At-Risk Girls From Poor Areas Are Twice as Likely to Have Sex in Early Teens

A new study finds that young girls who have a history of behavioral problems and live in poor neighborhoods are twice as likely as their peers to have sex in early adolescence. Researchers cited peer characteristics, deviant peers and older male friends, as partly accounting for early sexual debut.

"The results suggest that neighborhoods shape peer groups, which in turn influence when girls become sexually active," said lead author Veronique Dupere, a post-doctoral fellow at Tufts University who completed the research while at the University of Montreal.

The study examined 2,596 Canadians ages 12-15 from various socioeconomic strata. Girls from low-income areas who were involved in fighting, bullying, vandalism or running away from home were more likely to have deviant peers and older male friends who influenced their sexual behavior. These factors did not seem to influence teen boys.

"For girls in general who have no behavioral problems, for them the neighborhood doesn't make a difference," Dupere said.

"Youth turn to peers first to get information about sex," said a sex educator with the Montreal group Head and Hands, who asked to be identified only as Jocelyn. "The best thing you can do is try to instill confidence in young people and good self-esteem, and that's the strongest antidote to negative peer pressure." In addition, sex education needs to address emotional preparedness for sex, such as developing healthy relationships and "knowing your own limits," she said.

"Youth who have a sense of optimism towards their future in terms of education and employment are much more likely to be receptive to educational messages about how to improve sexual health," said Alex McKay, a research coordinator with the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada.

The report, "Neighborhood Poverty and Early Transition to Sexual Activity in Young Adolescents: A Developmental Ecological Approach," was published in Child Development (2008;79(5):1463-1476).

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