Preteenage relationship with an older partner may lead to early first sex.

In 1997 a survey was conducted among 2829 urban ethnically diverse sixth graders in 19 middle schools in northern California. 56% of the sixth graders had never had a serious romantic relationship 35% had a boyfriend or girlfriend < 2 years older than they and 9% had been involved with someone at least 2 years older. Overall this survey shows that 1% of those who had never had a romantic attachment had had sex compared with 6% of those with a same-age boyfriend or girlfriend and 19% of those with an older boyfriend or girlfriend. The researchers also conducted multivariate logistic regression analyses to assess which characteristics had independent effects on sixth graders likelihood of having initiated sexual activity. This study demonstrates the significant role that older boyfriends and girlfriends play in early sexual initiation. It was noted that pre-adolescent relationships with older partners are particularly risky because they are associated with unwanted sexual advances and peer norms encouraging sexual activity. Hence interventions are needed that provide young people with a sense of their personal power the ability to state feelings and needs and an ability to set limits and personal boundaries.