Responsible parents will already tell you they are confident of such a correlation, so shouting this new study from the roof tops won’t change many attitudes. A footnote to the study, however, may be particularly useful to involved parents. Indeed, a greater predictor as to teenage sexual activity was peer influence, or more specifically, whether a teen believes his or her peers are sexually active.

Let me restate that in clear and concise terms. If you are a parent who wants to avoid having a child sexually active, keep them away from other kids who are sexually active or who give others the impression that they are sexually active. According to the study, if your child believes peers are playing the field, they will be more inclined to run into harms way. So how important is peer influence?  According to this study, it is even more important than being exposed to inappropriate media.

I am reminded of the scripture to “gather together often” (Alma 6:6) as it relates to those with common standards and morals. It is almost as if a Supreme Being knows more about us than we know about ourselves. What a unique thought.

We are also warned in the scriptures about wolves appearing in sheep’s clothing. And therein lies the most significant danger. It is a sad truth that some “gather” because their parents force them to or they feel compelled to do so. Some “gather” despite the fact that they have not changed their behavior. These circumstances become especially dangerous because parents send their children off to gather with teenagers who on the surface have their same values and morals, but behind the facade, they have not abandoned their bad behavior.

In short, we cannot assume that simply because teenagers are gathering at a church activity or event, that they are safe. Though it is true that they are safer than participating in other activities, it is not true that they are not still exposed to some negative peer influence.

I recall as a youth having many others tell me of their “extracurricular” activities. They either took the gospel too lightly or they felt guilty and assumed that such revelations would some how make them whole. If we are to accept the study’s results, then both types would be dangerous to teenagers. This is not to advocate a position of not forgiving others, but it would stand that those who choose to discuss their sinful failings are probably not good peers for your children.

To that end, we are left with parents as the last line of defense for our children. So as a parent, are you up to the task?

The researchers of the study on media and sexual behavior noted that the United States has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the industrialized world. They attribute this to the fact that as Americans we do not discuss such things with our children. In 2006, however, the harsh realities of the world require that we let our children know and understand the consequences of ignoring personal chastity. It also requires parents to be more diligent in examining the peers of our children.

Finding teenagers with like morals and good character is a must in today’s world. As negative peer influence impacts our teens, so too can positive peer influence. Certainly, screening our media is important, but perhaps more important is knowing the peers of our children. Who are they really? What do they discuss and do when no one is listening or watching?

Our careful watch over the friends of our children may be more useful than even monitoring what TV programs or movies our kids are watching. Though this recent study only confirms what we may already know, every little insight that helps us as parents is useful. Keeping an eye on the friends of our children now becomes an important tool in the arsenal.