sex

Mothers' Disapproval of Sex Reduces Teen Sexual Behavior

Teens' perception of their mother's disapproval of sexual behavior lessens the odds of adolescent sexual activity and unintended pregnancy. A positive relationship between mother and teen reduces risks as well.

This study confirms the importance of mother/child relationships and the perceived maternal disapproval of sexual behavior. Teens who think their mothers disapprove of their engaging in sexual intercourse and are satisfied with their relationship with their mothers are less likely to engage in sex and to experience an unintended pregnancy. The perception of maternal opposition toward engaging in sex at the beginning of the study was associated with a lower probability of engaging in sex and a lowered probability of pregnancy during subsequent 12 months. For sexual intercourse, the predicted odds of engaging in sex were 6.3 times higher when perceived disapproval was low as opposed to high. For pregnancy, the predicted odds of a pregnancy were 3.5 times higher when perceived disapproval was low as opposed to high. In terms of relationship satisfaction, the study found that the predicted offs of engaging in sex were 2.7 times higher (3.9 times higher for pregnancy) when the adolescent satisfaction with their relationship with their mother was low as opposed to high. The predicted odds of engaging in sex when both the perceived disapproval and relationship satisfaction were at their lowest values were 17.1 times greater (and 13.1 times greater for pregnancy) than when both variables were at their lowest. Notably, the more that teens thought their mothers approved of the use of birth control, the more likely they were to underestimate their mother's opposition to them engaging in sex.1

1Adolescents' Perceptions of Maternal Disapproval of Sex: Relationship to Sexual Outcomes, Journal of Adolescent Health, Vol. 26, 2000, pp. 268-278.

TV's Family Hour- More Violence and Sex

Primetime network family hour programming contains an average of one instance of objectionable content every 3.5 minutes of non-commercial airtime. Since 2000-2001, violence in the family hour has increased by 52.4% and the amount of sexual content has increased by 22.1%.

Traditionally known as the Family Hour, the first hour of prime time (8pm to 9pm on Mondays through Saturdays, and 7pm to 9pm on Sundays) was once a place for programming the whole family could enjoy. In recent years, however, all the major TV networks have pushed more adult programming to these early hours of the evening. A comprehensive study of network programming during the first hour of primetime television conducted by the Parents Television Council (PTC) shows that objectionable content occurs every 3.5 minutes of non-commercial airtime. Incidents of violence and sexual content rose by 52.4 and 22.1 percent, respectively, since the last comprehensive study done in 2000-2001. Foul language incidents decreased by 25.4%. Rerun programming during family hour contained 19.76 instances of objectionable content, 58% more than original programming. The contents of this report should be alarming to everybody involved: parents, advertisers, and network executives. Parents, in particular, must actively oppose the broadcasts networks' efforts to reduce decency standards by pressuring local broadcast affiliated to air inappropriate programming and by pressuring advertisers to stop underwriting offensive Family Hour content.1

1The Alarming Family Hour: A Content Analysis of Sex, Foul Language, and Violence during Network Television's Family Hour, Parents Television Council, September 2007.

Teen Sex Leads to Unhappiness

Recently, an extensive survey (conducted by the Associated press and MTV) of more than 100 questions was asked of 1,280 people ages 13-24 regarding the general nature of happiness among America's young people. On issues of sexuality, the survey showed that being sexually active actually leads to less happiness among 13-17 year olds. For those who are aged 18-24, the survey showed that sex might lead to more happiness in the moment, but not in general. Some results of the survey proved to be very disconcerting. While 72% of whites said they were happy with life in general, just 56% of blacks and 51% of Hispanics said the same about their lives. Lastly, 62% of those surveyed said they think they will be happier in the future than they are now (those over 18 years of age were more optimistic). However, many anticipate a more difficult life than their parents had.1

1The Associated Press-MTV Poll Conducted by Knowledge Networks, Associated Press, April 16-23, 2007, pp. 1-81.
2Poll: Family Ties Key to Happy Kids, Associated Press, Fox News, August 19, 2007

Abstinent Teens Enjoy Greater Academic Success

Summary: Abstinent Teens Enjoy Greater Academic Success

Teens who abstain from sex until at least age 18 are less likely to be expelled or drop out of high school and are more than twice as likely to complete college when compared to teens who do not abstain from sexual activity.

According to data gathered from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (AddHealth), teens that practice sexual abstinence are less likely to be expelled or drop out of high school and are more likely to graduate from college, even after controlling for social background variables. This remains true even when excluding teenagers who give birth and controlling for the teens' own educational expectations. Teens who became sexually active before the age of 18 were almost 3 times more likely to be expelled from school than were teens who remained virgins while in high school (9.9% vs. 3.5%). In addition, 21% of teens who began sexual activity before the age of 18 dropped out of school before graduating high school. The drop out rate of teens who remained virgins at least until age 18 was substantially lower at 8.6%. While sexually active teens who use contraception do better academically than sexually-active non-contraceptive users, abstinent teens still perform best academically.1

1Teenage Sexual Abstinence and Academic Achievement, Paper presented at 9th Annual Abstinence Clearinghouse Conference, August 2005.

Father Fact

Using a national probability sample, father involvement correlates with fewer behavior problems exhibited by their children. This finding holds after controlling for the level of maternal involvement.

Source: Amato, Paul R. and Fernando Rivera. "Paternal Involvement and Children's Behavior Problems." Journal of Marriage and the Family, 61 (1999): 375-384

At Lois' Lodge we are looking for a few good men to mentor fathers. Call us if you are interested in this type of volunteer opportunity. (704)376-8550

Senators Call for Suspension of Planned Parenthood Funding

Citizenlink 11/12

Senators Call for Suspension of Planned Parenthood Funding

Thirteen U.S. senators want to suspend federal funding to groups that promote abortion, primarily Planned Parenthood. The senators sent a letter to key members of Congress who have the power to block the funds.

“We’re very encouraged to see the senators taking this strong stand that really would reflect what the majority of Americans would want," Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, told Family News in Focus.

In October, Focus on the Family and about 60 other pro-life organizations asked Congress to suspend Planned Parenthood funding following a 107-count indictment against the group's Kansas affiliate.

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., introduced a bill in the House on Thursday that would stop federal funding.

Dawn Vargo, associate bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said: “Given these allegations of illegal practices on the part of Planned Parenthood, taxpayers should not be forced to fund an organization that may be engaged in criminal activity.”

TAKE ACTION: Urge your U.S. senators and representative to stop taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood. You can find contact information in our Action Center.

10 Tips for Parents to Help Their Children Avoid Teen Pregnancy

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has reviewed research about parental influences on children’s sexual behavior and talked to many experts in the field, as well as to teens and parents themselves. From these sources, they have released 10 Tips for Parents to Help Their Children Avoid Teen Pregnancy.

Many of the ideas presented in 10 Tips will seem familiar because they articulate what parents already know from experience — like the importance of maintaining strong, close relationships with children and teens, setting clear expectations for them, and communicating honestly and often with them about important matters. Research supports these common sense ideas. It is hoped that these tips can increase the ability of parents to help their children pass safely into adulthood pregnancy-free.

You can access this report in the following ways:
Order copies from the Online Store
Download a free copy
Visit the 10 Tips Webpage