Some of the Research Findings Research and analysis on the ways peers influence teens' sexual behavior was conducted for the National Campaign by Peter Bearman, Ph.D., Columbia University, Susan Philliber, Ph.D., Philliber Research Associates, and B. Bradford Brown, Ph.D., the University of Wisconsin. Parents can and do influence peer influence. Peer support groups can produce some positive effects for teens, but they have not yet shown that they can affect teen pregnancy risk. The consensus among parents and teens is that peers exert a positive influence. Some Advice From Teens Based on the suggestions offered by the readers of Teen People magazine, the Campaign's own Youth Leadership Team , and focus groups from around the country, the National Campaign has developed two pamphlets with advice for parents and teens from teens themselves.
Sex is serious.
Make a plan. Protecting your feelings is one of them. Sex won't make him yours, and a baby won't make him stay. Instead, start talking with us about sex and responsibility when we're young, and keep the conversation going as we grow older. Whether we're having sex or not, we need to be prepared.