11 Surprising Truths About Teens and Sex

How do teen boys honestly feel about sex and relationships? Seventeen Magazine and The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy partnered on a survey of 1,200 15-22-year-old guys* to find out!

1. Girls Have a Powerful Influence Over Their Boyfriends:
>78% of guys say their girlfriend influences their decisions about sex.

2. But Guys Are Confused About Their Role
Guys admit to being confused about…
>70% are confused about how to know whether or not a girl wants them to initiate sex and what a girl expects from them after sex.
>63% are confused about what's pleasurable for a girl.
>48% are confused about what to do during sex.

3. Sex Isn't Necessarily the First Thing on a Guy's Mind:
>45% of guys in this sample are still virgins and 40% are not looking for sex or hook-ups.
Many are not in a rush and may actually regret moving too fast:
>45% have had sex with someone and regretted it afterward, and almost half say it's good to wait to have sex until you're married.

4. They're More Interested in Relationships Than Sex:
>Two-thirds (66%) agree that they, personally, could be happy in a sex-free relationship.
Their future is more important to them:
>58% would rather get into their dream college than have sex with their dream girl.

5. But the Pressure Is On:
> From society: 78% say there is way too much pressure from society to have sex.
> From friends: 14% have lied to stop friends from pressuring them to have sex.
> Even from girls! 21% have been pressured by a girl to go further sexually than they wanted to and 56% often feel relieved when a girl wants to wait to have sex.

So many say they lie to appear cooler or protect their reputation.
>60% admit they've lied about something related to sex and 30% have lied about how far they've gone sexually.

6. Being Intimate Is Actually Quite Significant to Boys:
>53% say they won't have sex with someone unless they really love her.
The first time is a big deal for guys, too
>80% of virgins / 67% of non-virgins say their first time will be / was a big deal and 95% would rather have sex with someone they love than a random girl .
>75% would choose to WAIT to lose their virginity to someone they love than to lose their virginity as soon as possible.

7. Teen Guys Actually Really Want Relationships (Even if There is no Sex Involved!)
>49% are looking for a serious relationship.
>66% would rather have a girlfriend with NO sex than have sex but NO girlfriend.

8. Double-Standards Still Exist Between Guys and Girls
>53% say having lots of hook-ups makes guys more popular (but 76% don't think the same of girls.)
Though more than half of guys describe girls who carry condoms as…
Safe (57%), Responsible (55%), Careful (54%)
A large percentage also describes them as…
Promiscuous (42%), Easy (34%), Aggressive (23%)

9. Guys Actually Respect Girls Who Say No
>84% say they have more respect for girls who stop a hook-up if they aren't ready or comfortable and 73% have more respect for girls who say no to sex.
Even though guys are, admittedly, risk-takers…
>69%* admit to risky behavior when it comes to sex.
>57%* admit to having had unprotected sex.
>44%* have had a pregnancy scare with a girl they've had sex with.

10. It Doesn't Take Much to Convince Him to Use Protection
Many would be persuaded by…
>87% their own desire to prevent pregnancy.
>80% to prevent STDs.

QUIZ: IS YOUR KID STD SAVVY?

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SURPRISING TRUTHS ABOUT TEENS AND SEX

11. Education Is Needed!
>42% didn't know that a girl can get pregnant during her period.
>34% didn't know that wearing two condoms at the same time is not more effective than wearing one.
>20% didn't know that a girl can still get pregnant if she's on the pill.
Some Guys Also Don't Know…
>21% how to prevent STDs.
>18% how to prevent pregnancy.

FINALLY: Talk to Them - They're Listening!
Parents are the third greatest influence of guys' decisions about sex…
>78% Girlfriend
>62% Friends
>53% Parents

You Really Can Make a Difference:
>53% have ever had a conversation with a parent about preventing pregnancy.
>Though only 65% of those who've had a conversation say it was somewhat or very helpful to them.
>Guys are more comfortable talking to mom about relationships, but more comfortable talking to dad about sex.

MORE FROM SEVENTEEN.COM:

Get Expert Advice to Teens' Most Common Sex Questions

Real Teen Guys Give Dating Advice

Quiz: Are You STD Savvy?

See Real Sex Questions From Teen Girls

Get More Info At National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

*1,200 15- to 22-year-old males were surveyed online because of its high penetration (93%) among this population, but also because of the sensitive nature of the content of this survey, allowing young people to answer candidly (i.e., no adult interviewer) within the context of their preferred communications method.