Nonstopdrivel
14 years ago

Teen sex not always bad for school performance

 

By ALICIA CHANG (AP) 2 days ago

LOS ANGELES There's good news for parents who worry that their teenagers' sex lives are affecting their school performance: A provocative new study has found that teens in committed relationships do no better or worse in school than those who don't have sex.

The same isn't true for teens who "hook up." Researchers found that those who have casual flings get lower grades and have more school-related problems compared with those who abstain.

The findings, presented Sunday at a meeting of the American Sociological
Association in Atlanta, challenge to some extent assumptions that sexually active teens tend to do poorer in school.

It's not so much whether a teen has sex that determines academic success, the researchers say, but the type of sexual relationship they're engaged in. Teens in serious relationships may find social and emotional support in their sex partners, reducing their anxiety and stress levels in life and in school.

"This should give some comfort to parents who may be concerned that their teenage son or daughter is dating," said sociologist Peggy Giordano of Bowling Green State University, who had no role in the research. Teen sex is "not going to derail their educational trajectories," she said.

Last year, nearly half of high school students reported having sexual intercourse, and 14 percent have had four or more partners, according to a federal survey released this summer.

For the study, University of California, Davis sociologist Bill McCarthy and
University of Minnesota sociologist Eric Grodsky analyzed surveys and school transcripts from the largest national follow-up study of teens that began during the 1994-95 academic year. The researchers said not much has changed in terms of when teens first have sex or attitudes toward teen sex in the past decade.

The duo examined how teens' sexual behaviors affected their learning and controlled for factors that might influence their results.

Among the findings:

_Teens in serious relationships did not differ from their abstinent counterparts
in terms of their grade-point average, how attached they are to school or college expectations. They were also not more likely to have problems in school, be suspended or absent.

_Compared with virgins, teens who have casual sex had lower GPAs, cared less about school and experienced more problems in school. For example, female teens who have flings had GPAs that were 0.16 points lower than abstinent teens. Male teens who have casual sex had GPAs that were 0.30 points lower than those who do not have sex. Teens who hook up also were at greater risk of being suspended or expelled and had lower odds of expecting to go to college.

_Teens who have sex whether it's a serious or casual relationship were at higher risk of being truant and dropping out compared with teens who don't have sex. The researchers said the dropout results should be interpreted with caution because the numbers were small.

"Having sex outside of a romantic relationship may exacerbate the stress youths experience, contributing to problems in school," Grodsky said.

In a statement, the Family Research Council said the study confirms what the group has long advocated about the negative consequences of casual sex. But the council said it "would not interpret less severe educational impacts on students involved in `committed' sexual relationships as a green light for comprehensive" sex education.

University of Southern California sociologist Julie Albright disagreed. She said it might be time to revamp sex education to "emphasize the importance of relationships and spell out the consequences of casual sex."

The study dispels the notion that all teen sex is bad, said Marie Harvey, professor of public health at Oregon State University.

"The type of relationship really matters. When it comes to sexual behavior, it takes two to tango," said Harvey, adding that safe sex should be practiced to prevent teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

___
Online:
http://www.asanet.org/ 
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.



I find the way the Family Research Council (an abominable group to begin with) put the word "committed" in scare quotes most offensive. As if teens don't have the capacity to make true commitments. There is not a single person on the face of the planet who can go back very far in their lineage and fail to find a teenage parent, who probably turned out just fine. It's only been in the past few decades that we've pathologized what has been throughout human history normative behavior.

This study simple reveals what we all should have already known on an intuitive basis. Making healthy, productive choices -- be it about school, employment, sex, or anything else -- is not a function of age but of personal responsibility. It's not the act of having casual sex per se that's harmful. It's the lifestyle that surrounds it: late night partying, alcohol and drug consumption, etc. The students engaging in casual sex are the ones least likely to care about school and the most likely to be sneaking around behind their parents' back. Students choosing to be in committed relationships are probably making responsible choices in other areas of their lives too.

The Family Research Council says that even if having committed sex doesn't damage grades, it's likely to lead to an increase in teenage pregnancy. Besides being a no-shit-Sherlock statement (sex can lead to pregnancy -- who'da thunk it?), it ignores the reality that teens who are making responsible relational choices are probably also more likely to make responsible contraception choices. It's the teens having casual sex who are at greatest risk of pregnancy and STDs.

That's not even taking into consideration the fact that not all teen pregnancies are accidental. I personally know one teenage couple who planned out their pregnancy over a year before they conceived, and now they're happily raising their daughter together. Some teenagers -- probably a lot more than most people are comfortable admitting -- simply want to be parents. Until a few years ago, such a normal, healthy desire wouldn't have raised eyebrows.
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4PackGirl
14 years ago
i was far FAR too busy to get good grades in high school.
Zero2Cool
14 years ago
Ever watch Billy Madison? If I had her for a teacher using those methods, I'd have been a scholar or whatever it is that's super smart.
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alharrisdude31
14 years ago

Ever watch Billy Madison? If I had her for a teacher using those methods, I'd have been a scholar or whatever it is that's super smart.

"Zero2Cool" wrote:


damn, i would be a library
zombieslayer
14 years ago

Last year, nearly half of high school students reported having sexual intercourse, and 14 percent have had four or more partners, according to a federal survey released this summer.



That's it? WTF is wrong with today's kids? I'm telling you, generation BORING. Today's kids don't know how to let loose and have real fun.

Teens in serious relationships may find social and emotional support in their sex partners, reducing their anxiety and stress levels in life and in school.



Well, no kidding. Adults who are into their kids not doing it have their heads up their butts.

I hate the Family Research Council almost as much as I hate Tipper Gore. These people stay awake all night worrying that somewhere, a teenager is having a good time.

I think teenagers should be taught the realities of drugs and sex. We've always been open about them both, and never lied to our son that we didn't do that stuff.

Yeah, agree with NSD. They're stating the obvious. People who commit tend to be more responsible. People who do random things tend to be less. Thus the grades. But alas, I'm all for the latter because you gotta get that out of your system before you "grow up."

I was "realistically reckless." Like as a teen, I'd drive 110 mph in Nevada on Highway 50 but the speed limit in residential areas because stupid kids will jump in front of your car. I knew it back then.

Same with sex. You generally can guess who has an STD and who doesn't and you're generally more right than wrong. Plus, what nobody likes to admit is condoms will protect you from STDs and use condoms + the pill and your chances of pregnancy are pretty close to zero.

Get it out of your system.
My man Donald Driver
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(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡Ή πŸ‡²πŸ‡² πŸ‡¦πŸ‡·
MontanaBob
14 years ago
Awwwh.............let the good times roll.
Anyone for a Weenie Roast?
Zero2Cool
14 years ago
I saw teen sex and montanabob ... had to click the link ...
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Cheesey
14 years ago
Kids "having a good time" isn't the problem.
It's the teen pregnancy, STD's and the girls who THINK the boy "loves" her, and who is emotionally crushed when he gets what he wants and then dumps her.
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Wade
  • Wade
  • Veteran Member
14 years ago
Best relationship I ever had was with my high school girlfriend. And of course I fucked it up. (Not by fucking, though; we never did.) But by the lack of commitment I showed after "going away to college."

Was no doubt better for her -- last I knew, over a decade ago now, she was happily married. But I've been paying the karma debt ever since.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
Zero2Cool
14 years ago
I wouldn't mind teen sex right about now. Providing it's 18 or 19. It'd help me focus better.
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