by Brent C. Miller

About the author: Brent C. Miller is a professor and the head of the department of family and human development at Utah State University.

Over two decades of research confirms that families—and particularly parents— are an important influence on whether their teenagers become pregnant or cause a pregnancy. In a variety of ways, parental behavior and the nature of parent/child relationships influence teens’ sexual activity and use of contraception. While parents cannot determine whether their children have sex, use contraception, or become pregnant, the quality of their relationships with their children can make a real difference.

Parent/Child Relationships

Parent/child connectedness. The overwhelming majority of studies indicate that parent/child closeness is associated with reduced teen pregnancy risk; teens who are close to their...