Final answer:
Research indicates that many parents underestimate their adolescent's sexual activity. Surveys show that U.S. parents mostly support abstinence plus sexual safety education. Parents and adults have significant influence on teenagers' sexual behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about research findings concerning the attitude of many parents towards their adolescent's sexual activity. Based on research relations, many parents underestimate their adolescent's sexual activity. This is a common issue when it comes to the perception of teenagers' behaviors from a sociological perspective.
In the broader context of sexuality and education, national surveys indicate that most U.S. parents support Abstinence plus sexual safety programs in schools rather than Abstinence only. There's also a concern about young people feeling underprepared for puberty and the changes that come with it. It's recognized that teenagers often report parents or other caring adults as the largest influence on their behavior, including sexual behavior, which challenges the myth that teens only listen to their peers.
Furthermore, the majority of U.S. adults agree that education on safer sexual practices is more effective than abstinence-only education in reducing unintended pregnancies and the spread of STIs. These attitudes can greatly influence the type and effectiveness of sexual education provided to adolescents.