Population Institute

This study sought to examine young adult sexuality in the context of the family its main aim is to identify the family characteristics and situation that are likely to predispose males and females 15-24 years old to premarital sexual intercourse. Towards this end, the study set forth three specific objectives:

• To find out if there is a significant relationship between the incidence of premarital sexual intercourse and a) parents’ characteristics, b) family attitudes, values and norms, c) family structure and configuration, and d) family relationships and interaction;
• To find out if the influence of family – level variables on the incidence of premarital sexual intercourse varies between male and female young adult; and
• To find out if the relationship between the family – level variables and young adult premarital sexual intercourse persist when age, marital status, urban exposure, region, type of school and association with peers with premarital sex experience are controlled.

This research is a secondary analysis of the 1994 Young Adult Fertility Survey (YAFSII). Based on the contextual and operational definitions formulated, corresponding indicators of the study variables were identified from the YAFSII data set. The main dependent variable being a categorical variable, the study used logistic regression for the data analysis. Descriptive statistics helped in further refining the analysis and interpretation of the relationships of interest to the study.

Within the limitations of this study, the following conclusions are proffered:

• The incidence of premarital sexual intercourse varies with differences in family characteristics and family situations. Comparatively, family situations have more impact on PMS incidence among young adults than family characteristics do. Moreover, living away from home and maternal control emerged as the most important variables linked to premarital sex risks among young adults.
• The effect of family-level variables is stronger among males than among females. This is reflected in the greater number of familial variables significantly related with males’ PMS experience, and in the generally higher odds ratios and coefficients associated with the said significant factors.
• The effect of family-level variables on young adult PMS experience is substantially weakened when important non-familial variables are simultaneously considered in the analysis.

The theoretical, practical and research implications of the findings are identified and corresponding recommendations are presented.