If you’re parenting a child or teen today, it can feel like the rules of growing up have completely changed—because in many ways, they have.

The ages at which people first have sex, get married, and become parents look very different than they did even a generation ago. And yet, many parents are still working from outdated assumptions about what’s “normal,” what’s “too early,” or what their child is supposed to be ready for at a certain age.

The research tells a clearer—and more nuanced—story.

Understanding these shifting timelines isn’t about encouraging kids to grow up faster. It’s about helping parents align conversations with reality, reduce fear-based messaging, and replace silence with steady, values-based guidance.

Here’s what the data actually shows.

What Research Tells Us About the Age of First Intercourse in the U.S.

When researchers talk about “age at first intercourse,” they’re typically referring to first vaginal-penile sex—not first sexual experience overall. Tha...