We just read on Strollerderby that a new study by University of Virginia psychologists reports that teen sex may actually be a good thing. The findings, per ScienceDaily: Teens who have sex at an early age may be less inclined to exhibit delinquent behavior in early adulthood than their peers who waited until they were older to have sex. The study also suggests that early sex may play a role in helping these teens develop better social relationships in early adulthood.
Ha-HA! The Strollerderby blogger says she feels her "entire adolescence has been vindicated," and so do we.
It also rings true to us on an anecdotal level. Most of the people we knew who were a little loose in high school figured sex dynamics out early; by the time they were out of college, they were ready for serious relationships. The ones who dutifully waited until they were of-age to start dating and considering sex wound up spending the post-college decade trying to make up for lost time.
Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 6)
31. International reader here, I cannot beileve someone writes what the heck she thinks is right in her mind and post it for the world, teens and kids to see....how can u stupidly say that a person who starts to have sex at an early age will be better prepared to have a fulfilling life as an adult...oh my God! have not we seen all the damage promiscous..and multiple partner sex has done?? There has not been a time in history in which STD's, HIV+, Aids, Unplanned pregnancy, and rape has been at its peak...!!!! You must not have kids of your own....I bet u will be have a 360 turn around when u raise your own...or maybe not....
What makes a responsible adult? For me its strong morals, communication with parents, good role models, strong spirituality, christian values....healthy lifestyle and activities as a child that makes the person be and encourage all they can be in a positive way., what better role model and what better person as an adult on the whole damn world...than Jesus Christ our Saviour, who did not as u say have to sleep around while been a teen to grow up and be the man he turned to be and saved the whole humanity....?????!
A**** at 8:49AM on Nov 16th 2007
32. this article is absolutely BS- whoever wrote this study is trying excuse their past mistakes-by making this argument that teen sex is not only ok but necessary-please!!!!
cayuga2572 at 9:07AM on Nov 16th 2007
33. In reading this article I have made 2 conclusions. 1) Conservatives are the most closed minded individuals who will never admit to any mistakes they may have made when developing their view of a proper America. With the increase of sodomistic sexual experiences in the teen population it’s obvious that they have no clue on what to do to keep their precious children from recreating the scenes plastered on the covers of DVD's available at your local adult video store nation wide.
2) Liberals are acting more and more like their name suggests. Teens are naturally curious/horny and will do what their hormones demand given the right opportunity. This is no reason however to promote the idea that the more sexually active one is as a teen the better they will be at relationships in adulthood. The term "Teen" can mean two different age groups when looked at subjectively. There is a huge difference between the mentality of a 17 year old and a 13 year old. The latter is allot more impressionable and should not under any circumstances be participating in anything passed kissing or touching. At 13 we can barely understand how real the consequences of irresponsible sex can be. I'll use myself as an example. I engaged in sex the first time around the age of eleven. I continued to have multiple partners through my years in school and college. At 28 I have settled with a good woman and recently had my first child. On the surface it seems like the ideal situation for a man, however the truth is that from the age of eleven to about 26 I experienced countless pregnancy scares, aborted children, and a case of Chlamydia. All experiences that I can honestly say I could have done without. I feel that if I would have waited at least until I was in my later teen years I would have learned the importance of safe sex from things like education and/or the example of my peers. At eleven years old I didn't know what an STD was or the fact that the stuff that came out of me when sex was over could lead to babies. Unfortunately for the young ladies involved I didn't know how to make them feel great but that's not the point.
I think that parents need to be realistic and understand that their little babies won't be babies forever. Instead of giving out misinformation that in my opinion leads to very unhealthy sexual attitudes, take time to know your child. Ask them questions about their feelings towards sex and relationships and gauge those answers using your experiences as a model. As rational adults we can read someone who is making a left when they should go straight.
Let’s get it together people.
soamzadik777 at 9:14AM on Nov 16th 2007
34. To Stealthfighter..don't be sad to hear that I got married at a young age for what it's worth it's none of your business. I am extremely happy, complete and successful. I have a better marriage than MANY couples I know that were virgins when they got married. And as far as education, my parents were extremely up front with me about SAFE sex, abstinence, etc. I made my own decisions and that does not make me a bad person. The reason why there is a rise in STD's is because people are taught that sex is a bad thing and to not do it. They are not taught safe sex. And the rising divorce rate comes from lack of communication, lack of "family time," lack of education, and inexperience. People jump into a "fantasy" marriage and are not prepared for the bad as well as the good. So the high divorce rate is not from teen sex. It comes from the fantasies people have in their head that a marriage should always be peaches and cream. At least I can say that I was mature enough to know that a marriage is not always perfect and compromise is key. So don't belittle me and my experiences or my family for not educating me to think that sex is bad and for being realistic.
D at 9:17AM on Nov 16th 2007
35. What about a man who has been getting it since he was a teenager? Your comment sounds like it is from generations ago. It is ok for a man, but not a woman?
Also, I do not have an issue with premarital sex, however; I believe it is stupid and hazardous to have multiple partners promiscuous sex for both men and women of any age.
Joe at 9:19AM on Nov 16th 2007
36. The man who demands his bride be virginal probably is really just afraid of comparison. I would rather my wife not wonder if she was missing some thing. Considering the stresses put on a couple by our modern life-style, it's a miracle that any marriages survive past the inital infatuation!
Robert E. Quillen at 9:42AM on Nov 16th 2007
37. For those who doubt the science, I note that the study found an association between having sex at an early age and not showing deliquent behavior in early adulthood. It did not show that having sex at an early age CAUSES you to not have behavior or relationship problems. A perfectly reasonable explanation for the study results is that even teenagers are not apt to choose peers with behavior problems as sexual partners. The study really says that teens are less likely to form initimate relationships with people who wind up having deliquency problems later in life. I would expect that the later deliquents didn't so much choose to not have sex, but rather couldn't find any willing partners. The study doesn't really say much about whether an individual should choose to have sex earlier rather than later. There is no need for people to get angry at each other about each others choices or doubt the results. You just need to understand what the statistics actually mean and how to interpret them.
jt at 3:45PM on Nov 16th 2007
38. My experience was much different thanthis article describes. When I was a working woman in my late twenties, all of the adults who had sex as a teen suddenly were the ones too embarrassed to admit it. And also, suddenly, there were lots of us who had waited and were now proud to admit that "our first time" was 18 yrs or older.
Funny how the tables were turned. We the uncool....became the cool. Now we look like the smart ones, the ones who don't jump into bed with anyone. We can look our children in the eye and say "I didn't have sex til I was an adult and in this family the same is expected of you." Twenties are still a very young age. There is Plenty of Time to learn then!!!
realwoman at 10:40AM on Nov 16th 2007
39. Are they seriously suggesting that teenagers who are engaging in sex leads to a healthy adult relationship? Stupidity such as this encourages and promotes sex to young teenagers, such as 13 year olds. Is it healthy for them now to have an STD, or how about ending up with a child? How does that bull lead to a healthy life style? Why are they justifying, or rather trying to tame the ending results of teenage sexual acts.The point being, we shouldn't veil the problem, but shed the truth. Young teenagers shouldn't be having sex now. The differense between love and lust is only apparently when the mind is mature enough to understand reality.
SurrealReality at 11:04AM on Nov 16th 2007
40. Michelle, You just proved my point. People are NOT cars, they aren't something you buy as you would a possession. If you think of people as possessions then you are thinking of them based on their utility to yourself, and their "shelf life". Both of those are SELFISH motives for a committed relationship. If both partners are equally ignorant about sex that may be a more egaitarian proposition but that was not what I was referring to. I REALLY dont think there are many male virgins past the age of 17 or so. The old double standard is alive and well.
Heidi at 11:12AM on Nov 16th 2007
41. While reading many of these comments I feel that many of these holier than thou virgins are just fooling themselves. I don't think the article is suggesting 13 year olds having sex. It is referring to older teens. If you are a parent don't put a blind eye to the truth. Don't pretend that your teen is not having sex when he or she is.Be open and honest with your children. Teach them to practice safe sex if they choose to have sex rather than make them afraid of it and afraid of you. I guess many would rather have their child sneak around and lie instead of being honest. Anyone can tell their parents that they are virgins when they aren't. Ignorance is bliss as the old saying goes.
Ron at 11:24AM on Nov 16th 2007
42. The best sex I ever had was when I was under 18
ben at 12:29PM on Nov 16th 2007
43. It amazes me that with the information that we have at hand today that people are so willing to accept articles such as this. There are many studies previous to this one that state adolescent sexual relationships cause a great deal of issues with a childs psyche, which would be a positive indicator as to the multi-billion dollar mental health industry. There is so much responsibility that goes along with a sexual relationship including; birth control, STD protection, honesty and truth in revealing to your history to your partner (not details, just numbers and facts). Many of you who refuse to admit it, probably based on your past and not wanting to admit self-inflicted damage, but any sexual relationship carries a great deal of emotion, emotion that an adolescent is not properly equipped to handle. As one blog stated, the most important thing is to use the information you have to inform your children (added with another blogs advice) and to raise them with your morals and standards, even if that means raising the bar from what you did. Don't live by the attitude of "I can't tell my kids to do things one way, when I did it the opposite way." We live and learn and if we don't admit our mistakes and rise above then our future generations are doomed.
Just Me at 12:24PM on Nov 16th 2007
44. And immediately, the abstinence folks jump in with the same tired comments. Sigh.
My high school boyfriend was a great guy. Now I am in my thirties - and I am so glad that I DID choose to sleep with him as a teenager. It was a positive and loving experience, and an excellent introduction to the emotional and physical complexities of a sexual relationship. It definitely helped me make good choices later, too - I had a barometer against which other guys and other relationships could be measured against, and as a result I do think I made safer, more mature decisions about men during my college years.
no regrets at 12:57PM on Nov 17th 2007
45. Thank you no regrets. I bet you have a great relationship with your parents as well. I could not agree with you more.
D. at 12:46PM on Nov 16th 2007