(Ottawa) – A new study released today by the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada reveals that parental actions do influence teen sexual behaviour significantly. “Parents will be relieved to know that teaching your teens about sex doesn’t come down to just ‘the talk.’ It’s about actions and values conveyed over a longer period of time,” says researcher Peter Jon Mitchell.
The study uses data from Statistics Canada’s National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth to draw correlations between parent behaviours with children and teen decisions about sexual activity eight years later.
“Sexual activity for teens is fraught with risk,” says Mitchell, “and most parents agree delaying sexual activity is for the better. It’s encouraging to know that parents can play a role, and most importantly, that their teens want them to,” concludes Mitchell.
The study Rated PG—How parental influence impacts teen sexual activity can be read in full in English, here.
For additional information or comment, please contact: Peter Jon Mitchell, Researcher, at 613-565-3832