Teens, Depression, Premarital Sex

Posted by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen May 25, 2007

University of Minnesota assistant sociology professor Ann Meier discovered that the majority of teens didn't experience depression after having sex for the first time. This doesn't fall in line with previous American legislation information; namely, that nonmarital sex between teens is harmful to their mental health.

Though the majority of teens weren't negatively affected by sex, there were some who were. Girls are particularly vulnerable to depression when they're younger teens and in relationships that aren't emotionally close. They're also more prone to depression when the relationship falls apart after having sex.

That girls - and boys - are negatively affected by more casual sex isn't suprising! Sharing your body for the first time when you're so young and uncommitted is huge. Not to mention the fact that you're dealing with hormones, teachers, parents, crazy emotions, and figuring out who you are! Meier states that the risk of suffering mental health problems due to teen sex is low -- but that's still a significant number of kids at risk (considering that half of the teen population is having sex).

Meier emphasized that the positive effects of nonmarital sex between teens is not represented in this study. Sex is splashed all over tv, movies, magazines, books -- it's no secret that we're a highly sexualized nation. Since forced isolation and abstinence isn't effective or healthy, the best approach may be to talk to your kid (if you can) about why she's having sex -- and help her make choices best suited to her personality and lifestyle.