Premarital sex: attitudes and behavior by dating stage

Abstract

Using data gathered from a sixty-three item dating and mate-selection questionnaire completed by two hundred and eighty student and nonstudent respondents, this study investigates the differences between what people believe is proper premarital sexual behavior, what they do and what they think others are doing at five stages of dating. It was found that persons are most restrictive in what they believe is proper conduct, more permissive in their reported behavior, and most permissive in their perception of what others are doing. During the early stages of dating, males and females differ widely in their outlook as to what is proper behavior and also in their reported behavior. Other studies which failed to take dating stage into consideration may have missed important gender differences in the early period of dating.

PIP: Using data gathered from a 63-item dating and mate-selection questionnaire completed by 280 student and nonstudent respondents, in Southern New England, US, this study investigates the differences between what people believe is proper premarital sexual behavior, and what they think others are doing at 5 stages of dating. It was inspired by the suggestions of several other studies and general observations: that young people in the 1980s are more conservative in their general outlook, and possibly also in regards to premarital sex behavior. Another purpose was to examine the influence of social factors such as age, gender, religion, mother's education, father's education, residence, and religiosity. The sample consisted of college students from a state college and college-age youths. Behaviors were placed in categories ranged from the least to the most intimate. There is an increase in permissiveness for both males and females at each successive stage, with females most likely to engage in sexual intimacy in the committed stages of a relationship. Differences between male and female attitudes disappear towards later stages. It was found that persons are most restrictive in what they believe is proper conduct, more permissive in their reported behavior, and most permissive in their perception of what others are doing: there is a pull from the reference group in favor of permissiveness. Analysis of the data indicates there is a much higher level of sexual activity than in the 1950s and 60s. 3 factors: gender, religiosity, and religious attendance were found to make statistically significant differences to the dependent variables. Other studies which failed to take dating stage into consideration may have missed important gender differences in the early period of dating.