New Study Looks at Sexual Activity of Teen Girls

Girls Inc, the nonprofit organization that inspires girls to be strong, smart, and bold, just released findings from its Girls Shape the Future study that gives new info on the factors that affect teen girls’ sexual behaviors and attitudes.

The study examined the belief that girls whose futures are considered at risk because of things like race, family configuration, or economic status, are at high risk for engaging in early sexual activity. But the Girls Inc study shows that there is no difference between the rate of early sexual activity among girls considered “at risk” and the general population of girls.

Interestingly, the study did show that there are 2 very important factors which play critical roles in protecting girls – regardless of their socioeconomic status and household structure – against early sexual activity. Any guesses?

Mom and school. That’s right. The better the quality of girls’ relationship with their mothers and their achievement in school, especially reading proficiency, the less likely girls were to engage in early sexual behavior.

Click here to read all the findings of the Girls Shape the Future study.