Sexualization and Premarital Sexual Behavior

This article presents a summary of a larger study which investigated the sexual socialization (sexualization) process and its impact on subsequent premarital sexual behavior. The study was motivated by a number of social issues including the influence of sex education and exposure to erotic materials. Secondary analysis of national data consisting of face-to-face interviews with 1177 college students revealed a complex social-psychological network of variables which influences premarital sexual bahavior. The relative impact of these variables is examined and the authors impressions of how the process works is presented. The implications of these findings for sex educators and policy makers is considered. (authors)