The following results are drawn from a national survey of 520 young people (261 boys and 259 girls) ages 12-17. The telephone survey was conducted September 6-10, 2007 by International Communications Research. Survey results provide a nationally-representative estimate of those aged 12-17. All results presented here are for teens (boys and girls) aged 12-17, unless otherwise noted. For more information, download a copy of Kiss and Tell or visit our Online Store to order copies.
If a healthy relationship is one that includes love, trust, mutual respect, and honesty, would you say that most of your friends are in romantic relationships that are:
Teens aged 12-17 |
Boys aged 12-17 |
Girls aged 12-17 |
Healthy = 68%
Unhealthy = 17%
Not in relationships = 10%
Don’t know = 6%
|
Healthy = 68%
Unhealthy = 17%
Not in relationships = 8%
Don’t know = 6%
|
Healthy = 67%
Unhealthy = 16%
Not in relationships = 11%
Don’t know = 5%
|
Young people are exposed to many competing messages about sex, love and relationships—from parents to friends to media. Who influence you most when it comes to your dating relationships?
Teens aged 12-17 |
Boys aged 12-17 |
Girls aged 12-17 |
Parents = 35%
Friends = 28%
Religious leader/faith community = 3%
The media = 4%
Siblings = 4%
Boyfriend or girlfriend = 2%
Other family member = 2%
No one = 5%
Don’t know = 16%
|
Parents = 30%
Friends = 29%
Religious leader/faith community = 3%
The media = 4%
Boyfriend or girlfriend = 2%
Siblings = 3%
Other family member = 2%
No one = 5%
Don’t know = 19%
|
Parents = 40%
Friends = 27%
Religious leader/faith community = 3%
The media = 4%
Siblings = 6%
Boyfriend or girlfriend = 1%
Other family member = 1%
No one = 5%
Don’t know = 13%
|
Is there a couple you know who serves as an example of a healthy relationship? Who is that?
Teens aged 12-17 |
Boys aged 12-17 |
Girls aged 12-17 |
Friends = 31%
Parents = 30%
No one = 17%
Other family members = 10%
Other adults = 1%
Don’t know = 10%
|
Friends = 36%
Parents = 25%
No one = 17%
Other family members =7%
Other adults = 1%
Don’t know = 11%
|
Friends = 25%
Parents = 35%
No one = 17%
Other family members = 12%
Other adults = 1%
Don’t know = 8%
|
Do you find it very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, very difficult or impossible to talk to your parents about relationship issues?
Teens aged 12-17 |
Easy (net) = 65%
Very easy = 28%
Somewhat easy = 37%
Difficult (net) = 25%
Somewhat difficult = 20%
Very difficult = 5%
Impossible = 4%
Don’t know = 6% |
At what age do you think parents should start talking with their kids about sex, love, and relationships?
Teens aged 12-17 |
Boys aged 12-17 |
Girls aged 12-17 |
12 and younger =28%
13-14 = 52%
15-17 = 15%
18 and older = 2%
Don’t know = 3%
|
12 and younger = 27%
13-14 = 51%
15-17 = 16%
18 and older = 2%
Don’t know = 3%
|
12 and younger = 30%
13-14 = 53%
15-17 = 14%
18 and older = 2%
Don’t know = 2%
|
Have you ever felt pressure to be in a romantic relationship before you were ready?
Teens aged 12-17 |
Boys aged 12-17 |
Girls aged 12-17 |
|
|
|
What would you say is the most important part of a healthy relationship?
Teens aged 12-17 |
Boys aged 12-17 |
Girls aged 12-17 |
Trust = 44%
Honesty = 20%
Mutual respect = 8%
Don’t Know = 8%
Compatibility = 6%
Physical attraction = 1%
|
Trust = 40%
Honesty = 18%
Mutual respect = 7%
Don’t Know = 10%
Compatibility = 10%
Physical attraction = 1%
|
Trust = 48%
Honesty = 21%
Mutual respect = 8%
Don’t Know = 6%
Compatibility = 3%
|
What do you spend more time worrying about?
Teens aged 12-17 |
School = 85%
Romantic relationships = 12%
Don’t know = 3% |
For more information, download a copy of Kiss and Tell or visit our Online Store to order copies.
| Funding for this project was provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Grant Number: 90-FE-0024. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. |