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01/09/2006
CWA's Crouse: 'Church Connection Prevents Teen Sex' WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 /Christian Newswire/ --
Concerned Women for America (CWA) lauds a just released report from Child
Trends and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy that explores the
data about teens delaying sex until after age 18. The report agrees, along
with CWA and numerous other groups, that strong parental relationships with
teens, involvement in church activities, guidance from parents, and
association with like-minded friends are keys to preventing early
teen-sexual activity.
Dr. Janice Crouse, Senior Fellow of CWA's Beverly LaHaye Institute, said, "The bottom line is that parents and friends have tremendous influence on their children regardless of socio-demographic or economic background and characteristics. The relationship that parents establish with their children determines –– to a very large extent –– their outcomes. Further, peer influence is vitally important; during the teen years, especially, having friends who attend the same church produces positive effects on teen sexual behavior." Specifically, the report finds that teens are less likely to have sex before age 18 if their parents hold strong religious beliefs that they explain to their children, they attend services together regularly, and are affiliated with a church denomination. Further, teens who worship together with their family and have a strong mother-teen relationship are more likely to delay having sex. In addition, teens with a network of friends from their church are much more likely to resist early sexual activity. Crouse added, "Far too many parents focus on providing material benefits and forget that children have spiritual needs that must be met. If we, as parents, don't feed their souls, they will seek to fill that emptiness with drugs, alcohol, or sex –– or they will turn to the dozens of other ways teens mess up their lives by seeking a parental and faith substitute." To see Janice Crouse's article on this topic, click here http://www.cwfa.org/articles/98 74/BLI/dotcommentary/index.htm. Concerned Women for America (CWA) is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.
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