Going most of the way: ‘Technical Virginity’ among American adolescents

Citation

Uecker, J.; E; Angotti, N.; Regnerus, M.; & D (2008). Going most of the way: 'Technical Virginity' among American adolescents. Social Science Research. vol. 37 (4) pp. 1200-1215

Abstract

Reports from academic and media sources assert that many young people substitute non-vaginal sexual activities for vaginal intercourse in order to maintain what could be called “technical virginity.” Explanations for technical virginity, however, are based on weak empirical evidence and considerable speculation. Using a sample of 15–19-year-olds from Cycle 6 of the National Survey of Family Growth, we examine technical virginity and its motivations. The results suggest that religious adolescents are less likely than less-religious ones to opt for non-vaginal sex over total abstinence. Abstinence pledgers who are virgins are neither more nor less likely than nonpledgers who are virgins to substitute non-vaginal sex for intercourse. Moreover, religion and morality are actually the weakest motivators of sexual substitution among adolescents who have not had vaginal sex. Preserving technical virginity is instead more common among virgins who are driven by a desire to avoid potential life-altering consequences, like pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.ssresearch.2007.09.006

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Social Science Research

Author(s)

Uecker, J.
E
Angotti, N.
Regnerus, M.
D

Year Published

2008

Volume Number

37

Issue Number

4

Pages

1200-1215

DOI

10.1016/j.ssresearch.2007.09.006

Reference ID

8872