71% of 13-16 year olds who had sexual intercourse said they did it because of curiosity.

Sexuality Content in Print Media

While many children watch 3-plus hours of television in a day, kids spend much less time engaged in reading activities. On average, youth only spend about 45 minutes a day engaged in some variety of leisure reading of books, magazines and newspapers.

Use of print media can have both positive and negative consequences for young people. On the positive side, the act of reading is clearly and positively associated with increased academic performance at school including better grades.

However, unlimited access to pop culture magazines may negatively influence young peoples’ attitudes about themselves and sexuality. This is particularly true when it comes to young women and body image issues.

Young people consult print media, particularly magazines, to learn about their lives and the culture around them. Many teen magazines are geared toward the young female reader and include titles like Seventeen, YM, CosmoGirl and Elle Girl and focus on things like beauty and fashion and offer dating advice.

Magazines geared toward teen men and boys tend to be special-interest magazines focused on such subjects as computer/video games and extreme sports (snowboarding and BMX biking, for example). However, many teenage men report reading magazines like Maxim, Stuff, Sports Illustrated and Vibe.

While magazines like Stuff and Maxim are dripping with sexuality and scantily-clad female images, sexual health issues are covered only superficially, with more focus on how to be an outstanding lover. Unfortunately, the same notion is magazines geared toward young women. Important sexual health topics, such as birth control and sexually transmitted diseases, are covered infrequently and represent about 3% of the content. Emphasis is placed on being attractive and desirable to potential partners.