1

MAINTAINING PURITY
An examination of American attitudes on premarital sex, in 2010

Abstract As a country founded on Judo-Christians values and Protestant work ethic the act of sex is traditionally seen as a religious bind to your spouse to procreate. This opinion is not commonly held today according to recently conducted research. Past research also showed Hispanics were least likely to report no religious affiliation. Their cultural dedication to practicing religion motivated us to analyze Hispanics specifically. The importance of religious values is again prevalent in American politics and serves as the base in many conservative candidates campaigns. In addition to the connection between politics and religion, the gender norms in American society have changed drastically in the 20th century. However, we believe there is still a difference in the genders in regard to socially defined norms of sexuality. We examined the effects of race, gender, political affiliation, religion, and opinions about extra marital sex in comparison to our samples overall feeling to premarital sex.

3 Matthew Harper Naomi Week Jack Mantyla Kasey Sweeney Premarital Sex by Demographic Introduction Premarital sex is becoming more and more ubiquitous. People are straying away from tradition and changing their social attitudes towards premarital sex. Past literature shows that the majority of people approve of premarital sex. We wanted to find distinguishing characteristics between people and see if those factors altered their attitude regarding premarital sex. In this paper, we will research whether ones race, gender, religion, political ideology, or attitude regarding extramarital sex will predict their approval or disapproval of premarital sex. Our primary interest is in the perceptions of Hispanic respondents so we will base our analysis on their responses compared to all other races. We are also taking into consideration gender. Taking into account gender norms, we hypothesize that men will be more approving of premarital sex over women. We also feel that specific religious affiliation will determine their approval or disapproval of premarital sex. We believe that a persons political standpoint will be a major factor in determining their view on premarital sex. We hypothesize that people who identify as Liberal will be more approving of premarital sex over people who identify as Conservative. Lastly, we are going to look at a persons attitude regarding extramarital sex and whether that will determine their stance on premarital sex. We are going to compare these dependent variables through statistical analysis using the General Social Survey. This survey is administered yearly and in person. It is used to obtain insight on social issues using a large sample of the United States

4 population of people 18 and older. Using this survey, we will be able to statistically analyze whether ones race, gender, religion, political ideology, or attitude regarding extramarital sex will predict their approval or disapproval of premarital sex. Literature Review Race and Gender Race and Gender Differences and the Role of Sexual Attitudes in Adolescent Sexual Behavior examines variation in sexual attitudes and behaviors by race and gender (Simon 2011:10). The analyses are based on Wave 1 of the National Longitudinal of Adolescent Health. The sample for this data was collected in two stages (Simon 2011:18). In the first stage, the data was collected using a stratified random sample of all high schools in the United States, which were stratified into clusters based on region, urban city, school size, school type (private, public, parochial), percent white, percent black, grade span, and curriculum (Simon 2011:14). In the second stage, an in-home sample of 27,000 adolescents was drawn consisting of a core sample from each community plus selected oversamples (Simon 2011:14). The in-home interviews consisted of different samples: core, saturated schools, disabled, blacks from welleducated families, Chinese, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and adolescents residing together. Approximately half (50.3%) of the sample are females (Simon 2011:14). The sample is predominantly White (68.9%) with 14.3% Black and 10.7% Latino (Simon 2011:19). The results of this study indicate that sexual behavior outcomes vary by race and gender. Latina females and white females have a higher relative risk of having relationship sex versus non-relationship sex in comparison to all male groups (Simon 2011:20). The relative risk for black females was not found to be significantly different

5 than the male comparison groups, showing that the gender findings also vary by race (Simon 2011:20). The only differences that remain are Latina females versus black males and black females. Latina females relative risk of experiencing relationship sex versus non-relationship sex is 82% higher than black males and 72% higher compared to black females (Simon 2011:26). Also, black male adolescents have a higher relative risk of engaging in non-relationship sexual intercourse compared to white and Latino adolescents (Simon 2011:6). Gender and Marriage Trends in Premarital sex in the United States, 1954-2003 argues that despite the increased amount of policy and programmatic efforts promoting sexual abstinence until marriage, it is still unclear as to whether establishing these norms for the general health of the population (Finer 2007:73). This study examines the proportion in various cohorts who had had premarital sex. The study used data from four cycles of National Survey of Family Growth, 1982-2002, and event history analysis techniques, including KaplanMeier life-table procedures and Cox proportional hazards regression model to study the incidences of premarital sex by gender and cohort (Finer 2007:75). The collected data indicate that by age 20, 77% of respondents had had sex, 75% had had premarital sex, and 12% had married; by age 44, 95% of respondents (94% of women, 96% of men, and 97% of those who had ever had sex) had had premarital sex (Finer 2007:73). These findings suggest the need for more extensive and more comprehensive education programs and policies about premarital sex and interventions for those who are deemed at risk. These newer programs should provide the skills and information people need to protect them from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, once

6 they become sexually active, regardless of marital status. Both men and women had similar rates of premarital sex, which can be generalized to say that premarital sex is prominent for men and women, marital status at a nearly 100% (Finer 2007:76). It could also be hypothesized that premarital sex will occur at a high frequency for all races too. Religion and Political Opinion Secularization and the Influence of Religion on Beliefs about Premarital Sex suggests there exists a direct correlation between religious belief and feelings toward all sexual activity, including sentiments regarding premarital sex (Petersen and Donnenwerth 1997:1071). It provides a substantial amount of information about Christian/Protestant groups and the decline of such strict beliefs toward premarital sex as secularization occurs (Petersen and Donnenwerth 1997:1078). Peterson and Donnenwerth argue that more conservative and traditional religious services lead into the maintenance of such traditional beliefs about premarital sex (1997:1074). They also suggest these values will not be able to be maintained as the social norm as groups break away into more liberal religious practices (Petersen and Donnenwerth 1997:1084). Gender A meta-analytic review of research on gender differences in sexuality, 1993-2007 examines numerous publications relating to differences between males and females regarding sentiments toward a plethora of sexual behaviors, including premarital sex (Petersen and Hyde 2010:21). The compiled data indicates that men are more permissive of premarital sex than females, and they are generally more permissive of other sexual behaviors as well; however, it should be noted that the extent of these differences is contingent on particular sexual behaviors (Petersen and Hyde 2010:32). Petersen and

7 Hyde conclude that while numerous theoretical frameworks can help explain deviation in attitudes toward sexual behaviors by gender, there is no single theory or concept that can satisfactorily account for all of these differences (2010:35). Regardless, the meta-analysis indicates that gender does have an effect on sentiments regarding sexual behavior, regardless of which particular theory regarding gender disparity is being emphasized. Data, Measures and Methods. Data Our analysis utilized the General Social Survey from 2010, also known as the GSS, which is a survey done on a national level probability sample in the United States which covers a gamut of topics. The GSS has tracked American opinion for four decades and is a cross sectional survey done annually. The data from the GSS was distributed into SPSS, a statistical software program for social sciences, in which the values in their data could be reassigned to better serve our research. The dependent variable in our analysis is premarital sex. Opinions about premarital sex were recorded as ordinal level variables that captured the degree to which respondents were pervasive to the idea of pre-marital sex. The topic of pre-marital sex is being compared to the independent variables of the respondents including, race, gender, religion, political opinion, and opinion toward extramarital sex. Extramarital sex was our only independent variable that was an ordinal level of measurement while the other four independent variables were nominal level variables. We included, race, gender, political affiliation, religion and feelings about extra marital sex. The independent variables we chose are commonly believed to have well defined opinions about social issues according to past research. For this reason we decided to

8 split our variables into specific categories those of which, we hypothesized would have negative feelings about premarital sex or supportive feelings about premarital sex. Measures Premarital sex was an ordinal level measurement with high scores being more accepting and low scores being less accepting of premarital sex. We used all the responses to see if there was an interesting or unexpected pattern in the data to better support or reject our hypothesis. Instead of creating a dummy variable, we took the mean of the responses. The mean of the sample, in accordance with the variable premarital sex, gave us a number to compare with other sub categories of other variables in our sample. For our independent variables we created a series of dummy variables to see which specific categories had significant differences. Race was made into one dummy variable, which compared Hispanics (1) to all other races (0). We also made a dummy variable for gender separating males and females. Male respondents were given a value of (1) and females were coded as (0). Religion was recoded into three dummy variables, which included multiple categories. The first dummy variable was for respondents who described themselves as Christian; values (1) (2) (10) and (11) from the original data become the value (1) in the new variable Christian and all other values as (0). Next we made a dummy variable for the group Jewish only including the original value of (3) changed to the value (1) and all other values as (0). Our last dummy variable within religion was Non Religious. We grouped the original values of (0) and (4) into the new value (1) and all other values as (0). We thought there would be a significant difference between religious groups based

9 on differences seen in other studies, which separated religious groups when comparing opinions on social issues. Political views were separated into two categories, any response that included the word liberal, and any response that included conservative. Participants who responded as moderate were eliminated from the comparison. In the new variable liberal (1) is any liberal choice and (0) is all other. Adversely, in the new variable titled conservative, (1) is all conservative choice and (0) is all other. The variable for extra marital sex was recoded into one dummy variable. The value (1) was given to respondents who felt that extramarital sex was wrong or sometimes wrong. The value (0) was given to respondents who answered that extramarital sex was not wrong. By creating dummy variables for, race, gender, religion, political affiliation and opinion toward extramarital sex we were able to make claims about specific groups in our sample. Reassigning the values created a completely new variable in which we had the information to make statistical claims between the newly formed categories within each variable in SPSS. After creating new variables, we ran frequencies of the newly coded, and separated variables. Methods We conducted descriptive statistics in SPSS to show our sample. This information allowed us to see what our sample looked like in regard to our coded variables based on minimum and maximum values, total number of respondents, means and percentages, and standard deviation.

10 After seeing the characteristics of our sample we then used our dummy variables to analyze the data with ANOVA tests to show significance. The values in table 2 marked with an asterisk have been tested using our dependent variable, premarital sex in an ANOVA. The ANOVA told us if the association between our independent variable was significantly associated or showed no significant relationship. The significance of our findings was then applied to our multivariate regression table. The multivariate regression would account for the direction or pattern of each variable in multiple steps. For example, it told us if gender when controlling for race, religion, political opinion, and views on extramarital sex was still significantly different and in which direction. Combining the ANOVA and the multivariate regression showed our findings as significantly associated in a positive or negative pattern/direction. Based on the results each dummy variable showed in the ANOVA test the variable was then analyzed as being significantly different from the constant; with a beta level that showed the strength per standard deviation of each variable controlling for all others. Results Table1 Table 1 reports the frequencies of our sample and thus importantly affects the outcome of our hypotheses. When people were asked their opinion on premarital sex, the respondents mean answer was 2.99, illustrating that, generally, respondents perceived premarital sex as being wrong only sometimes. Females made up 56.22%* of the sample, while males, the minority, made up 43.78%* of the sample. Because we were interested primarily in the perceptions of Hispanic respondents, we focused our analysis on the 4.08% of Hispanics in comparison to all other races, 95.92%.

11
Table 1. Descriptive Statistics N Sex Before Marriage Gender Males* Females* Race Hispanic Other Extra Marital sex Wrong at any time* Not wrong at any time* Political Views Liberal* Conservative* Religion Christian* Jewish Non Religious* 1480 1480 1480 0 0 0 1 1 1 17.70%* 76.76% 2.09%* 0.382 0.423 0.143 901 901 0 0 1 1 54.94%* 45.06%* 0.498 0.498 928 928 0 0 1 1 97.84%* 2.16%* 0.145 0.145 1494 1494 0 0 1 1 4.08% 95.92% 0.197 0.197 1494 1494 0 0 1 1 43.78%* 56.22%* 0.496 0.496 1019 Min 1 Max 4 Mean/Percentages 2.99 Standard Deviation 1.231

*ANOVA test used to compute significance

1

We posited that respondents who viewed extramarital sex as wrong, constitutes

97.84%*, which is compared with the minority of respondents who believed extramarital sex was not wrong, at 2.16%*. Another hypothesis that we posited was that political ideology would be a significant factor in opinions of premarital sex, thus we compared Conservatives, 54.94%*, and Liberals, 45.06%*. Finally, we hypothesized that religious affiliation would be a large determinant of opinions on premarital sex, we measured 17.7%* of the sample to have no religion, 76.76%* of the sample identified as some form of Christian, and 2.09% of the sample identified as Jewish. Our ANOVA tests compared means at a significance of .05, .01, and .001 alpha levels.2 We tested each variable, that proved significant at p< .05, at the next highest level of significance to see just how significant of a difference could be accounted for.

*Denotes *Denotes

statistical significance statistical significance

12 Model 1 In Model 1 of our multivariate regression, we analyzed gender perceptions of premarital sex. In comparison to females, males have a strongly significant (p< .001)* positive association (.26) with permissiveness toward premarital sex. Gender accounts for 1.0% variance of permissiveness in Model 1.

Tabel 2. Regression Analysis of Premarital Sex Model 1 Model 2 Model 3 Sex (vs. Female) Male Race (vs. non-Hisp.) Hispanic ExmarSex is Wrong (vs. Not Wrong) Political Orientation (Vs. Conservative) Liberal Religion Jewish Christian Non-religous Intercept R
2 *** **

Model 4
**

Model 5
**

0.26

0.26 -0.01

0.21 -5.93 0.98

*

0.34 -0.23 0.74

0.25 -0.11 0.74

0.88

***

0.73 0.83 -0.81 0.77

***

*** *** **

2.88 0.01 1019

***

2.88 0.01 1019

***

2.90 0.02 468

***

2.33 0.13 283

***

3.07 0.21 279

Source: 2010 General Social Survey * p<.05. ** p<.01.*** p<.001.

Model 2 Model 2 compared males while controlling for the variable Hispanics. Controlling for race, male respondents had a mildly significant (p< .01)*, positive association toward permissiveness of premarital sex. Controlling for gender, Hispanics had a non-significant relationship in comparison to other races. Race has no significant association toward permissiveness of premarital sex, while gender does present a pattern

13 of positive association (.26). Race and gender together, account for 1.0% variance in permissiveness toward premarital sex in Model 2. Model 3 Model 3 analyzed the effects of gender, race, and respondents opinions of extramarital sex on permissiveness toward premarital sex. Controlling for race and opinions of extramarital sex, males had a non-significant, positive association toward permissiveness of premarital sex. Controlling for gender and opinions of extramarital sex, Hispanics had a non-significant, negative association toward permissiveness of premarital sex, compared to all other races in this model. Controlling for gender and race, respondents who believe extramarital sex is wrong had a slightly significant (p<. 05)*, positive association toward permissiveness of premarital sex (.98). Gender, race, and respondents opinions of extramarital sex account for 2% variance in respondents permissiveness of premarital sex in Model 3. Model 4 Model 4 analyzed the associations when controlling for gender, race, opinions of extramarital sex, and political orientation. Controlling for race, extramarital sex, and political orientation, males had a moderately significant (p< .01)*, positive association with permissiveness toward premarital sex (.34). Controlling for gender, opinions of extramarital sex, and political orientation, Hispanics had a non-significant, negative association with permissiveness of premarital sex. Controlling for gender, race and political orientation, respondents who believe extramarital sex is wrong, had a nonsignificant, positive association to permissiveness of premarital sex. Controlling for gender, race, and extramarital sex, Liberals had a very significant (p< .001)*, positive

14 association to permissiveness of premarital sex (.88). Gender, race, extramarital sex, and political orientation account for 13% variance in permissiveness of premarital sex. Model 5 Model 5 compares the effect of gender, race, extramarital sex, political orientation and religion: Jewish, Christian and non-religious. Controlling for race, extramarital sex, political orientation and religion, male respondents had a moderately significant (p< .01)*, positive association (.25) in permissiveness toward premarital sex compared to women. Controlling for gender, extramarital sex, political orientation and religion, Hispanics had a non-significant, negative association compared to non-Hispanics regarding permissiveness of premarital sex. Controlling for gender, race, political orientation and religion respondents who believe extramarital sex is wrong had a nonsignificant, positive association toward permissiveness toward premarital sex. Controlling for gender, race, extramarital sex, and religion, liberals had a strongly significant (p< .001)*, positive association (.73) to permissive of premarital sex. Controlling for gender, race, extramarital sex, political orientation, Christians and non-religious respondents, Jewish people had a non-significant, positive association to permissiveness of premarital sex; in contrast to Christians and Non-religious respondents, who both had significant associations to permissiveness. Controlling for gender, race, extramarital sex, political orientation, and religion Christians had a strongly significant (p<. 001)*, negative association (-.81) to permissiveness of premarital sex. Christian respondents were the only measured religious category that had a negative association to premarital sex in comparison to Non-religious respondents who also had significant, but positive association, to premarital sex. Controlling for gender, race, extramarital sex, political

15 orientation, Christians and Jews, non-religious respondents had a strongly significant (p<. 001)*, positive association (.77) to being more permissive of premarital sex. Gender, race, opinions of extramarital sex, political orientation and religion (Jewish, Christian, non-religious) were responsible for 21% variance in permissiveness to premarital sex in Model 5. Model 5 validates our hypotheses: men will be more permissive than women toward premarital sex; liberals will be more permissive toward premarital sex than conservatives; Christians will be less permissive of premarital sex; and non-religious respondents will be more permissive of premarital sex. Our hypotheses did not hold true in the case of Hispanics, respondents who believe extramarital sex to be wrong, or Jewish respondents in comparison to significant differences with regard to each variables constant of analysis. Comparing all the independent variables to premarital sex, our analysis shows that they account for 21% of the variance in respondents permissiveness of premarital sex. Our regression analysis indicates that liberals and males have the highest standardized coefficient, signifying that they are the strongest predictors of permissiveness of premarital sex. Male and non-religious respondents are the most likely to participate in, or support premarital sex. In contrast, the regression shows that Christians are the least likely to support premarital sex. Discussion We first ran a frequencies test from our sample in order to test our hypotheses. People were asked their opinion on premarital sex and the frequency test showed us that, in general, the respondents perceived premarital sex as being wrong only sometimes.

16 Our primary interest was in the perceptions of Hispanic respondents, so our analysis is based on their responses compared to all the other races. We hypothesized that political ideology would be a significant factor in opinions on premarital sex so we compared Conservatives and Liberals. We also hypothesized that religious affiliation would be a large determinant of opinions on premarital sex. Once we compared all the independent variables to premarital sex, our analysis shows that they all account for only 21% of the variance in respondents permissiveness of premarital sex. The regression analysis shows us that liberals have the highest standardized coefficient, signifying that it is the strongest predictor of premarital sex. The next strongest predictor of premarital sex is non-religiousness. Our regression analysis substantiated only some our hypotheses. Past research supports our hypotheses that religious affiliation, gender, political ideology have significant findings in contrast to control groups regarding sentiments about premarital sex. In Race and Gender Differences and the Role of Sexual Attitudes in Adolescent Sexual Behavior, Laura Simon concludes that gender and race affect the behavior of premarital sex itself (2011:20). While Simon did not ascertain differences between genders and sex regarding attitudes toward premarital sex, the fact her data indicate that sex and gender affect the onset and frequency of premarital sex from a behavioral standpoint signifies that at least some degree of difference can be explained by gender and sex regarding attitudes toward premarital sex. Trends in Premarital sex in the United States, 1954-2003 also examines behaviors pertaining to premarital sex. Lawrence Finers meta-analysis demonstrates that premarital sex is a very common sexual behavior in the United States, at least during the mid-

17 twentieth century and early twenty-first century (2007:73). Differences in premarital sex behavior between males and females were negligible, and it appears to refute our hypothesis that males will be more permissive of premarital sex than females. However, it should be noted that attitudes do not necessarily translate to behaviors. While females may be less permissive of premarital sex, the fact they engage in the behavior at a rate on par with males indicates that long-standing gender norms likely have an effect on sentiments but not the behavior itself. A meta-analytic review of research on gender differences in sexuality, 1993-2007 also confirms our hypothesis that males are more permissive of premarital sex than females. The data obtained from the meta-analysis indicates that men are more permissive of a plethora of sexual behaviors than females, including premarital sex (Petersen and Hyde 2010:32). As mentioned prior, although behaviors may be similar between males and females regarding premarital sex, sentiments can simultaneously be distinct in the face of equivalent behavioral patterns. Regarding religious affiliation and permissiveness of premarital sex, Secularization and the Influence of Religion on Beliefs about Premarital Sex indicates religious affiliation directly influences sentiments in respect to premarital sex (Petersen and Donnenwerth 1997:1071). In particular, right-leaning religious denominations have the greatest effect on adherents, who are less likely to be permissive of premarital sex and are less likely to engage in the behavior themselves (Petersen and Donnenwerth 1997:1074). Conversely, liberal religious denominations and secular values contribute to a greater permissiveness toward premarital sex (Petersen and Donnenwerth 1997:1072).

18 Our hypotheses, that political conservatives and Christians are less likely to be permissive of premarital sex, are both confirmed by this publication. Curiously there were very few studies comparing the opinions on premarital in samples containing non-religious individuals. In our data the beta level for non-religious respondents increased by a value of (.77) in response to premarital sex. These values would suggest that population of non-religious individuals have an intriguing difference from all other religious respondents in our sample. To further investigate these differences a qualitative study could be conducted to further gain insight into personal opinions and morality of these individuals. In our study we faced many limitations regarding the sampling of the population within our sample. We had an under-sampling of a few key groups in our analysis that could have skewed our findings. Due to restraints of the research, we were also unable to combine the effects of categories that limited what we could say about the groups in the sample. Our own reflexivity in regard to our socialization gave us expectations about what groups would yield our anticipated result. In the case of race, Hispanics did not show any significance in comparison to other races, which contradicted our hypothesis.

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Annotated Bibliography "As Marriage and Parenthood Drift Apart, Public Is Concerned about Social Impact."Pew Social Demographic Trends RSS. Pew Research Center, 1 July 2007. Web. 22 Sept. 2013. <http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2007/07/01/as-marriage-andparenthood-drift-apart-public -is-concerned-about-social-impact/>. As Marriage and Parenthood Drift Apart was a study completed by the Pew Research Center analyzing the many factors which affect peoples feeling toward premarital sex. A portion of the analysis provides data about the likely of respondents who were religious to be non permissive to premarital sex. Most respondents who attended church weekly had strong feelings against premarital and while others who only attended on a somewhat regular basis felt less strongly about the negative effects of premarital sex. Carter, Wendy Y. Attitudes Towards Pre-Marital Sex, Non-Marital Childbearing, Cohabitation, and Marriage Amoung Blacks and Whites. Working paper no. 61. Center for Population Research of the National Institute of Child Health and

20 Human Development, n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2013. <http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/cde/nsfhwp/nsfh61.pdf>. This study uses the National Survey of Family and Households to examine racial differences in attitudes towards premarital sex and other variables. They found that racial differences in attitudes toward premarital sex are substantially influenced by gender and age. While whites are more likely than blacks to approve of premarital sex, white men and women tend to differ considerably in their views. Whereas young white males are more likely to approve of premarital sex than any other group, older white females are least likely to approve. Finer, Lawrence B. "Trends in premarital sex in the United States, 1954 2003."Public Health Reports 122.1 (2007): 73. Data from the 2002 survey indicate that by age 20, 77% of respondents had had sex, 75% had had premarital sex, and 12% had married; by age 44, 95% of respondents (94% of women, 96% of men, and 97% of those who had ever had sex) had had premarital sex. Even among those who abstained until at least age 20, 81% had had premarital sex by age 44. Among cohorts of women turning 15 between 1964 and 1993, at least 91% had had premarital sex by age 30. Among those turning 15 between 1954 and 1963, 82% had had premarital sex by age 30, and 88% had done so by age 44. Almost all Americans have sex before marrying. These findings argue for education and interventions that provide the skills and information people need to protect themselves from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases once they become sexually active, regardless of marital status.

21 Healey, Joseph F. The Essentials of Statistics. 3rd ed. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2013. Print. The Essentials of Statistics focuses on descriptive statistics. This textbook houses the data for our analysis. Jansen, John. "Abortion, Premarital Sex, and Public Opinion." ProLife Hotline. N.p., 18 Feb. 2013.Web. 17 Sept. 2013. <http://prolifeaction.org/hotline/2013/publicopinion/>. Pro-Life Action League, an anti-abortion advocacy group based in Chicago, IL, analyzed the conclusions of an article conducted by Dr. Michael New. According to the aforementioned individual, The best predictor of someones attitude toward abortion is his or her opinion on the morality of premarital sex. People who think that premarital sex is morally acceptable are very likely to be prochoice. Conversely, individuals who think premarital sex is wrong are likely to be pro-life. Dr. News findings support our hypothesis: there is a positive relationship between permissiveness toward premarital sex and the opinion that a female should be able to receive an abortion legally for any reason. Jones, Julie. "Money, Sex, and the Religious Right: A Constitutional Analysis of Federally Funded Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Sexuality Education."Creighton L. Rev. 35 (2001): 1075. "An educated populace is essential to the political and economic health of any community...."' This includes a sexually educated populace. Researchers are increasingly gaining evidence, which supports the common sense conclusion that a sexually educated populace is more cost efficient to society as a whole. They are better able to prevent unintended pregnancies and the contraction of sexually

22 transmitted diseases, thereby lowering immense medical and social costs. Section 510 of Title V of the Social Security Act,2 enacted in 1996, takes a large step backwards in this realm. It provides federal funding for human sexuality education programs, which are limited to promoting sexual abstinence until marriage, turning a blind eye to the proven benefits of contraception education. It puts a minority of people's religious views above the health of our nation's youth. Mirande, Alfred M., and Elizabeth L. Hammer. "Premarital Sexual Permissiveness and Abortion: Standards of College Women." JSTOR. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2013. <http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/1388553?uid=3739840>. This 1974 study, published in The Pacific Sociological Review, established a relationship between attitudes toward premarital sex and views on the legalization of abortion. Based on survey results obtained from female college students that year, a positive relationship was found between liberal attitudes toward premarital sex and support for the legalization of abortion. Our hypothesis -- that there is a positive relationship between premarital sex permisiveness and the support for the legalization of abortion, under all circumstances -- is supported by the findings of Mirandes and Hammers survey conducted in 1974. It will be interesting to determine if attitudes have changed dramatically since the publication of this article. Saunders, William, Fr. "Share." Pre-marital Sex: Lessons from Reason, Scripture. Arlington Catholic Herald, 1997. Web. 23 Sept. 2013. <http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/life-and-family/marriage/ premarital-sex-lessons-from-reason-scripture/>.

23 Although there is not a comparison of analysis in this article, there is a strong suggestion that all Catholic respondents will hold similar values to the ones presented in this article. It is a brief history of the teaching of Catholic church on premarital sex. Based on what is being taught and which races we know to be predominantly Catholic this article may be helpful in analyzing and supporting our hypotheses not only toward religion but also race. Simon, Laura E., "Race and Gender Differences and the Role of Sexual Attitudes in AdolescentSexuaBehavior" (2011).SociologyTheses, Dissertations, & Student Research.Paper 13.http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/sociologydiss/13 This study researches race and gender differences and the role of sexual attitudes in adolescent sexual behavior. The researcher found that sexual behavioral trends vary by race and gender adding further intricacies in understanding adolescent sexuality. The results show that adolescent sexual behavior varies by race and gender both within and across groups. Also, sexual attitudes mediate race and gender differences in sexual behavior for some groups but no for others. Petersen, Larry R., and Gregory V. Donnenwerth. "Secularization and the Influence of Religion on Beliefs about Premarital Sex." JSTOR. N.p., Mar. 1997. Web. 24 Sept. 201 The research in this article suggests a direct correlation between religious belief and feelings toward all sexual activity. It provides a substantial amounts of information about Christian/Protestant groups and the decline of such strict beliefs toward premarital sex as secularization occurs. Peterson argues that more conservative and traditional religious services lead into the maintenance of such

24 traditional beliefs about premarital sex. He also suggests that these values will not be able to be maintained as the social norm as groups break away into more liberal religious practices. Petersen, Jennifer L., and Janet Shibley Hyde. "A meta-analytic review of research on gender differences in sexuality, 19932007." Psychological bulletin 136.1 (2010): 21. In 1993 Oliver and Hyde conducted a meta-analysis on gender differences in sexuality. The current study updated that analysis with current research and methods. Evolutionary psychology, cognitive social learning theory, social structural theory, and the gender similarities hypothesis provided predictions about gender differences in sexuality. We analyzed gender differences in 30 reported sexual behaviors and attitudes for 834 individual samples uncovered in literature searches and 7 large national data sets. In support of evolutionary psychology, results from both the individual studies and the large data sets indicated that men reported slightly more sexual experience and more permissive attitudes than women for most of the variables. However, as predicted by the gender similarities hypothesis, most gender differences in sexual attitudes and behaviors were small. Exceptions were masturbation incidence, pornography use, casual sex, and attitudes toward casual sex, which all yielded medium effect sizes in which male participants reported more sexual behavior or permissive attitudes than female participants. Most effect sizes reported in the current study were comparable to those reported in Oliver and Hydes study. In support of cognitive social learning theory, year of publication moderated the magnitude of effect

25 sizes, with gender differences for some aspects of sexuality increasing over time and others decreasing. As predicted by social structural theory, nations and ethnic groups with greater gender equity had smaller gender differences for some reported sexual behaviors than nations and ethnic groups with less gender equity. Gender differences decreased with age of the sample for some sexual behaviors and attitudes.