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Gender and Ethnic Differences in the Timing of First Sexual Intercourse
- Source :
- Family Planning Perspectives. 30:121
- Publication Year :
- 1998
- Publisher :
- JSTOR, 1998.
-
Abstract
- This study estimated the effects of gender and ethnic differences on the risk of first intercourse (FI) among a population-based sample of Los Angeles County youths aged 12-17 years. Longitudinal surveys were conducted during 1992-94 and 1994-95. The sample was of the multistage stratified probability type. The sample included 877 interviewed adolescents in the 1st round and 675 in the 2nd. Almost 50% of respondents were Hispanic. 58% lived with both parents. The median age of intercourse was 16.9 years; 16.6 years for males and 17.2 years for females. Blacks reported the youngest age of FI at 15.8 years. Asian adolescents had the oldest age of FI at 17.6 years. The same pattern occurred for median age at FI. Age at FI did not vary as much by ethnicity for females. White and Black females had younger ages of FI than Asian females. Black males had significantly higher rates of FI than White females. Asian males were less likely than White females to be sexually experienced. Hispanic and Asian females had significantly lower rates of sexual activity than White females. Family structure was significantly associated with risk of sexual activity. With controls for differences in family background rates of FI differed significantly by ethnicity among males but not females. Teenagers living with a single parent or step family had significantly higher rates of transition to first sex than those living with both parents. Family structure may measure the effects of family disruption rather than parenting behaviors. Findings demonstrate that ethnicity and gender are key factors that predict adolescents risk of becoming sexually active.
Details
- ISSN :
- 00147354
- Volume :
- 30
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Family Planning Perspectives
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........51636494b487a20bd7e71af2c2d3e3b9