Teen sex and good grades: What's the connection?

A new study finds that within a 'committed relationship' sexual activity has no effect on academic performance. Time to rethink sex ed?

Students and sex
(Image credit: Corbis)

Having sex may not be bad for your children's education. Those are the findings of a new study from the University of California, Davis, comparing sexually active teenagers to their more virginal peers. The researchers concluded that teens in "committed relationships" tend to do no better or worse in school than those who are not sexually active. Teenagers who practice casual sex, however, have markedly lower grades. What does this tell us about teenage sex?

We should rethink how we teach sex ed: This news ought to make "worried parents... breathe a little easier," says Megan Friedman at Time. The study overturns "conventional notions" that teen sex detracts from schoolwork. Hopefully, this study will "cast new light on sex education in schools" by focusing attention on the positive influence of a committed relationship — and the high costs of casual sex.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up
Latest Videos FromThe Week