This document discusses factors that influence sexual activity in adolescents ages 15-19 in the United States. Nearly half have had sex at least once. Key influencing factors include family, peers, biology, media exposure, and socioeconomic status. Positive influences like parental involvement, high self-esteem, and monitored media can decrease risks, while risks increase with less parental attention, peer pressure to fit in, and living in poor neighborhoods. Increased sexual activity in adolescents is linked to higher rates of STIs, unwanted pregnancy, and school dropout.

2. Nearly half of all 15-19 year
olds in the United States
have had sex at least once…

3. FAMILY
PEERS
BIOLOGY

4. Putting attention to their children
Spending time with them
Talking about sexual relations and their
consequences
Knowing their whereabouts

5.  Peers add pressure
 Friends follow friends
The “FITTING IN” factor

6. The more intense pubertal
maturation an adolescent
has, the higher the sexual
activity is seen.

7. Less attentions to
adolescents
Girls having
boyfriends
and being
alone
SEX
Poor
neighborhoods Parents working more

8.  More exposure leads to
more sexual action…
 Kids should be limited to
at most 1-2 hours per
day
 Kids should not have a
TV in their room
 Most sexual facts are
informed through the
media
Abercrombie and Fitch
Ads

9.  Increase in Sexually Transmitted
Infections (STI’s)
 Increase in Unwanted pregnancies
 Higher school drop out rates
 Increase in help for low income families

10. Positive
PEERS
Parents
being
involved
High self-
esteem
Monitored
media

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