Sources of Sex Information and Premarital Sexual Behavior

Graham B. Spanier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

Parents and educators have been concerned with the impact of sex education courses and sources of sex information on premarital sexual behavior. This study investigates different sources of sex information, including parents, peers, and others, and how they influence premarital sexual behavior among American college students. This exploratory research is based on the secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from a national probability sample of 1, 177 college students interviewed about their sexual behavior and sexual socialization experiences. Cross-tabulations between several sources of sex information and a composite index of incidence and prevalence of premarital socio-sexual involvement are presented. Among females, sexual behavior was influenced in a negative direction by their mothers and in a positive direction by male friends and independent reading. Among males, sexual behavior was influenced in a negative direction by clergymen and in a positive direction by male and female friends and independent reading. Due to the availability of cross-sectional data only, the need for cautious interpretation is emphasized.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)73-88
Number of pages16
JournalThe Journal of Sex Research
Volume13
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 1977

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Gender Studies
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • General Psychology
  • History and Philosophy of Science

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