David William Haas and Dr. Renata Forste, Sociology

Adolescent sexual activity is an important social issue because it is associated with other high-risk behaviors such as alcohol and substance abuse. Past studies have generally examined factors related to the initiation of sexual activity among youth, rather than modeling the factors predictive of sexual abstinence. Early sexual activity places youth at risk of premarital pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. In addition, first intercourse is influential in redefining a youth’s identity and attitudes, and is an important factor in the transition from adolescence to adulthood (Upchurch, Levy-Storms, Sucoff, & Aneheshensel, 1998). The present study of teen sexual behavior models the factors predictive of delaying sexual activity among teenage males.

Past studies show that there are numerous variables that affect age at first intercourse: the three categories examined in this study are family background, individual characteristics, and attitudes. Recent studies indicate that race and ethnicity are predictive of age at first intercourse (Moore, 1995). Furthermore, socioeconomic status of the youth’s family and whether or not adolescents have grown up in a one or two parent biological home have both been found significant (Upchurch et. al., 1998). Individual characteristics of the youth such as age and dating practices are also important predictors of sexual activity. Between 1990 and 1995 the median age of first intercourse was 16.4 for whites, 15.9 for Hispanics, and 13.6 for blacks (Warren, Santelli, Everett, Kann, Collins, Cassell, Morris, & Kolbe, 1998). Moreover, attitudes on religion are also influential when examining sexual activity; youth who regularly attend religious services are less likely to engage in premarital intercourse (Thornton & Camburn, 1989).

The data for the present study came from the 1988 and 1991/1992 waves of the National Survey of Adolescent Males (NSAM). The 1988 NSAM provide data on patterns of sexual activity among adolescent males aged 15-19 in the U. S. The 1988 sample included 1,880 young men, while the follow-up survey contacted 1,689. These data allow one to model the effect of background and attitudinal measures reported in 1988 on the likelihood of not initiating sexual activity by the 1991/1992 follow up survey. The sample analyzed included those 552 not sexually active by 1988.

Logistic regression statistical techniques were used to estimate the effect of various factors on the likelihood of initiating sexual activity. The dependent variable was dichotomous and was coded 0 if the respondent was sexually active by 1991/1992 and coded 1 if the respondent was not. Moreover, the independent variables for this study included family background, individual characteristics, and attitudes (revert to figure 1).

Under background characteristics, whites were 1.7 times more likely to abstain from sexual activity than blacks. Teens living with both biological parents at age 14 were two times more likely to have not engaged in sexual activity, relative to teens not living with both parents. Analysis of individual characteristics found that young men reporting “good” grades were about twice as likely to abstain from sex, as opposed to teens reporting “low” grades. Furthermore, those teens that had never gone steady were 2.5 times more likely to have abstained from sex than those that have gone steady. Under youth attitudes, those that believed religion was very important were two times more likely to abstain from sex compared to those that felt religion was unimportant.

Assuming sexual abstinence is good, this study has shown that the institution of the family, school, and religion played a positive role in these youth’s lives. Recognition of the varied sexual expectations of teenagers and tailoring prevention programs based upon these expectations is one potential avenue for delaying the transition to sexual activity and reducing high-risk behaviors among adolescents. Predicting sexual abstinence is of importance not only to social researchers, but policy makers, public health officials, and educators.

This present study has been expanded and submitted to Family Planning Perspectives for publication. The revised submission examines how adolescents differ in their expectations of initiating sexual intercourse. By recognizing those differences, our understanding of teen sexual behavior is broadened beyond the typical dichotomy of has had sex or has not had sex.

References

• Moore, K. A. 1995. “Adolescent Sex, Contraception, and Childbearing: A Review of Recent Evidence.” Child Trends. Washington D.C.
• Thornton, Arland D., and D. Camburn. 1989. “Religious Participation and Adolescent Sexual Behavior.” Journal of Marriage and the Family 51: 641-653.
• Upchurch, Dawn M., Lene Levy-Storms, Clea A. Sucoff, and Carol S. Aneshensel. 1998. “Gender and Ethnic Differences in the Timing of First Sexual Intercourse.” Family Planning Perspectives 30 (3): 121-127.
• Warren, Charles W., John S. Santelli, Sherry A. Everett, Laura Kann, Janet L. Collins, Carol Cassell, Leo Morris, and Lloyd J. Kolbe. 1998. “Sexual Behavior Among U.S. High- School Students, 1990-1995.” Family Planning Perspectives 30 (4): 170-172, 200.