Sexual Activity Among Youth
Advice for Parents and Youth
The decision to engage in sexual activity is one of the most important decisions a youth will make. Unlike other voluntary activities, sexual activity has powerful effects upon each participant’s mind, emotions and physical body. This decision can have life-long consequences ─ positive and negative.
With the onset of puberty comes a natural interest in and attraction for sexual activity. Procreation and the propagation of human kind are rooted in this normal and natural drive. The adolescent is confronted with the potentially life-changing decision of whether and when to indulge or resist this drive. This decision will be influenced by many factors in the child’s life, such as peer pressure, the entertainment media, societal standards, parental modeling, socioeconomic environment, and sex education at school and in the home. The typical teen will ask, “Should I engage in sex recreationally to satisfy this drive, or is there any reason to save this pleasure for a greater purpose later in life.” The answer to this question has individual and even societal consequences.
ACPeds Position statements:
Cohabitation: Effects of Cohabitation on the Men and Women Involved - Part 1 of 2
Cohabitation: Effects of Parental Cohabitation and other Non-marital Sexual Activity on Children – Part 2 of 2
Sexual Activity
Commentary and News
Promoting the Myth of “Safe Sex” Letter to Editor, Pediatrics, September 2014
The Sex Talk With Teens Needs To Cover A Lot More Than Birth Control – ACPeds member article on the need for adults to reinforce to teens that our bodies and hearts are connected and the entire package should be treasured and safeguarded.
Parent Resources
Parents often feel ill-equipped to address the topic of human sexuality with their children. Hesitation in addressing this area can lead to confusion and misdirection for the child. The following resources will help assist any parent to confidently inform their child.
Facts About Youth is a web resource designed to give educators, parents and students important science-based information about healthful approaches to youth who may be conflicted about gender identity and sexual orientation.
Medical Institute for Sexual Health is an informative website intended to empower safe, healthy living by communicating objective and scientific sexual health information.