Journal of Youth and Adolescence

, Volume 17, Issue 6, pp 521–530 | Cite as

Educational correlates of adolescents' sexual attitudes and behavior

  • Brent C. Miller
  • Karen R. Sneesby
Article
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Parents' educational attainment is known to be related to their children's educational aspirations and plans, and these variables have been presumed to be inversely related to early adolescent sexual activity. Relationships between these educational variables and adolescents' sexual attitudes and behavior were analyzed in a sample of 810 high school students from two Western states. Parents' educational background was positively related to adolescents' educational plans and performance, and these educational variables were inversely related to adolescents' premarital sexual attitudes and intercourse experience. It seems most plausible to conclude that parents' educational backgrounds affect children's educational interests and grades, which, in turn, affect adolescent sexuality. However, the observed associations also could be interpreted to suggest that early sexual behavior reduces adolescents' educational plans and lowers their school grades.

Keywords

High School Sexual Behavior Health Psychology Sexual Activity Educational Attainment 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Alwin, D. F. (1986). Schools, adolescent sexuality, and achievement. In Thornton, A. (ed.),Family and Institutional Factors in Adolescent Sexuality. Unpublished manuscript. Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI.Google Scholar
  2. Billy, J. O. G. (1987). Effects of sexual activity on adolescent social and psychological development. Unpublished manuscript, Battelle Human Affairs Research Center, Seattle, WA.Google Scholar
  3. Card, J. J., and Wise, L. L. (1978). Teenage mothers and teenage fathers: The impact of early childbearing on the parents' personal and professional lives.Family Plan. Perspect. 10: 199–205.Google Scholar
  4. Coleman, J. S. (1965).Adolescents and the Schools. Basic Books, New York.Google Scholar
  5. Davies, M., and Kandel, D. B., (1981). Parental and peer influences on adolescents educational plans: Some further evidence.Am. J. Sociol. 87: 363–387.Google Scholar
  6. Hayes, C. D. (ed.) (1987).Risking the Future: Adolescent Sexuality, Pregnancy, and Childbearing. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
  7. Hofferth, S. L. (1987). Factors affecting initiation of sexual intercourse. In Hofferth, S. L., and Hayes, C. D. (eds.),Risking the Future: Adolescent Sexuality, Pregnancy, and Childbearing (Vol. II). National Academy Press, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
  8. Jessor, S. L., and Jessor, R. (1975). Transition from virginity to nonvirginity among youth: A social psychological study over time.Develop. Psychol. 11: 473–484.Google Scholar
  9. Jorgensen, S. R., and Alexander, S. J. (1983). Research on adolescent pregnancy risk: Implications for sex education programs.Theory into Practice, 22: 125–133.Google Scholar
  10. Miller, B. C., and Bingham, C. R. (1988). Family configuration in relation to the sexual behavior of female adolescents.J. Marriage Family, 50: xxx-xxx.Google Scholar
  11. Miller, B. C., McCoy, J. K., Olson, T. D., and Wallace, C. M. (1986). Parental discipline and control attempts in relation to adolescent sexual attitudes and behavior.J. Marriage Family, 48: 503–512.Google Scholar
  12. Moore, K. A., Peterson, J. L., and Furstenberg, F. F., Jr. (1984). Starting early: The antecedents of early premarital intercourse. Paper presented at annual meetings of The Population Association of America.Google Scholar
  13. Mott, F. L., and Marsiglio, W. (1985). Early childbearing and the completion of high school.Family Plan. Perspect. 17: 234–237.Google Scholar
  14. Planned Parenthood Federation of America. (1986).American Teens Speak: Sex, Myths, T. V., and Birth Control. PPFA, New York.Google Scholar
  15. Sewell, W. H., Hauser, R. M., and Featherman, D. L. (Eds.). (1976).Schooling and Achievement in American Society. Academic Press, New York.Google Scholar
  16. Teachman, J. D. (1987). Family background, educational resources, and educational attainment.Am. Sociol. Rev. 52: 548–557.Google Scholar
  17. Zelnik, M., Kantner, J., and Ford, K. (1981).Sex and Pregnancy in Adolescence. Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, CA.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Plenum Publishing Corporation 1988

Authors and Affiliations

  • Brent C. Miller
    • 1
  • Karen R. Sneesby
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of Family and Human DevelopmentUtah State UniversityLogan
  2. 2.Evanston School DistrictEvanston

Personalised recommendations