Long-Term Consequences for Teens With Older Sexual Partners

Using survey data from high school students, this Fact Sheet presents findings from recent Child Trends research examining whether having sexual intercourse before age 16 with a partner at least three years older was associated with becoming a teen or unmarried parent or acquiring a sexually transmitted disease (STD) by young adulthood (post-high school through the early twenties). Overall, the findings highlight the need for parents and programs to address and promote healthy sexual behaviors not only among young teens, but also among older teens and young adults.