Multiple measures of parental involvement and engagement are associated with teenagers' decision to delay sex. That's according to a recent brief published by Child Trends, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research center.
Child Trends analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth to explore how parenting practices are associated with the probability of early sexual experiences. The researchers found that positive parent-adolescent relationships, high parental awareness and monitoring, and family dinner routines all played a role in delaying sex.
The researchers cited two recent nationally representative polls of 12- to 19-year-olds, in which nearly half reported their parents had the most influence on their decisions about sex.
"Parents tend to underestimate their influence," said Chad Hills, analyst for sexual health research and policy at Focus on the Family Action. "But in spite of the eye-rolling, know-it-all attitudes and wanton independence, teens largely base their decisions about sex on parental values and involvement. Communication is essential, and research again verifies that parents matter most."
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