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. 2017 Mar:63:292-307.
doi: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2016.09.021. Epub 2016 Sep 30.

Age at migration, family instability, and timing of sexual onset

Rachel E Goldberg  1 , Marta Tienda  2 , Alícia Adserà  3
Affiliations

Age at migration, family instability, and timing of sexual onset

Rachel E Goldberg et al. Soc Sci Res. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

This study builds on and extends previous research on nativity variations in adolescent health and risk behavior by addressing three questions: (1) whether and how generational status and age at migration are associated with timing of sexual onset among U.S. adolescents; (2) whether and how family instability mediates associations between nativity and sexual debut; and (3) whether and how these associations vary by gender. We find that first- and second-generation immigrant youth initiate sexual activity later than native youth. Foreign-born youth who migrate after the start of adolescence exhibit the latest sexual onset; boys' sexual behavior is particularly sensitive to age at migration. Parental union stability is protective for first- and second-generation youth, especially boys; however, instability in co-residence with parents accelerates sexual debut for foreign-born girls, and dilutes protections from parental marital stability. Use of a non-English language at home delays sexual onset for immigrant girls, but not boys.

Keywords: Adolescent; Family instability; Immigrant; Sexual behavior.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Figure 1a. Hazard estimates of first sex over exposure period, young women, by immigrant generation and age at migration Source: 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1997–2010. Notes: The smoothed hazards are adjusted near the boundaries, and the plotted range of the smoothed hazard function is restricted to within one bandwidth of each endpoint. To fully capture the boundaries of our exposure period, we included in the hazard estimates an exposure period ranging from ages 8–20. Figure 1b. Hazard estimates of first sex over exposure period, young men, by immigrant generation and age at migration Source: 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1997–2010. Notes: The smoothed hazards are adjusted near the boundaries, and the plotted range of the smoothed hazard function is restricted to within one bandwidth of each endpoint. To fully capture the boundaries of our exposure period, we included in the hazard estimates an exposure period ranging from ages 8–20.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Figure 1a. Hazard estimates of first sex over exposure period, young women, by immigrant generation and age at migration Source: 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1997–2010. Notes: The smoothed hazards are adjusted near the boundaries, and the plotted range of the smoothed hazard function is restricted to within one bandwidth of each endpoint. To fully capture the boundaries of our exposure period, we included in the hazard estimates an exposure period ranging from ages 8–20. Figure 1b. Hazard estimates of first sex over exposure period, young men, by immigrant generation and age at migration Source: 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1997–2010. Notes: The smoothed hazards are adjusted near the boundaries, and the plotted range of the smoothed hazard function is restricted to within one bandwidth of each endpoint. To fully capture the boundaries of our exposure period, we included in the hazard estimates an exposure period ranging from ages 8–20.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Changes in co-residence with biological fathers and mothers between birth and end of exposure period, by immigrant generation and age at migration
Source: 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1997–2003 Notes: Data are weighted to adjust for sample design. Exposure period ends in the year respondents initiate sexual activity, drop out of the study, or turn 19, whichever comes first. 95% confidence intervals are displayed.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Changes in mother’s marital status between birth and end of exposure period, by immigrant generation and age at migration
Source: 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1997–2003 Notes: Data are weighted to adjust for sample design. Exposure period ends in the year respondents initiate sexual activity, drop out of the study, or turn 19, whichever comes first. 95% confidence intervals are displayed.
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