Boys want relationships more than just sex with the girls they date .

Reported in the New York Times, a paper published in Journal of Adolescence says the “overall findings are contrary to cultural beliefs that boys are interested primarily in sex and not relationships.”

“Let’s give boys more credit,’’ said study author Andrew Smiler, an assistant professor of psychology at the university. “Although some of them are just looking for sex, most boys are looking for a relationship. The kids we know mostly aren’t like this horrible stereotype. They are generally interested in dating and getting to know their partners.’’

As a parent of a teenage boy, I appreciate the advice in the article:

Dr. Smiler said parents should talk to boys and girls and try to teach them about both romantic and platonic relationships, how to develop and maintain them, how to deal with ups and downs and how to forgive and regain trust.