Apr. 2, 2002 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study shows adolescent girls with low self-esteem and adolescent boys with high self-esteem are more likely to initiate sexual intercourse.
Middle school students ages 12 to 16 were followed over a two-year period.
Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine found girls who scored low on a self-esteem test were three times more likely to initiate intercourse. However, boys who scored high on the test were twice as likely to initiate sex.
It seems girls with low self-esteem may initiate sex to feel better about themselves, to provide themselves with intimacy, a sense of maturity, or to rebel against conventional norms concerning early sexual activities.
In contrast, the study shows early sexual initiation for boys may be seen as a badge of honor that is celebrated within the peer culture. Thus, those boys with higher self-esteem may be more self-confident and able to find willing partners than boys with low self-esteem who remain virgins.
Early initiation of intercourse is often associated with negative outcomes for adolescents. A number of programs aim to delay the age of first intercourse. However, researchers of this study conclude programs such as these may be more effective if issues around self-esteem are addressed, as well.
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The first time I ever had sex was when I was 16 and because I thought I was destined to be a virgin for the rest of my life...I could have told the researchers this and saved them a lot of time.
Middle school students ages 12 to 16 were followed over a two-year period.
Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine found girls who scored low on a self-esteem test were three times more likely to initiate intercourse. However, boys who scored high on the test were twice as likely to initiate sex.
It seems girls with low self-esteem may initiate sex to feel better about themselves, to provide themselves with intimacy, a sense of maturity, or to rebel against conventional norms concerning early sexual activities.
In contrast, the study shows early sexual initiation for boys may be seen as a badge of honor that is celebrated within the peer culture. Thus, those boys with higher self-esteem may be more self-confident and able to find willing partners than boys with low self-esteem who remain virgins.
Early initiation of intercourse is often associated with negative outcomes for adolescents. A number of programs aim to delay the age of first intercourse. However, researchers of this study conclude programs such as these may be more effective if issues around self-esteem are addressed, as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
The first time I ever had sex was when I was 16 and because I thought I was destined to be a virgin for the rest of my life...I could have told the researchers this and saved them a lot of time.
