Freedom is Associated with Less Sexual Activity

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Nancy L. Brown, PhD

Authoritarian parents take note - a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health suggests that teens with more flexible parents are actually less likely to start having sex than teens with rigid and controlling parents.

Warm, more democratic relationships - in which parents do not use negative and controlling behaviors - are more likely to produce children who respect the parental values, making healthier decisions about their health, and keep away from negative peer influences.

Of course, this is not a controlled study but it appears that parents who talk to their children about sexuality, using condoms, and birth control, as well as spend time with them and are nurturing and supportive have children less likely to engage in sexual abehavior.

Photo credit: Dazzie D

Labels: Healthline, Parenting, Sexuality

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