Beyond Abstinence

Although adolescent sexual activity is a topic of much concern, research has concentrated on the negative correlates of teenage sexual activity. This paper examines the differences between adolescents who engage in risky sexual intercourse versus those who engage in mature sexual activity, using a maturity scale that encompasses frequency and type of contraceptive use, number of sexual partners, and frequency of intercourse. Analyses are based on self and peer reports of 22 male and 26 female sexually active teenagers out of a sample of 138 moderately at-risk adolescents surveyed. Results indicate that adolescents who are sexually active do not appear to be less competent than adolescents who abstain from sexual intercourse. Furthermore, adolescents who engage in more mature sexual activity are perceived as more likeable and less aggressive by their peers, as compared to teenagers engaging in risky sexual activity. Mature sexual behavior was also predicted by positive self-reports of social competence as broadly defined, although dimensions related to self esteem were not related to maturity. These findings suggest that adolescents who are sexually active are not less socially competent than abstaining teenagers, and that, among those who are sexually active, teenagers engaging in mature sexual activity are more competent than adolescents who engage in risky sexual behaviors