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Promising to wait: virginity pledges and adolescent sexual behavior
Melina M Bersamin1, Samantha Walker, Elizabeth D Waiters
1Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Berkeley, California 94704, USA. mbersamin@prev.org
Summary
Adolescents who made a private virginity pledge were less likely to engage in sexual activity. Formal pledges did not show the same effect, suggesting personal commitment is key for delaying sex.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Sexual Behavior Research
- Public Health Interventions
Background:
- Virginity pledges are a common strategy to delay adolescent sexual activity.
- Previous research has yielded mixed results on the effectiveness of these pledges.
- Understanding the nuances between formal and informal commitments is crucial for public health messaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between formal and non-formal virginity pledges and the initiation of sexual behaviors among adolescents.
- To determine if pledge type influences engagement in genital play, oral sex, and vaginal intercourse.
Main Methods:
- Logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the relationship between pledging behavior and sexual initiation.
- Data were collected from 870 adolescents aged 12-16 in California.
- Analyses controlled for various demographic, attitudinal, and social factors.
Main Results:
- Making a private virginity pledge was associated with a reduced likelihood of engaging in vaginal intercourse and oral sex.
- This association remained significant after controlling for socio-demographic variables.
- Formal virginity pledges did not demonstrate a significant effect on adolescent sexual behavior.
Conclusions:
- Formal virginity pledges may be less effective in preventing adolescent sexual behavior than previously thought.
- Personal commitments to delay sexual activity appear more impactful.
- Sexual health programs should emphasize personal commitment and supportive social norms for delaying sex.