tyra "shocked" by results of teen sex survey. but how valid are her stats?

A few weeks ago Tyra Banks continued the daytime talk show tradition of parading teen girls across the stage, grilling them about their sex lives and then acting shocked when they say things like, "I'm 13 and want a baby!" or, "I'm 15 and have already slept with 20 guys."

The excuse for this latest round of gawking was to discuss the results of a sex survey that the Tyra Show had conducted. According to these results:

• On average, girls are losing their virginity at 15 years of age.
• 14 percent of teens who are having sex say they’re doing it at school.
• 52 percent of survey respondents say they do not use protection when having sex.
• One in three says she fears having a sexually transmitted disease.
• 24 percent of teens with STDssay they still have unprotected sex.
• One in five girls says she wants to be a teen mom.
• About 50 percent acknowledge that they’ve hit someone.
• One out of three teens has tried drugs.

Like Tyra, the audience seemed stunned.  But I was skeptical.  These numbers weren't reflected in any of the research that I have come across. For example, a study done by the well respected Kinsey Institute, found that only 25% of girls were first having sex at 15. This doesn't quite sound like the "average" Tyra claims.

Additionally, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey done by the CDC put teen condom use at 62%, not 52%. That same survey found that 35% of students had been in a physical fight--a far lower number than the 50% found by Tyra.

So what's up with the discrepancies? Basically, the quality of the research is to blame. The thing that Tyra failed to highlight was that all of her survey respondents were self-selected. That means the only people who responded were either girls who watched Tyra or those who went to her website. Any researcher will tell you that Tyra's method is not a good way to get an accurate sample.

What these results tell me is not what the majority of American girls are doing. What they tell me is what the majority of Tyra watchers who bother to fill out surveys in their free time are doing.

TV talk shows love to scandalize--that's how they keep their ratings up. But is doing it at the expense of teen girls' reputations acceptable? What do you think of the Tyra study and the impression it gives about teens?

Photo provided by Stephen Lovekin

Comments

[Heaven Haile]

I think alot of teens are doing it at a younger age because they think there in love or because thats what they feel they should do in a relationship. Im 17 and still a virgin...i've dated plenty of guys but having sex should'nt be like shaking someones hand. U should really understand how the other gender thinks before having sex...most guys in there teens think about sex none stop and would do anything to get it....so be smart.

[penis büyütücü]

YOUR LEGS! ReMEMBER LADIES, IF A BOY SLEEPS WITH 10 GIRLS-HE'S A KING. IF A GIRL SLEEPS WITH 10 BOYS...SHE'S A SLUT!!!

[penis büyütücü]

YOUR LEGS! ReMEMBER LADIES, IF A BOY SLEEPS WITH 10 GIRLS-HE'S A KING. IF A GIRL SLEEPS WITH 10 BOYS...SHE'S A SLUT!!!

[maria arenas]

HI i want to tell you i don't think about losing my virginity iam 12 and like 10 boys tolld me to have SEX WITH THEM I TOLD THEM no i want to be a virgin until i am married. and people that are losing theire virginity first know how to past 10th and then we talk

[claire]

I had sex for the first time at 14.
I don't regret it. But it wasnt the smartest thing to do.
I hadn't known him for very long but we because very close very quickly. We ended up having sex 4 times and only used protection once.
I didn't get pregnant. Nor do I have any STD's.

Almost a year later I am with a boyfriend that I really care about. He was a virgin. And we both decided it was best we waited before having sex. When he did decide he was ready we made sure we had condoms and that they would fit and all that stuff.
I am now on other forms of birth control.

While Tyras statistics seem a little off to me there certainly are teenagers doing all of the things that were claimed. But there is a large majority of teenagers that are being responsible and doing the right thing.
Most of the people I know that do drugs do not do it often and only do it with people that they trust.
And most of the people I know that are having sex do it resposibly and maturely.

[Brittany]

i found it ironic that one of the young girls spelled condoms "condemns".

i think that's pretty self explanatory.

[Dawny]

Okay. All You people swearing and stuff at Tyra really need to calm yourself. Shes just worried about teenage girls, which she should be. We've been getting more and more reckless over the years and it makes me sad to see my friends getting caught up in the peer pressure and the hype.
And all those people freaking out about how she used false stats, Tyra has TONS of people working on her show. I highly doubt she got those stats herself.
I think everybody need to chill. This isnt a hater site. If you really have a problem with tyra or what she said, go on her website or write her a letter. Dont sit around and try to make yourself feel better by dissing people. This thread was started to talk about the stats, not about tyra being a "bitch" and how her "weave is too tight". Thats just rude.

[imagine that]

tyra looks shocked in that picture but its prolly cause her weave is so tight is pulling her eyebrows up.

[oh yeah]

and tyra sucks and only really cares about herself. she is crazy rolling around only the floor rubbing vasiline on herself.

[whoa whoa whoa]

i thought i was on a teen resource sight and what is up with all the profanity. using your mouth like that pretty much puts you on a lower level just like the slutty girls.

[dont needa kno dat]

i waz juzt reading thru all of these commentsz and i think tha girl b or wateva her name iz iza racist bych and she needsz to get a muthfucciin life and live it....im not a racist but alot of white r havin sexx at tha tha same and rate az black so get ova yurself bych

[Haley]

Those aren't that off.
I go to a public highschool and that sounds EXTREMELY accurate. I know girls who fit at least one of those statistics. My best friend alone fits 5 of those. I don't fit any. But still, those are all normal occurences at my school. Sad but true.

[lalala]

well i think some of tyra's information is a bit off sure there are some slutty girls in the world im not denying that there isnt but i am 13 and in 8th grade and i have heard MANY MANY boys pressuring there girlfriends into having sex so maybe we should look at the boys cause the girls cant lose their virginity by themselves

[amy]

First off, I love tyra, but some of these stats are a bit off, not all of them. I'm still a virgin, I'm proud of it and I plan on keeping my virginity for a long time, until I find the guy I want to marry. And all those people having sex at 12 and 13 - youre still kids! You might think it sounds cool saying I had sex when I was 12. It wont be so cool when you get pregnant and have no way of supporting your child. And anyway, what guy would stay with a pregnant kid? What guy would want that? They dont feel its their responsibility, no matter what they tell you

[anonymoussss(:]

uhm...i think it is absolutely ridiculos for people to leaving comments about people being "whores" for having sex @ 13. you have no right to judge something you know nothing about. you dont know the situation with the girls so just watch what your saying . I'm 15 & I'm still a virgin...but I know personally..from the people around me....that 15 is definately the average. All the other statistics sure did seem EXCEPTIONALLY exxagerated . & the world isn't changing. IF YOU HAVENT NOTICED ; people used to get married @ like 12 & 13 ... & have MULTIPLE CHILDREN . like UHM HELLO ;

mary was 12 when she gave birth 2 jesus . ( 12...13...)

[i was raped]

im 11 and i had sex BY MISTAKE i was raped and do you think thats considered being a whore cause i had sex?

im sure you didnt think bout that

[Brianna]

Whoa. Wtf. I am 16, I lost my virginity at 15, to a guy who promised he loved me. I thought I loved him too. So I gave it. It ended up being a one-night-stand. I cried and all but IM OVER IT. Girls at 13 and 12 having sex, no its not disgusting. It's sad. What's disgusting is the other girls on here bragging about multiple partners. Can sex not be intimate anymore? I've had 2 partners. I've cared deeply for both. Tyra is a TALK SHOW HOSTESS. THEY LIE. Its all for money quit crying.
And to Paul the 21 year old. Fuck off, Seriously. I can't even believe you wrote that. You broke up with her bc of sex partners. If she was great enough to fuck then you should have been able to look beyond her past asshole. Seriously? Grow up. You weren't "in love" im sure your cock was. And it does take two people. Guys are disgusting, EVERYONE of my guy friends spends 99% of their time either begging for naked pics, getting them, watching porn, begging for sex or getting it. So, I dont even want to hear it. Guys are sluts. Period. Girls are pressured ALL THE TIME to have sex. Some are stupid, its none of your business. And if I ever meet the all knowing 21 yr old paul. ill rip his dick off and make him swallow it. It's sad but true, our society and media has turned sex into something dirty and uncherished.

[anonymous]

okay. all you girls who are calling tyra a bitch and are against her are fucking whores! like, how big of a retard are you? come on! this world is completely changing and honestly. the girl who said she had sex at 13, YOU ARE A WHORE! all these girls are having sex and being dirty at these ages. you should be ashamed of yourselves. the girl who is 18 knows it right! she didnt go off and had sex at fucking 10 or 13! like ew. your disquisting whores. get over yourselves.

[Shanerra Tannika Brooks]

Okay i like Tyra alot but is Tyra a virgin? Im sure she's not. Matter of fact im positive she's not so she needs to get a grip. I'm a virgin and i will remain one until im married but she has no right to judge anyone. Se has become VERY judgemental on her show and people will think twice about participating if she continues this pattern.

[Destiny]

How did the center of attention become Tyra? isn't it supposedly sex? And she may have exaggerated by numbers yet surprisingly it is about correct...teenagers are having sex like crazy these days...it's not about 'abstinence' anymore it's PROTECTION. In my opinion little girls who just growing breasts and hitting puberty shouldn't be engaging in such activities...but yes some girls lose virginity "on their own terms"...the moment has to be right...you must be ready...sex isn't a toy...it's serious business. Once you're certain about what you're doing then I wish you all the best - don't exploit yourselves my fellow chicas, that's all I'm asking of you.:-)

[Caree]

After reading this article and everyones comment, I realized I just had to post a comment. Im 18, and lost my virginity at 16, to the same guy I am with now. That means I have only had sex with one guy, only one, and with any luck I plan on keeping it that way.
The problem I have with girls out there is when you are so young, such as 10, 11, 12 years old. I'm sorry if you think everyone is being cruel and treating you like you're still kids. But the truth is, you are. It won't kill you to wait till you are at least a teenager to consider having sex.
I also have a problem with every else out there who think that any girl who is having sex has no respect for themselves, or is labeled easy or a slut. For some girls that might be true, but there are so many other girls out there like me and several of my close friends that are far from it. I am a conservative girl who doesn't flaunt that I have sex, and I sure don't act easy or give off signals that say come and get me! I find is so offensive when people say that so many teen girls today have no self repsect and put themselves out there like sluts. The only reason people get this impression is because of the girls that always seem to make it into the public eye. They ruin it for the rest of us.
The point is when girls start to get older, into their teen years they start being able to make decisions for themselves. And yes sex is most definately one of them. I don't understand why something so natural should be such a horrible thing. This isn't George Orwell's 1984. Sex isn't a horrible thing. I wish society, or should I say the adults and media of today's society would stop turning this into an unnatural aspect.

[Taryn]

Firstly, just to put what I'm about to say in context, I'm 17, not a virgin and I lost it at 17 to a boy who I've known for 10 years of my life.

1. A lot of girls here are saying "OMG, LIKE, WHERE'S YOUR RESPECT FOR LIKE YOURSELF OR LIKE YOUR BODY?!!?" Losing your virginity doesnt mean losing self-respect you overzealous femenists. If your going to argue that, at least make it coherent. Yes, some girls lose their virginity because they feel threatened or vulnerable in their relationships but that doesn't mean that those with strenght of character wear iron chastity belts. I lost it on my own terms and I'm not the only one girlies.

2. This blog relates to the Tyra Banks Show so I'll keep this relevant. If teens are busy, it doesnt mean we won't have sex. Trust me, we'll find time. Also, I think Tyra should be criticized for the results of her study. Yes, many teens are having sex, and yes, people should know that this is a reality but presenting inaccurate results based on an unreliable sample to reinforce this isn't right. Even if her results are close enough to the truth, ther AREN'T the truth. Really, 1 in 5 teens want to have a baby now? Thats 20% of us. It does sound scary but reasonable? I don't think so. The point here is to inform, not scare.

and 3. What kind of girl would go on international tv and say that she's already slept with 50 guys by the age of 15? A desperate one, thats who. Anyone who would reveal such personal information so publicly is obviously falling short somewhere.

[alyssa]

regardless if Tyras statistics are wrong it is still a problem. people will still know teens are having sex and getting mad at her will not change a thing.and i bet that all the girls that took her survey were being honest. and how many in the national were being honest do you think.

[Xilo]

I agree with Asia.
EVERYTHING SHE SAID IS THE TRUTH!

[emilie]

it's not about wether or not she should have a talk show, it's about using bias statistics to sqwee the apperance of teenagers on national television!

[You gotta make sense gURL.com!]

Urg..... Okay this so called "sex ed blog" Is currently treating tyra banks like crap gurl has there dumb blog so why cant tyra have her dumb talkshow?

[Natalia]

I think that in the tyra show and tyras' studies it really makes people have a bad impression of teens. (but then again if it didnt, not much people would watch the truth)

[Natalia]

I think that in the tyra show and tyras' studies it really makes people have a bad impression of teens. (but then again if it didnt, not much people would watch the truth)

[Michelle Tanner]

http://www.reverbnation.com/c./l14/649252/15281/Label/286974/Fan/MissionsAgent_24664/link

Bored? Give Comic Book Heroes a listen!

[mary]

im 14 and i lost my virginity when i was 13 it was all to different guys and i did it 5 times i feel ashamed becaus ei was just doiing it so my friends would like mii the best advice i can give to the 14 year old thats reading this is go ahead have sex but u protection and make sure its with the right one

[Little gURL]

Opinions are opinions people. I have three words for ya. Get. Over. It.
Some people can have sex if they think it is right. I am 12, and I will stay a virgin until i am am married. I don't care if I never have sex. I'll adopt kids then. God knows too many people give up kids because of some reason or another.

Words from the heart: If you want kids as a teen, go ahead. However, if you get preggo fufilling your sex desires, I think it is your responsibility, not some old convent lady with low money. You "made" it, you take care of it.

[peter]

I'm a 21 year old male, I lost it at 18 and I was in love with her. I broke up with her because of the amount of sexual partners she had, it bothered me. So before any of you underage girls have sex, think about what I just said. The same will happen to you. I don't think you want a gorgeous perfect guy to break up with you because of you being a slut in your earlier years. And don't try to cover it up by saying it was a mistake. A slut is a slut.

[heather]

I am fourteen years young and sadly not a virgin. Got pregnant and lost my baby. (no I did not want to get pregant, yes I did use a condom) for all the girls out there that are reading these comments, rather your a virgin or not, read ALL of them. Some of these have really good advise (NOT THE ONES THAT TALK ABOUT TYRA and how they think shes a bith!!). I lost my virginity on July 14 '08. I thought I loved him so much. Everything was perfect. But he only wanted one thing. And he got it. All those lies he told me made me give up the one thing I could have saved for someone who was truly special. Look, Im not gonna tell you NOT to do it like most girls and their comments and Im not gonna tell you to DO IT (honestly its not as great as you think it will be) especially your first time. I know for the virgins out there that your prolly tired of people telling you your not ready and you dont know what the hell your thinking... believe it or not for most of you...their prolly right. For the others that are proud you lost it when you did...congrats... that means you have one less regret than the rest of us girls that think differently. Then again I dont really regret it... I learned alot... I dont put my trust in the guys I choose to date easily anymore and I make sure that they know Im waiting till marriage before *I* am doing it again.
Its your choice... No one elses!!!

[Helena]

Tyras satistics seem about right to me
:/

[danie]

I'm a virgin but what i think is sex is sex. You either do it or you don't. That's your choice, but be prepared if you mess up. Tyra is just concerned, don't be mad at her. You have the right to choose who you have sex with and when you have sex. But some of these girls are gross. Having sex at 12 is like gross. Ok I know people who lost it at like 9. Dude your still a kid from the day your born until your 16. YOUR STILL A KID remember that. If your going to have sex at least be smart about it.

[danie]

I'm a virgin but what i think is sex is sex. You either do it or you don't. That's your choice, but be prepared if you mess up. Tyra is just concerned, don't be mad at her. You have the right to choose who you have sex with and when you have sex. But some of these girls are gross. Having sex at 12 is like gross. Ok I know people who lost it at like 9. Dude your still a kid from the day your born until your 16. YOUR STILL A KID remember that. If your going to have sex at least be smart about it.

[no virgin]

i am 13 and im not a virgin i had sex like 3 times and no regrets!!!! so what now??? its not bad like seriously whats so wrong about it, huh??? it was the same guy.... soo anyone who's reading this and wants to know if they can have sex and they are as young as me, go and do it nothing will happen its perfectly fine just stay protected( condemns) k peace out luv you tyra

[emily]

i'm almost 16 years old. i lost my virginity when i was 14. i regret it, but don't hate Tyra. even though she is stating that girls are gross, some of them are a bit extreme. call me a hypocrite, but girls that are 12 are tooo young to have sex. i know what i did was wrong and i regret it. Tyra knows what she's talking about. if you don't agree, that's fine. everyone is entitled to their own personal opinion. i love watching the tyra show and learning about different things. young girls having sex is happening. this is real life. don't act like these events aren't occurring. again, if i sound like a hypocrite, that's fine. think what you want. Tyra is a very inspirational woman. my opinion will not change.

[Samantha]

I would like to be upset and say that's not true but even though I'm a 17 year old virgin most of the girls I know actually are associated with these statitics. Most of them had sex at 13, two got pregnant, 1 does it in the school, 4 in their parents bed etc... I mean it's not a lie I've known these girls for years since elementary. And I'll know if their lying or not. I hate to say it but it's no damn hoax some girls now are more sexually active and the sooner you realize it the better. And I don't get mad at the damn statistics, BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S NOT ME!!! GET OVER IT!!!

[Camillla]

Okay I think Tyra is trying to make all of us teenage girls look like naive horny sluts and I know for a fact thta we're not like that.
I know that I don't want to be a mum because I don't want kids and I'll wait to lose my virginity until i'm married or if not when it's actually LEGAL and if I love the person enough.
Another thing is that I think it's disgusting that people as young as 12 are having sex. Yes I'm sick of people telling me i'm too young to be a mum i'm too young to know what love is and whatnot but it all depends on how mature you are in the end but i'm only 12 and i really don't see what the rush is to have sex and everything it's not even legal and i know you'll think i'm a goody-two-shoes or whatever but i'm not. i'm mature and responsible and i respect myself and my body and i know all the side affects like stds and pregnancy and i want to wait until i'm old enough to deal with these issues.
plus i'd never take drugs and yeah i've hit people before but so what loads of adults have done it i think it's pathetic how adults are allowed to do certain things and if us teenagers do it WE'RE in the wrong.
i think that yes you should wait until you're ready and you love the person but i also think that this article is full of crap.

[Andrea]

ahaha...I love sex (:

[mevictoria]

tyra banks is probably one of the best bullshitters we might know, i doubt that on average 15 year olds lose their virginity, she constantly looks for shock value thats what keeps her show running and its pretty ridiculous

[Asia]

I honestly want to know when Tyra Banks lost her virginity and why it's so absurd to here teenagers as young as 13 and even younger have had sex. I'm not trying to bad mouth her but she makes herself seem as if she knows everything. Well, you don't. Everyone plus Tyra has addressed this issue. Generations before us were 14, getting married, and having kids. Now, in the present it's a problem. Someone explain the difference. I know we live in an advanced age, but this part is pretty much the same. These girls have a choice. If they choose to have sex or not, then that's their business. We're all going to have a sex life someday. We're going to have kids and homes and jobs. Just like it's Tyra has business of her own, so do teenagers and other grown women. I'm sick of hearing these types of stories about too young to be a mom, too young to know what love is, too young to be a dad, too young to know about anything. What's too young? There are still adults who act our age and there are people are age who act like adults. I'm 16 years old. I know what I'm doing when I have sex. I know what the risks are when I dont use a condom. I read every little fact about being pregnant and having an std. The girls who were on the show know as well. Teenagers don't need anybody to tell them because they know. Why do adults look down on us when they've done it too.

And stop saying "it'll ruin your life." It makes a difference. It doesn't ruin it. Everything everyone does is a learning experience and everything happens for a reason. Let it be.

Parents and others can be mad, but we're going to do it anyway. It can be a bad choice, but we've made it. We want to see why it's bad or why it's good. We experiment just like everyone else does. Tyra isn't perfect. No one is. Parents, or whoever will not always be here to tell us everything. We have to find out for ourselves. So... let us.

..Asia

[Christina]

Okay, Tyra is amazing. && teen girls these days are growing up a little to fast. Having sex when your like 12, is just stright up gross, i dont care if you think your ready or not, 12 years old is still a baby your like in 7th grade. Im not saying that everygirl on the face of this planet is going to keep it till marriage, but we should be WAITING til where matture enough to handle what may happen, like what will happen if i get a STD?, get pregnut or even what will happen to me emotionally. We teen girls might think where matture and know everything, but truthfully where still growing up, and learning. Save it for someone you love and will always remember and even if you guys where to break up, you wont regret it becasue you knew it was out of LOVE. Sometimes love fools u though, we think we see and feel it but itis not it. If hes not worried about having sex, then hes a keeper. He should love you for you and want you for you.

[Ashley]

You have to think about it its based on the number of polls and that is how they configure their data into the percentage on their survey, you will always hear a different percentage on statistics

[lexi love <333]

i think it is stupid! i am 14 n i am planing on staying pure to marriage n i respect my body. peoplle i know arent doing that n i think her poll is totally off! n its not always the girls faults! i mean geeez!

[B]

Honestly, even though the stats may not be accurate, they still represent what most girls are doing. and i know someone is going to yell 'I DONT HAVE SEXX SHES A FAT LIARRRRRRR WAAAHHHHH!", but that's you. i think it's wonderful that many girls don't engage in those kinds of activities, but in reality, most do. it's the truth. and it's a lot more prevalent in different cultural societies as well. I'm black, o don't go calling me a racist either.

[anaboo]

First of all Im 19 years old. Lost it when I was 18 and Tyra you are WRONG!!!! bitch what do YOU know?? I can name alot of girls who havent even messed around with a man. Yahh i've done drugs i drinkkk. Thats MY choice though and I dont think all of us girls are sluts, dumb, or stupid like you're bitchass said. so first do some REAL research bfore opening your loudass mothafuckin mouth.

Secondd..I do NOT agree with all that bull in your damn annoying-ass-oprah winfrey- knockoff-show :)

Third: I'VE NEVER BEEN IN A FIGHT. I DONT WANT TO BE A MOM. NEVER HAD SEX IN SCHOOL. AND I HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX WHENEVER I FEEL LIKE IT AND WHEN I DONT I USE A CONDOM.

Fourth and last thing: STOPPP embarrasing lost, disoriented sluts in your show cause none of us (or at least most of us) do not buy it. I have dignity, pride and most important: A BRAIN. And as far as Im concerned, you did that poll online. thats like, what..not even the 20% of teenage girls in this country. And Im not saying that shes totally wrong, there ARE some crazy sluts out there who are only 13 and have had their periods for like 2 months and think they are capable of having a baby (haha) but if thats you and you do you. :)
if not, good for you. But I KNOW the majority of teenage girls in this country ARE NOT engaged with whats supposed to be the "facts". Tyra Banks, you are one sick bitch. you make me sick. fatasss.

[mz.lebruce]

Well I was 12 when I lost mines to a boy and we had been together since we were 8 and im 14 now and we are still together (6 years strong) lmao but ive never gotten pregnant i made sure i had no diseases and weve done it like about 50 times now lol but just make sure hes your right one and that you know what you doing.:)

[danielle]

I live in a small town and most girls are 13 or 14 when they like lose it..i was 13.....and yes i regret it...one of my friends has already lost a baby an shes 13