Early Sexual Initiation Among Boys: What Should We Do?

In the United States, the average age at first sexual intercourse, among both males and females, is approximately 17 years.¹ Prior studies have found that, among female and male adolescents, early sexual initiation (before age 13 years) is associated with increased sexual risks, including multiple sexual partners² and sexually transmitted diseases,³ and co-occurring risks, including binge drinking.² In studies in the United States and in other countries, early sexual initiation co-occurs with negative factors, including substance use, dating violence, and low school attachment, but the temporality of these associations is limited by cross-sectional study designs.⁴ The effects of early sexual initiation have also been shown to persist into adulthood, adversely affecting long-term sexual health,⁵ substance use behaviors (nicotine), and physical health (obesity).⁶ Given these links, national surveillance surveys among high school students in the United States track early sexual initiation as a key indicator of adolescent wellness. Understanding the causes, correlates, and contexts of early sexual initiation, particularly among young men, whose health needs are specific and often overlooked,⁷ can inform clinical and public health approaches to address and mitigate the consequences of early sexual initiation.