Teens 'under pressure to have sex'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A poll of more than 1,000 13 to 17-year-olds found more than a third (34%) were more likely to have sex over Christmas, while more than two-thirds (68%) were more likely to drink alcohol. A quarter (25%) said they felt under increased pressure to have sex at this time of year.

Despite the statistics, two thirds of parents still believe sex is something that other people's children have.

The survey was commissioned as part of the Time To Talk campaign, which encourages parents to talk to their children about such issues.

The campaign highlighted figures from the Office for National Statistics which show a dramatic increase in conception rates among teenagers during December and January. The figures show about 21,000 conceptions among under-18s in these months between 2000/05, compared with just over 18,000 in February and just over 19,500 in November during the same time period.

The survey found that teenagers cited their peers as the main source of pressure on them to have sex (58%), while 15% blamed the media.

More than three quarters of boys (77%) said they felt the pressure came from their friends, compared with 44% of girls.

Gill Frances, chairwoman of the Government's Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group, said: "We've now got solid research which shows young people are much more likely to get pregnant over Christmas than at other times of the year.

"I know that many parents are already doing a brilliant job of talking to their teenagers about sex and relationships but I'd urge all parents to give it a try.

"It's never too late to start talking about sex and relationships and having that conversation now, before the Christmas party season, could make a very positive difference to a young person's life."