More than half of sexually active youths reported that they had sex at their or their partner's home after school, and, particularly for boys, sexual-and-drug-related risks increased as the amount of unsupervised time increased.

• According to a study conducted by and reported in Pediatrics, researchers found that substantial numbers of youths currently spend long periods of time (4 or more hours) without adult supervision and have limited opportunities to participate in after-school activities. More than half of sexually active youths reported that they had sex at a home after school, and, particularly for boys, sexual-and drug-related risks increased as the amount of unsupervised time increased. According to the article, as youths come of age, parents probably believe that it is appropriate to leave them increasingly on their own and prevention approaches have concentrated on providing information and motivation for abstinence or safer sex. However, given the independent association between the amount of unsupervised time and sexual and substance use behaviors, it is worth considering increasing youth supervision, if not by parents, then by programs organized at school or other in community settings. Researchers of this study stated that parents and community members should consider increasing opportunities for supervised activities to determine whether this will reduce risk-taking among youths.¹

¹When and Where Do Youths Have Sex? The Potential Role of Adult Supervision, Pediatrics, Vol. 110, No. 6, December 2002, pp. 1-6.

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