Adolescent Sexual Activity and Mildly Deviant Behavior: Sibling and Friendship Effects
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Date
1990-09-01Author
JOSEPH LEE RODGERS
DAVID C. ROWE
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Abstract
This article addresses the relationship between two related behavioral domains in adolescents: sexual activity and mildly deviant behavior (defined as behaviors of which parents would disapprove, but which are not illegal). Previous work has demonstrated overlap between these behavioral domains. We use a unique data set - the data from the Carolina Population Center's Adolescent Sexuality (ADSEX) Project which contain linkable responses of siblings, best friends, and other friends - to quantify the degree of overlap and separation between sexuality and mild deviance. We cast our work in a conceptual context identifying the prominent members of a respondent's environment, including siblings, same-sex friends (best friends and other friends) and opposite-sex friends (best and other friends). Results support previous research showing overlap between sexuality and mild deviance; however, the two domains are also distinguishable. Furthermore, theoretical predictions generated by the conceptual framework - by considering the relationship of adolescents to others in their environment - are supported by the data.
Citation
RODGERS, J. L., & ROWE, D. C. (1990). Adolescent Sexual Activity and Mildly Deviant Behavior: Sibling and Friendship Effects. Journal of Family Issues, 11(3), 274-293. doi: 10.1177/019251390011003003