"Daphnis did some of what Lykainion had taught him. And it was then for the first time that Chloe learned that what they did in the woods was shepherd's play."
~ Daphnis & Chloe
By the end of adolescence, more than 80 percent of males and 70 percent of females have had intercourse (Gordon & Schroeder, 1995). The loss of virginity is marked as a sexual debut, officially making adolescents sexual beings (Savioja et al., 2015). Becoming a sexual being is a monumental part of psychosocial and psychosexual development. The development of sexual awareness and sexual awakening is critical for personal development, influencing both social and psychological dimensions. After a long period of sexual latency during childhood, desires awaken, and the adolescent is confronted with the task of understanding their sexuality (Klein, 1947). There is a great range to the frequency and type of sexual experiences teenagers have during adolescence. Parents and guardians of teenagers attempt to restrict and discourage these behaviors. However, this can hinder sexual development and can impact sexual functioning in adulthood. In addition, adolescent sexual experiences that are labeled as negative can lead to unfavorable adult sexual functioning. These positive adolescent experiences can be beneficial to adult sexual relationships and can help reduce issues regarding sexuality. The connection between a person’s sexual experiences during late adolescence and a person’s confidence levels of sexual performance in adulthood is an interesting discussion to bring into the academic community. To shed some light on how these experiences with sexual activities during one’s youth may impact sexual performance confidence level as an adult, it is important to discuss the types of experiences a person has had with sexual activities in their younger years. By developing an understanding of sexual encounters in adolescents, a connection to sexual performance and confidence levels in adulthood could be made. In addition, if we can understand adult sexual satisfaction and confidence levels resulting from adolescent experiences, then the perspective of adolescent sexuality may change to benefit developing teenagers. Potard et al. (2008), in their insightful study, presented data drawn from confidential interviews with 100 preparatory school adolescents regarding their sexual behaviors and perceptions of peer beliefs regarding sexual activities. This interview consisted of 35 closed questions addressing sexual experience or inexperience and the power of social forces on reproductive health. Fifty-five percent of interviewees stated they had experienced several sexual encounters with penetration. Boys often stated that they believe their friends do not feel that love is required for sexual relations. Also found, a doubly greater percentage of individuals engaged in sex when one perceives one’s peers to support sexual relations with no attachment. Boys again thought more often than girls that their friends support one-night stands. This belief was also associated with pressure to have intercourse for virgins. The influence of peers extended even to sexually preparatory decisions. Perceived peer attitudes towards condom usage were tied to less embarrassment when buying them. In addition, the perception that peers regularly use condoms is also associated with their usage. The perception of the number of peers that have had sex did not influence pressure to have sex. Pressure to have sex was augmented by the belief of peer support for abortion. This pressure to have sex was tied to having the intent of having sex as soon as the opportunity presented itself. In the study, the perception of peers being sexually active was a predictor of the enactment of sexual activity, but it also predicted condom use at first intercourse. Their results showed boys feel more pressure than girls to have sex, but there is less pressure for and actuated sexual activity in adolescents who believe that love is required for sexual intercourse. Peer education was noted to be chiefly pertinent.
Donenberg et al. (2003) conducted a survey of 198 adolescents ages 12-19 in which they investigated the psychological health of sexually active adolescents and attempted to find social, cognitive, neuroscientific, and behavioral explanations. These adolescents were registered in an outpatient program and were questioned regarding the age of sexual virginity loss, family life, social and intimate relationships, and personal traits. Twenty-two percent had a mood disorder, 31 percent had an anxiety disorder, 41 percent had a disruptive behaviour disorder, and 65 percent had one psychiatric disorder. Donenberg and colleagues aimed to find connections between adolescent sexual behavior and mental health. Hostile family environments, negative peer relationships, and external locus of control was found in 178 (90 percent) of participants to be connected to initiating sex both before the age of 14 and afterwards. Out of the factors mentioned, parental hostility, as well as high parental overprotection and peer pressure, were found to be the most significant variables. Positive peer influences were found to be a preventative influence on sexual debut. Out of all participants, 39 percent reported already having vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Forty-two percent reported having had sex with a person who they thought may have had a venereal disease. Forty-nine percent reported having sex under the
influence of drugs and alcohol. Sixty-six percent previously had sex without condoms. The
researchers suggest that teens with psychopathology often have dysfunctional social and familial lives. This environmental dysfunction very often leads to sexual promiscuity, which can henceforward lead to further issues. Regarding adolescent social environments, the authors reported that being a part of a social network that does not promote self-efficacy, self-confidence, personal achievement, and other enriching beliefs can lead to risk-taking behaviours, including sexual promiscuity.
Savioja et al. (2015) conducted a cross-sectional study with 186,632 adolescents
regarding their number of sexual experiences and how these linked to parental involvement and depression. Of all interviewed, 92,478 (49.6 percent) were boys, and 94,154 (50.4 percent) were girls. 37 percent of girls and 32.7 percent of boys reported that they had experienced intercourse. Reporting five or more partners was associated with risky sexual behavior. Of those adolescents who participated in the study, 15.2 percent of girls and 16.9 percent of the boys reported having had intercourse with five or more sexual partners. Depression was measured using a Finnish modification of the Beck Depression Inventory. In the whole sample, 44.5 percent of depressed adolescents had already experienced intercourse, while the figure was 34.6 percent with non-depressed adolescents. Experience of sexual intercourse across all ages was associated with lower parental involvement. In early adolescence, having experienced intercourse was associated with low parental involvement. Having five or more sexual partners was highest in the group of early adolescents who reported low parental involvement. Having experienced sexual intercourse was less common if parental involvement was on an average
level - and even lesser if parental involvement was on a high level. Associations between
parental involvement and sexual experience diminished with age. Reporting five or more
partners was associated with depression among sexually active adolescents in girls up to age 19-20 and boys up to age 17.
Rapsey (2014) studied the impact of first sexual experiences on later sexual difficulties.
The study was conducted with the sample size 388; 169 of the participants identified as female and 219 identified as male. All participants were of varying ages, sexual orientations, and academic achievement levels. The levels of the independent variable in the study were the age that one had their first sex, mood, substance use, negative first sex, and relationship status. The dependent variable being measured was current sexual difficulties, using the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS). Rapsey hypothesized that there is a relationship between age and quality of first sex and later sexual difficulties. The participants in the study completed questionnaires while being supervised; they were given compensation that varied by the survey location. Rapsey analyzed the results using a univariate linear regression, linear association tests, tests for variation by gender, a multivariate regression, and pathway analysis. Those who had their first sex at a later age were less likely to label their experience as negative. There was no direct association between the age of first sex and current sexual difficulty. However, one’s experience with first sex on an emotional level is associated with later sexual difficulty, specifically the experience of negative emotions. Those who had their first sex at a later age had sex less frequently in adulthood. The findings of this study convey that adolescent sexual experiences, particularly the age that an individual has their first sex, can later influence
adult sexual relationships, specifically, how regularly one engages in sex in adulthood. This is significant as one’s experience level with sex and later sexual difficulty can impact one’s confidence in their ability to perform.
A longitudinal study conducted by Vasilenko et al. (2016) aimed to explore adolescent
sexual and romantic experiences and the lasting impact they have on adulthood sexual
relationships. The sample consisted of 4,125 United States high school students, selected using a clustered sampling design. The participants were interviewed in four waves throughout 14 years. Wave 1 was conducted while the participants were in adolescence. This wave placed the participants in latent classes based on their sexual and romantic relationships. Later data collected from the same individuals was compared with their earlier placements to establish a connection between adolescent experiences and adult outcomes. Correlates of membership of the various classes were assigned numerical values and analyzed. The researchers hypothesized that adolescent latent class membership is associated with young adult sexual health and relationship
outcomes. They found the latent class an individual was placed in during adolescence is a
significant predictor of the number of sexual partners and sexually transmitted infection diagnoses in adulthood. Those in the three latent classes that did not have any major sexual behaviors during adolescence had overall fewer sexual partners in their lifetime. This study found the influence of adolescent sexual experiences on adult sexual practices to be lasting. Those who do not engage in sexual activities during adolescence will have less sexual experience and fewer partners in adulthood, which has the potential to impact one’s sexual confidence.
Pearson (2018) conducted a study to explore adolescent sexual beliefs, resulting from the culture surrounding sex at their high school. In addition, the impact this culture has on adult sexuality was measured. The sample was comprised of heterosexual females. The final sample size of the study was 1,017, after some participants became ineligible to continue. This was due to their experience of changes in the qualities being investigated, such as the status of their relationship. The study was conducted in three waves, measuring sexual beliefs and practices. Wave 1 was conducted while the participants were in adolescence; Wave 2 was conducted one year later; Wave 3 was conducted while the participants were young adults. Pearson hypothesized that students of the high schools who held negative views on sex and birth control will have similar views in adulthood and that they will initiate sex with their partner and experience orgasms less often. The study was conducted using an online survey to determine attitudes and experiences. Data was analyzed using multiple multilevel linear regression models and multilevel logistic regressions. The study found that those that held more shameful feelings about sex felt that there were more obstacles to birth control. Those with higher expectations of
pleasure were more likely to be sexually active. The culture of the high school influences the likelihood to initiate sex. The study found that those who were sexually active in adolescence were more likely to initiate sex as often as their partner in adulthood. This is important as those who were sexually active in adolescence felt the confidence to initiate sex with their partner, demonstrating the impact of adolescent sexual experiences on feelings of adult sexual Confidence.
Shulman et al. (2019) assessed how adolescent sexual experiences might affect future
romantic relationships. They looked at if the context of those relationships, whether a dating romantic relationship or a non-exclusive sexual relationship, had an effect on the satisfaction level in participant’s relationship four years after initial contact. It was hypothesized that individuals who had a romantic dating relationship in adolescence would have greater satisfaction in their relationship four years later. They further hypothesized that having non-exclusive sexual relationships, or those not dating, at the time of adolescence would result in lower relationship satisfaction in their relationship four years later. Hypotheses were tested by studying participants who were randomly selected from three public schools in Israel. All participants were ages 16 to 18 at the beginning of this study and ages 20 to 22 during the study’s second stage. Participants were separated into two groups defined as having a romantic sexual relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or having sexual relations with someone they were not in a committed relationship with. Participants were asked to complete electronic diaries for a successive 10-day period, one diary during the initial study and the other diary four years later, along with two separate questionnaires, both on the first day of each diary period. The diary entries included a daily discussion of sexual activities. For the original journal, each participant was asked to write about whether they had experienced any sexual behavior that day or not and whom they were involved with. Sexual behavior was categorized between no touch with the other person indicated and having sexual intercourse. In part 2, after a four-year period, participants were prompted to discuss the quality of relationships and sexual encounters they were currently having, rating these interactions based on satisfaction and experience. After review of the journals, results indicated that participants at the beginning of the study, ages 16 to 18, who said they were in a dating sexual relationship, were considered to have higher levels of support and satisfaction than those who were in non-exclusive sexual relationships. At the time of the study four years later, those same individuals, now ages 20 to 22, indicated similar results. These diaries indicated that individuals who had been in satisfactory sexual dating relationships previously were either still or again in satisfactory relationships. Also, participants who were in non-exclusive relationships previously showed less satisfaction in their current relationships or were lacking a current sexual committed relationship. These results are important to future studies because they indicate an important link between having beneficial sexual experiences in adolescence and satisfactory adult relationships.
Bauserman and Davis (1996) set out to determine the connection between adolescent
sexual experiences, both positive and negative, as well as the attitudes and satisfaction of sexual experiences at the time of study. The attitudes of the subjects included measures of
comfortability to discuss sexual encounters, level of sexual satisfaction, and what sexual
encounters were considered acceptable. Participants were encouraged to discuss all sexual experiences, including those with individuals more than three years older than themselves, or considered adult at time of encounter. It was hypothesized that individuals who reported more positive experiences of sexual activity in adolescence would have more positive views on sexual expression, have higher sexual satisfaction, and find greater pleasure from sexual stimuli. Also, the inverse was hypothesized. Participants were selected from a private Northeastern university. All participants were psychology undergraduate students and most were White individuals who grew up in the same area as the college. The original 141 participants were placed into groups of four or five people. After questionnaires were administered, subjects were categorized as either being in a positive experiences group, negative experiences group, no experiences group or
mixed experiences group. Questionnaires were handed out to participants in a packet which included the Sexual History Questionnaire, Sexual Opinion Survey, Sexual Attitudes for Self and Others Questionnaire, and Sexual Satisfaction Inventory. Participants completed these documents at their own speed in a secluded stall which were subsequently collected by researchers. From these surveys, researchers were able to determine which participant fit into which category. Survey results indicated that participants in the positive experiences group were more accepting of sexual expressions than those in the negative or no experiences groups. Also indicated by survey results was level of sexual satisfaction. The groups labeled as positive and mixed adolescent sexual experiences ranked higher in sexual satisfaction at time of survey than the other groups in this category. Furthermore, the study indicated a greater acceptance of differing sexual encounters by the positive experiences group. This study is significant because it
shows a correlation between positive sexual experiences in adolescence with an ability to discuss sexual encounters comfortably, a higher sexual satisfaction level, and greater acceptance of varying sexual encounters in adulthood.
Meier and Allen (2007) studied the quality and types of romantic relationships in
adolescence and how these relationships impact the evolution of relationships for seven years into young adulthood. Participants started as adolescents in grades 7 to 12, ranging from ages 11 to 18, at the initial contact. These participants matured to ages 13 to 20 at the second contact, approximately one year later, and matured to ages 18 to 25 by the final contact, 5 to 6 years later. Participants were surveyed with the use of an Audio Computer Assisted Self-Interview by which they could read and hear the questions without any help from the experimenter. They then answered by typing their answers into the computer to assure candid results. This was the style of questionnaire format for all three interactions across the seven-year span. Questionnaires were set out to determine information relating to four main categories: type, patterns, and quality of adolescent romantic relationships, and experience in young adult relationships which was asked about at the final contact. Socio-demographic measures were also looked at. Results indicated that relationship patterns generally remained consistent. Of the participants who indicated a lack of romantic relationship during the initial questionnaire, approximately 70 percent remained
without a relationship. Also, for individuals who considered themselves in a stable romantic
relationship at the time of the first questionnaire, about 60 percent admitted to being in a stable relationship during the second meeting. Overall, relationship status showed a higher progression rate at 77 percent as opposed to a regression rate, 23 percent. Furthermore, socio-demographic level played a role in relationship status. Individuals who were found most likely to be considered in committed relationships were those in the middle and older adolescence category. Also, female participants and individuals who came from divorced or similar style family units were considered most likely to not be single at the time of the second interview. When looking at quality of relationship, this study indicated that adolescents who reported being in a stable relationship at the first and second interviews were more likely to have had sex than those who reported a lack of relationship at either time of questioning. Six times as likely, to be exact. Also, those who reported sex in their most recent relationship were overwhelmingly individuals who were female, from divorced or similarly regarded families, or mid to later adolescence. When discussing how relationships in adolescence translate into young adult relationships, the study showed that individuals who reported having sexual activity in adolescence were three times as
likely to have had more relationships into adulthood than those who did not have sex. At the time of the third questionnaire or young adulthood, the same participants who were more likely to have been in stable relationships and have sex were more likely to have cohabited or marry. Overall, this study determined that individuals who stated they had experienced sexual intercourse in adolescence also were more likely to have a larger number of partners and were more prone to cohabitation or marriage in young adulthood. The significance of this study is that there appears to be a correlation between having sexual intercourse in adolescence and maintaining positive relationships in young adulthood which include marriage and cohabitation.
To answer the question of whether sexual experiences in late adolescence indicates a
greater level of confidence in sexual performance during adulthood more research must be conducted. However, it has been revealed that the sexual experiences one has during late adolescence can significantly influence one’s sexual functioning, practices, and confidence as an adult. Adolescent sexual behaviors and experiences affect how often one has sex as an adult, one’s number of partners, and how likely one is to initiate sex with their partner. These behaviors can reflect one’s confidence in both their ability to perform sexually and their ability to experience pleasure. In addition, previous studies have determined that sexual experiences during late adolescence do relate positively to having satisfactory adult relationships. These relationships may include marriage or cohabitation which may indicate higher confidence in regards to sexual relations. Also, prior research shows that positive sexual experiences in adolescence relates to higher sexual fulfillment, more expansive sexual encounters, and a greater capacity of talking about sexual behavior.
The practice of sexual activity during early adolescence (15 and under) is generally considered problematic and risky. In comparison to their older counterparts, teens at this age have a lesser degree of independence than those at 16 and 17. Older teenagers are experimenting with adulthood and the perceptual shift that occurs at the onset of 18. I would regard sexual activity in early adolescence as indicative of negligence or lack of preoccupation on the part of the parent.
Regardless of sexual debut, parents should always be open and honest about the topic of sex no matter if they suspect their child is or shall be active sexually. Many parents shy away from this conversation and insist that their children are not prepared for those conversations, however, it is likely that they have been exposed to more than they know at school already. At the onset of puberty, the topic of sex should be addressed via the conversation about bodily and pubertal changes. The emergence of sexual instincts and sexual hormones stimulate fantasies in the mind, thus, the adolescent shall be confronted with his own sexuality regardless of parental involvement or not. I suggest that parents answer sexual questions as soon as possible, not only to prevent external dangers, but internal dangers as well. It is much more prudent if children learn about this from their parents rather than their friends at the schoolyard.
The lack of conversation regarding these matters is much more damaging than actually having them. Lack of conversation about these matters not only facilitates internal confusion, but also creates interpersonal distance between the child and their parent. There is nothing more reassuring and more comforting to the child than a parent that is able to answer their embarrassing questions in a non-judgemental way. Having this conversation promotes closeness between parent and child provided that the parent holds space for them to speak about their concerns. The child instinctively recognises the secretive and prohibited nature of sex (at least unconsciously) and will naturally be embarrassed, but that does not mean that this conversation is not necessary. I recommend boys speak to their fathers and girls speak to their mothers so that the maximum amount of comfortability is provided.
The topic of sexual education is currently a controversial topic, especially in the United States. It is clear how necessary it is, given that the age of sexual debut in the United States is gradually decreasing. It is important to distinguish sexual education, however, from sexual propaganda. The biology of sexual matters is irrefutable and cannot be denied by anyone. A cohesive and comprehensive education about these matters should be given by schools independently of the parents because the quality and quantity of education received at home may not be adequate for the child. However, all political motives must be removed from sexual education for this to be effective and helpful. The providing of sexual education and family life must be given, for those who seek answers shall always find them.
References
Bauserman, R., & Davis, C. (1996). Perceptions of early sexual experiences and adult sexual adjustment. Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality, 8(3), 37-59.
Donenberg, G., Emerson, E., Mackesy-Amiti, M. E., & Fletcher, F. (2018). Sexual risk among African American girls seeking psychiatric care: A social-personal framework. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 86(1), 24–38. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000270 Gordon, B. N., & Schroeder, C. S. (1995). Sexuality: a Developmental Approach to problems. http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA2660399X
Klein, E. (1947) Psychoanalytic Aspects of School Problems, The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 3:1, 369-390, DOI: 10.1080/00797308.1947.11823093
Meier, A., & Allen, G. (2007). Romantic relationships from adolescence to young adulthood: Evidence from the national longitudinal study of adolescent health. The Sociological Quarterly, 50, 308-335. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.2009.01142.x
Pearson J (2018). High school context, heterosexual scripts, and young women’s sexual development. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(7), 1469–1485. 10.1007/s10964-018-0863-0 Potard, C., Courtois, R., & Rusch, E. (2008). The influence of peers on risky sexual behaviour during adolescence. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 13(3), 264–270. https://doi.org/10.1080/13625180802273530
Rapsey, C. M. (2014). Age, Quality, and Context of first Sex: Associations with Sexual Difficulties. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11(12), 2873–2881. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12690
Savioja, H., Helminen, M., Fröjd, S., Marttunen, M., & Kaltiala-Heino, R. (2015). Sexual experience and self-reported depression across the adolescent years. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 3(1), 337–347. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2015.1101696
Shulman, S., Scharf, M., Ziv, I., Norona, J., & Welsh, D. P. (2019). Adolescents’ sexual encounters with either romantic or casual partners and the quality of their romantic relationships four years later. The Journal of Sex Research, 00(00), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2018.1560387
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