Why do a lot of parents associate the phrase 'teenage dating' with 'teenage pregnancy'?!?

Question

I was just browsing through Y!A and was amazed at the number of responses to questions that automatically assumed a 13-year-old having a boyfriend was going to lead to a 13-year-old mother. Do you believe that s*x in preteens is that prevalent?

Answer 1

I dont know, good question.

Answer 2

A lot of 13 year olds are having s*x.

it's a disgrace. I'm not letting my kid date 'till there 14.  

Answer 3

i think its so stupid how everyone just expects that if teenagers are dating they're going to have s*x. it irritates the c**p out of me.

Answer 4

Because desgracefully, a lot of 13, 14, 15 year old's are already having s*x.

Answer 5

People hate the possibility of it to tell you the truth. And we all remember being 13 and we all remember being 17...it may only be 4 years but at any give 4 year period you want different things and it would often be safe to assume that the 17 year old would want something different from the 13 year old. It's up to the parents but I wouldn't stand for it, especially given the illegality of it.

Answer 6

No, I don't, but it does happen a lot.

I think in a lot of cases, the 13 year old has a 16 year old boyfriend, and she ends up being taken advantage of or raped, so she ends up pregnant, and that's what people are worried about.  

Answer 7

Because interest in s*x begins when interest in the oppostie s*x, and dating, start.

Young teens do not always have common sense, are easily pressured, do things because "everyone else is", are lead to believe that being nasty is cool due to tv and music. Too many parents stick their heads in the sand cuz they're too embarassed, or busy, or don't care enough to tell them about it.

There's a lot of questions on here, I'm 13 and I had unprotected s*x. CUD I'S BE PREGANENT? Doesn't speak well for their intelligence. They could've googled it if they wanted.

Answer 8

No.  Younger teens can have "relationships" and not have s*x or get pregnant.  Ages 15 and younger, how else will they go on a date?  Parents would have to drive them or drop them off so the parent knows exactly where they are.  The the boyfriend or girlfriend go over the others house, obviously they are being supervised by  the parents.  Besides I remember at 13 having a boyfriend ment holding hands, having lunch together, and hugging before classes.

Answer 9

Because one often leads to the other. Not always, but often enough to make us parents of teens nervous.

My 13 yr old daughter has a girl in her class who has a child, and has had 2 abortions. By 13!! Her own mom had her at 12, so she was a grandma before 25.