The women's sport foundation conducted a study to test the popular claim that athletic participation reduces the likelihood of pregnancy among adolescents. Female Athletes Were More Likely to Be Virgins. Female Athletes Had Their First Intercourse Later in Adolescence. Female Athletes Had Sex Less Often. Female Athletes Had Fewer Sex Partners.
Female Athletes Are More Likely to use Contraceptives.
Another study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 1995, examined whether participation in extracurricular activities reduces the chances that young people will engage in risky behaviors. They compared adolescents in the 1990's to adolescents in the mid 1970's, early 1980's. Sixty percent of U.S. 12th graders and 27 percent of 10th graders do seven or more hours of paid work per week during the school year. Compared to students who reported spending 1-4 hours per week in extracurricular activities, students who reported spending no time in school sponsored activities were 37 percent more likely to have become teen parents. Once again these findings indicate that organized youth activities can help to deter risky behavior in adolescence and young adulthood.