The 100-Teen-vs.-100-Parent Promiscuity Poll

Everything You Don't Want to Know About Your Kid’s Sex Life

(Photo: Frank Schwere)

What the parents are saying about . . .
Sexual orientation
“My son is definitely straight. We have a gay relative and he doesn’t like him.”
mother of a 15-year-old boy

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Kids

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Parents

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All Responses

Why their teen hasn’t had sex
“Religion, community, and parenting.”
father of a 17-year-old girl

“I think it’s insecurity.”
father of a 15-year-old girl

Teen sex overall
“Stay tight to wear white.”
father of a 13-year-old girl

“I don’t think it should happen, but I’m being a hypocrite there.”
father of an 18-year-old boy

“It depends on the person. I know men over 40 who still shouldn’t be having sex.”
father of a 17-year-old boy

“As long as it’s consensual, beyond 16, have fun!”
mother of an 18-year-old boy

What is appropriate
“First base. The other bases lead to a home run.”
mother of a 17-year-old girl

What isn’t appropriate
“Sex isn’t appropriate. Oral, anal, it’s all sex.”
father of a 16-year-old girl

“Sex with prostitutes.”
mother of a 16-year-old boy

“You should not indulge in sex unless you have a job to support buying condoms or birth control.”
mother of a 16-year-old girl

Talking to their kids about sex
“The last time I did I was sweating because he started asking too many personal questions.”
mother of a 13-year-old boy

“I talk about disease. Never talk about pleasure: It encourages them.”
mother of an 18-year-old girl

“I often tell him to wait because his hormones are controlling him.”
mother of a 17-year-old boy

“I gave my son pointers on flirting.”
father of a 15-year-old boy

“Yes, because going to college is difficult if you’re pregnant.”
father of a 14-year-old girl

Whether their kids are open with them about sex
“My wife handles that.”
father of a 16-year-old girl

“They never are.”
father of a
13-year-old boy

“Completely. We’re best friends.”
mother of a 16-year-old girl

More answers from parents

Additional reporting by Mary Burke, Katie Charles, Renee DeFranco, Daniel Grushkin, Stirling Kelso, Nichole Marks, Suzanne Mozes, Elise Shin, and Bree Sposato.