See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/309193874

FACTORS THAT INDUCE PREMARITAL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AMONG

ADOLESCENTS: REASONS THAT LEAD TO TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Working Paper · October 2016

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.27677.51687

CITATIONS READS

0 19,186

3 authors, including:

Anna Bocar
Gulf College Oman
33 PUBLICATIONS   14 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

FACTORS THAT INDUCE PREMARITAL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AMONG ADOLESCENTS: REASONS THAT LEAD TO TEENAGE PREGNANCY View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Anna Bocar on 17 October 2016.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 FACTORS THAT INDUCE PREMARITAL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AMONG
ADOLESCENTS: REASONS THAT LEAD TO TEENAGE PREGNANCY
by
Dr. Anna Bocar
Gulf College, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Dr. Corazon Biong
MSU-IIT, Iligan City, Philippines

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the factors that induce teenagers to engage on premarital sexual
intercourse as perceived by the participants. The research instrument is administered to
more than three hundred students in one of the universities in Mindanao. The random
sampling technique was utilized to ensure the selection of sample from the university’s
population. Checklist opinion form was used to obtain the information from the
participants. This study revealed that open-mindedness of the adolescents in the present
days contributed most on their eagerness to engage in premarital sex. Although, the
participants also revealed that the other factors utilized in this study have also their
contributions that will push the adolescents to engage in premarital sex. In closing, the
researchers have ascertained that a family having the difficult means of earning a living
could not avoid to live in a low-cost housing or having a poor housing condition. At
some extent, the sexual abuse experiences were not perceived by the participants as the
most vital factor to engage premarital sex. Some participants rated the other items utilized
in this study with little percentage to be the factors that would push the teenagers to
engage premarital sexual intercourse.

INTRODUCTION

One of the important details in life that extremely need prudent and careful decision by

adolescents is whether to engage or not to engage pre-marital sexual intercourse, since the

action to be done is a big part of person’s life in the future. Teenagers are vulnerable population

to engage pre-marital sex. Pre-marital sex is terminologies which are mostly overheard by

people from the teenagers. Some engaged in this act in a casual way and think its effect after

they have committed such activity. It is of common knowledge that when a man and woman

engaged in sexual intercourse it is coupled with procreation. This will result to pregnancies and

for teenagers this will be an early entrance to the world of motherhood. Teenage pregnancies do
happen not only in the foreign countries but also even in the countries who faith is so strong to

their beliefs that doing premarital sex is a violation to the letters of the divine law.

This study is conducted due to the prevalent teenage pregnancy due to premarital sex.

Adolescents who engage in premarital sex face a lot of problems. The effects of premarital sex

must be clear to the young ones. The need to drive them away from the practice of premarital sex

is one of the purposes of this study. This study desires to petition for abstinence of doing sexual

activity. This investigation wants to promote that sex is a married couple thing and not for those

who did not yet received the Holy matrimony. In some ways, unintended pregnancies hinder

young one’s future plans which would likely lead them to a better life since early motherhood

requires time and money.

Review of Related Literature

The National Institute of Health (2005) claimed that aging is associated with a variety of

changes in man’s life. It explained that adolescence is a period of life characterized by dramatic

changes in biological processes, as well as physical and social contexts. It defined the age range

of adolescence as transversely the period between 12-17 years old. In the online article entitled

Caring for Your Teenager (2003) it discusses that adolescence stage ranges from years of

puberty to adulthood. This was approximately divided into three stages, to mention this are:

early adolescence ( 12 – 13 years of age ); middle adolescence ( 14 to 16 years of age ); and late

adolescence, ( 17 – 21 years of age). Generally, these are the ages were young ones are still in

their college education. In addition, the online article Caring for Your Teenager (2003) lay

down that, young boys and girls as they go into their adolescent stage they infrequently think

of the future. They do not have the ability to consider what the effects of their action are. At late

adolescence, a lot of young ones appear to value modification of situations and ideas and they
now plan the future. They started to increase their thoughts and at this moment there is

augmentation of their competence to solve problems; however, with the presence of their

innocence in life they inconsistently apply their newly acquired ability and occasionally they

may act with lack of correct judgment. As teenagers, there are points in life which they are not

yet of much understanding as the old ones. To be specific this refers to the acts called

premarital sex. According to Leyson ( n.d. ) “virginity is no longer a universally expected

prerequisite for the marriage covenant”. This statement might not be true to all people in the

world.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are present in North America or European countries

and they noticed that there is widespread premarital sex among adolescents in their respective

place. They learned that chastity is not important to them for they consider this as old-fashioned

virtue. This the reason why OFWs especially mothers are praying deeply that their daughters

and sons will continue to value chastity and do not follow what the Western societies are doing

(Villegas, 2011).

The results of the study of Woodward, Fergusson, and Horwood, (2004) emphasized that

majority of first pregnancies occurred between the ages of 17 and 20 years. In the United States

of America (USA) teenage pregnancy was seen to be existing while there are teenagers. The 75

percent of teenagers between ages 13 and 19 have had sex and 40 percent of all U.S.A. women

will get pregnant by the age 19 ( Myers, 1990 ).

In can be noted that teenage pregnancy entails lasting hardships to the mother and child.

According to Myers (1990) USA studies show that “women who bear their first child at an early

age bear more children rapidly and have more unwanted and out-of-wedlock births”. Myers

(1990) continued that, “82 percent of girls who gave birth at age 15 or younger were daughters of
teenage mothers”. She cited that experts point out that the reasons for the increase in the rate of

teenage pregnancy are pressures in the society and lack of sex education.

The state of being pregnant before getting married is at present one of the many

problems in Thai society, though Thai people have very good values and norms; however, in

the present social trend, more people have become open minded about couples cohabitating

before marriage and this trend is evident in all age groups, from students to adults ( Ounjit,

2011).

In the study of Ghuman, Huy, Lol and Knodel (2006) they declare that premarital sex

is becoming more common in Vietnam but is still not widespread. The increase in the frequency

of premarital sex was seen since there were individuals who engage in sex exclusively with a

future spouse. They further claimed that “very few men had premarital sex with someone other

than a future spouse”.

The state of being pregnant before getting married does not happen only in the foreign

land but this is also present in the Philippines. Persons who engage premarital sex is not punish

under Philippine laws but in some other countries they considered it as a crime but victimless.

Since victimless states do not prosecute persons accused of the crime (“Gale Group”, 2008).

In the study conducted by Zablan (1994) revealed that 18 percent of Filipino youths

approved premarital sex, 80 percent disapproved, and 2 percent were neutral (as cited in Leyson,

n.d.). According to the World Bank, the Philippines is among the top ten countries where there

is an increasing number of teenage mothers (Ong, 2009). Once the child is born the teenage

mom bears the burden of rearing the child at her very young age. This is not the only point to be

considered but generally this will add to the overpopulation of the country and increase the poor
quality of life. In the online article of Wiltse (2009), the Philippines is one of the fastest

growing populations in Asia with about 2 million new births each year. The government

estimated that in 2040 the Philippines' population is projected to expand to as many as 142

million. Furthermore, she expound that teenage pregnancy is widespread in the Philippines,

especially amongst the poor in Manila. Even though in the study conducted by Hayward, Grady,

and Billy (1992), outside the Philippines, showed that “socioeconomic status (SES), in which

income is part of SES, indirectly affects the risk of pregnancy”, still teenagers should have to

exercise prudence to avoid getting pregnant at early age. Young mothers face enormous health

risks, obstructed labor is common and results in newborn deaths and deaths or disabilities in the

mothers. Harding (2010) concurred in his article when he said that there are alleged harmful

physical and psychological effects of premarital sex and similarly with the out-of-wedlock

childbirth.

The words of Wiltse ( 2009 ) as regards to teenage pregnancy and fast growing

population was confirmed by Ong, ( 2009 ), the latter said that, “ Teenage pregnancy is on the

rise in the Philippines specifically in Manila”. She added that, in time of her reports there were

3.6 million teenage mothers in the Philippines. Gorne (2006) in a phone interview with the

Population Officer Velma Kangleon learned that teenage pregnancies are rampant and pre-

marital sex occurrences in Southern Leyte, Maasin City alarms the provincial government

According to Kangleon, the latest result on the the Pinoy Youth Survey in close coordination

with Population Commission was shocking as Eastern Visayas ranks second in the prevalence of

teenage pregnancies and pre-marital sex incidence next to Metro Manila to include Southern

Leyte ( as cited by Gorne, 2006). Kangleon reported further that, teenage pregnancies does not

exempt children at elementary level specifically those who have already their monthly period.
 To be pregnant at the age far away from the adolescent stage is important since at this

time the woman is expected to have finished her school and have a better job already which will

help her to escape economic problems. This is also expected that she is now physically ready to

face her motherhood (Melgar, (2009) as cited in Ong, 2009). Nevertheless, this social phase of

teenagers’ life needs proper guidance.

In the Philippines, a woman having the age below 17 is expected to be unmarried since
the age of majority is 18. This is the age where under the Philippine laws people could enter into
a valid contract. Therefore, this will raise the belief that when a woman has a child at this age
she is not yet married and has engaged in premarital sex. In the study carry out by the UP
Population Institute exhibit lower ages to those who engaged in premarital sex. It manifested that
one (1) out of four (4) Filipinos aged 15-24 are engaging in premarital sex, (“Premarital sex”,
2007). The study Adhikari and Tamang (2009) revealed that premarital sex is more likely
engaged by students aged 20. The results of the study of Chun Yi, Ksobiech and Chiao (2012)
affirm the previous study; however it specifically mentioned that male college students with an
educated mother were less likely to have premarital sex between the ages of 20 and 22 but not
the female. In the online article of Naijanewsreel (2011), it was stressed that corruption of
public morals and household disorder are social disorders which seems to be the results of
premarital sex.

Theoretical Background

The study conducted by Farahani, Cleland and Mehryar (2011) found that there were

college students who did not engage in premarital sex since they wanted to have a better

opportunities for marriage. They added that liberal views of the families with higher incomes and

higher level of education suggest that these people are linked with opposite sex but not sex.

Furthermore, they demonstrated that young women with more affluent parents who have better

education as well is thought to have liberal peers a reason which relates liberal attitude.
 Living with single parents in some cases resulted to a “distorted family relationships and

family dysfunction”. Lesser degree of supervision to children is present. “Poor communication

and a less positive family atmosphere” are found by some studies to be ground for the

adolescents to engage premarital sex. The values in the family that the children observed are

carried by them. It is anticipated that the liberal parents will have children of liberal minds and

ready to associate with men before marriage. In some culture sex is to be done after marriage

and when it is done before marriage then this person is considered a deviant (Farahani, Cleland

& Mehryar, 2011).

Mehmet (2006) stressed that, “mother’s education, age and employment status” are some

of the reasons that induce the women to engage in sexual activity before marriage (as cited in

Naijanewsreel, 2011). The young women in the family who seeks to have good future but

belongs to a poor family turn to engage into a relationship with older men to pay their schools

fees and provide their other needs (Meekers & Calve, 1997; Luke, 2001; as cited in

Naijanewsreel, 2011). This signifies that the economic situation of the family contributes why

young women engage in premarital sex. The factors such as family background, peer pressure,

media influence, economic situations and educational background of parents are found to be the

reasons why premarital sex is high among adolescents and youth (Akinleye and Onifade, 1996 as

cited in Naijanewsreel 2011). Chun Yi, et al., (2012) suspected that the gender differences in

the engagement of premarital sex is related to parenting and the family’s SES. They found

that family with lower SES background tends to perform less parental control. On the other

hand, the religion and culture of the country restrict premarital sex at different degree. The study
of Adhikari and Tamang (2009) showed that “substantial proportions of students who are

practicing different religion indulge in sexual activities as well as risky sexual behavior”.

Viewing of pornographic films/videos is one of the items utilized in this study to

determine the perception of the respondents on what could be the reason why adolescents engage

in premarital sex. According to Milton (1998) “pornography is broadly defined as any sexually

explicit material primarily developed or produced to arouse sexual interest or provide erotic

pleasure”. The study of Wong, Kum-Wah Chan, Koh, Tan, Lim, Emmanuel, and Bishop (2012)

suggests that pornography is the strongest factor that tempt the male youth to premarital sex;

hence, parents should have an open conversation with their young children to help them

develop more-critical attitude toward pornography. On the contrary, Langevin (1999) illustrated

a different version when he stressed that the purchase and use of erotic magazines and videos

and attendance at erotic movies are not a relevant factor in that a person will commit sex

offenses.

Wong, et al., (2012) advance that among male adolescents one of the significant

factors that is associated to sexual intercourse is lack of confidence to resist peer pressure to

engage in sex, and also the perception that one half or more of their friends have already engage

in premarital sex. Allen (2003) mentioned that a consensus indicates that peer pressure is a

significant predictor of sexual activity (UNICEF, 2001; Leonard 2005 as cited in

Naijanewsreel, 2011). To boost the self-confidence of the children, parents need to support

them, assert the beauty of life to ensure their feelings and heighten their morale. It is important

that parents lead the direction of the lives of their children so that they will not long for others’

company and submit themselves to peers. They might be turning to friends who are doing

wrong activities like smoking, vandalism, drinking, sex, cheating, and sneaking out at night.
Though issues about drugs and sex are serious matters; however, the family must discuss them

in the open and honest ways inorder that the teenagers will not seek information from his friends

which might not be true and correct (Peer Pressure, 2008). Moreover, Adhikari and Tamang

(2009) noted in their study that those respondents who have unmarried close friends with

premarital sex experiences are more sexually active that their counterpart. They added that

conservative males are mindful about male virginity and as such they are not likely to engage

premarital sex. Chun Yi, et al., (2012) indicate in the results of their study that “liberal

premarital sexual attitudes are also significantly associated with premarital sexual activity”.

Wong, et al., (2012) said that involvement in gang activities should be identified early. Since this

could be a reason that adolescents will get involve in premarital sex.

Chun Yi, Ksobiech and Chiao (2012) found that alcohol use among college students could

be influenced by the peers. Drinking of alcoholic beverages more frequently and the use of

drugs are more likely to do sex before marriage (Gorne, 2006). Brown et al., 1980; George and

Norris, 1991; Presley et al., 1997 said that “men anticipate feeling more powerful, sexual and

aggressive after drinking alcohol “(as cited in Abbey (2002). Cooper (2002) supported and

articulated that drinking was strongly related to the decision to have sex. Chun Yi, et al., (2012)

expressed that among males the use of alcoholic beverages is significantly associated with

premarital sex but not for women.

Allen (2003) assumed that “drugs could induce sexual desire and alcohol use have been

identified as factors which may encourage unintended sexual activities” (UNICEF, 2001;

Leonard 2005; as cited in Naijanewsreel (2011). The study of Wong, et al., (2010) supported the

findings of Allen, (2003) as cited in Naijanewsreel (2011) when they explain that their girl
respondents manifested that when they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs they engage

in sexual activity. Hindin and Hindin ( 2009) suggest that for male adolescents, abuse of

substances, such as drugs, alcohol and tobacco; access to pornographic films and other X-rated

materials; having peers who are sexually active; family instability are factors which induce

them to engage sexual activities.

Furthermore, the study of Wong, et al., (2012) clearly illustrated that living condition of

the respondents in low-cost or poor housing is a significant factor that the male adolescents

engage sexual intercourse. In addition, they define history of sexual abuse as a sexual contact

with a person that one of the parties did not want to. This occurs before the first voluntary sex

(Wong, et al., 2012). This could then be considered as the previous sexual abuse experience of

the person. The young females who have history to sexual abuse are mostly likely the ones to

engage sex before marriage.

Moreover, Wong, Kum-Wah Chan, Koh, Tan, Lim, Emmanuel, and Bishop (2012)

defined a school dropout as one who is “having dropped out before completing secondary

school (equivalent to 10 years of schooling)”. Wong, et al. (2012) stressed that to develop the

life skills of the adolescents and teach them sex education in proper and appropriate are

relevant tools to employ towards the deterrent of sexual abuse , smoking, drinking, and

gang activities. Mensch and Lloyd (1999) believed that there are factors that cut short the

education of adolescent girls. One of these factors is teenage pregnancy which may lead to drop

out (as cited in Naijanewsreel, 2011). Premarital sex leads to pregnancy. Early pregnancy may

brings harmful effects and damage to adolescents schooling. Above all untimely dropping

out of school is the common results. Child bearing does not only limits schooling but also

training and work opportunities. In addition, Wong ( 2010) exemplify that those male and
females who had stop their studies, alcohol drinkers, and lived in a low cost house were more

likely to engage in premarital sex.

Conceptual Framework

The schematic diagram below illustrates the variables utilized in this study.

Independent Variables Dependent Variables

Factors which may lead to PMS

 viewing of pornographic
Respondents’ Personal films/videos
Information  Lacking of confidence to resist
peer pressure or influence
 Gender by friends
 Sensitivity that their friends
 Religious affiliation
had engaged in sex
 Open-mindedness regarding
premarital sex
 Involvement in gang activities

 Drinking of alcoholic beverages

 Smoking of prohibited drugs

 Living in low-cost housing

or poor housing condition
Suggested Activity  Previous sexual abuse experience

 Dropping out of school or

no longer studying

The Problem to be addressed

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that are associated most towards

the engagement of premarital sexual intercourse as perceived by the participants. Specifically,

the problems comprised the following:

1. What is the profile of the participants in terms of :

 1.1. Gender

1.2 Religion

2. As perceived by the participants, among the ten (10) factors ( mentioned in the instrument

section ), what are the most compelling factors that lead the adolescents to engage in

premarital sex?

3. Based on the results of the study what activity could be suggested to do in order to help

the adolescents understand more better the value of not taking into consideration the factors

which may lead to premarital sex?

Significance of the Study

In the present days where the influence of social media is everywhere understanding

about the factors which may be associated with premarital sexual intercourse is necessary

especially to the adolescents. Teenage pregnancy and unwanted babies are the possible

consequence of premarital sex. The findings of this study may serve significant role to the:

Students. This will help them identify what are the factors to avoid which may be related to

premarital sex. Avoidance of doing those that will introduce harm to their plans will provide

them better and brighter future. Parents. Through this study they will be guided on what to do

to help their children to be kept away from engaging premarital sex. Faculty Members. In the

discussion of serious issue such as premarital sex, the employment of appropriate approach

requires extraordinary prudence and therefore they will be able to become more conscious on

what approach to be administered to the students so that they would have a better realization on

the factors of premarital sex. Administrators of Schools. They would become familiar on the

students’ viewpoint on the factors of premarital sex as perceived by the participants. From that
point activities or programs can be formulated and suitable actions can be made to meet and

help the students to become more responsible to their actions and to their studies. Society. The

general public where the participants belong will be strengthened; furthermore, unwanted

pregnancies can be reduced if not eliminated. Other Researchers. This research paper may

enlighten them to conduct further study on topics related to this piece.

METHOD

This study was conducted in one of the universities in Mindanao. The random sampling

technique was adopted since this is considered as more appropriate way to ensure the selection of

sample from the population. Checklist opinion form was used to obtain information from the

respondents of the study. The participants of this study are the male and female adolescents

who are enrolled in the subject university for the school year 2013-2014.

Research Instrument Used

The instrument utilized in this study is a checklist opinion form. This is the main tool

employed to gather the data. The instrument consists of two parts. The 1st part is the personal

profile of the participants which includes their gender and religion. While the 2nd part

contained the ten items in which the participants are asked to identify which among the ten

items may possibly induce the adolescents to engage in premarital sex. These items are adapted

from the study of Wong, et al., (2012) as follows: pornography viewing; lack of confidence to

resist peer pressure or influence by friends ; sensitivity that their friends had engaged in sex ;

open-mindedness regarding premarital sex ; involvement in gang activities ; drinking of

alcoholic beverages ; smoking of prohibited drugs ; living in low-cost housing or poor

housing condition; previous sexual abuse experience ; and dropping out of school or no

longer studying.

Statistical Treatment of Data

For discussion purposes of this study, frequency and percentile distribution were utilized

to interpret participants’ personal information and their perceptions on what are the factors that

may induce the adolescents to engage in premarital sex are also treated statistically.

Data Gathering Procedure

The data are collected by the use of a checklist opinion form. Permission was asked from

the participants themselves. They were not compelled to answer the questionnaire if the opted

not to participate in the opinion survey.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This part presents the outcome of this investigative work in relation to the problems to be

addressed as mentioned in the preceding sections.

Profile of the Respondents

The table below reveals the total number (313) of the participants in this study. As

regards to gender, females are of greater in number (182) than the male (131) participants.

Table 1. Frequency Distribution on the Profile of the Respondents

F %
Gender
Male 131 .42
Female 182 .58
Total 313 100
RELIGION
Catholic 167 .53
Non-Catholic 146 .47
Total 313 100
 Furthermore, the table above demonstrated that majority (53%) of the participants

belong to the Catholic religion. The location of the school where the survey was conducted is a

city where it is believed that there are more non-Catholic; however, the results of this study

showed that there are still many people in this city that embrace the Catholic faith.

Factors that Induce Premarital Sex

The Table 2 below presents the different factors which may induce the adolescents to

engage in premarital sex. The participants of this study clearly identify the factors that are

common to their perception as the reasons that may induce the adolescents to get involve in

premarital sex. The results being highlighted on the table are the highest rate in each qualitative

scale as disclosed by the participants. They are considered as the significant point of discussion

in this segment.

Table 2. Frequency Distribution on the Factors that Lead to Premarital Sex

*Factors Never Sometimes Frequently Always

F % F % F % F %
1. viewing of pornographic films/videos 129 .41 111 .35 33 .11 40 .13
2. Lacking of confidence to resist peer pressure 75 .24 173 .55 50 .16 15 .05
or influence by friends
3. Sensitivity that their friends had engaged in sex 102 .33 128 .41 60 .19 23 .07
4. Open-mindedness regarding premarital sex 48 .15 125 .40 76 .24 64 .21
5. Involvement in gang activities 198 .63 33 .11 44 .14 38 .12
6. Drinking of alcoholic beverages 140 .45 80 .26 51 .16 42 .13
7. Smoking of prohibited drugs 215 .68 30 .10 38 .12 30 .10
8. Living in low-cost housing or poor housing 172 .56 73 .23 43 .14 23 .07
condition
9. Previous sexual abuse experience 234 .75 38 .12 30 .10 11 .03
10. Dropping out of school or no longer studying 239 .76 32 .11 30 .10 12 .03
*Factor - indicators are adapted from the study of Wong, M. et al., (2012).

It can be gleaned that five of the factors such as involvement in gang activities, smoking

of prohibited drugs, living in low-cost housing or poor housing condition, previous sexual abuse
experience, and dropping out of school or no longer studying gathered the greater rate for the

respond of never. More than majority of the respondents revealed that these five are not at all

the reasons that would induce the adolescents to engage in premarital sex.

The manifestation presented by the participants of the present study does not absolutely

agree on the findings of Wong, et al., ( 2012) which pointed that involvement in gang activities

could be a reason that adolescents will get involve in premarital sex. Likewise with the

findings of Gorne ( 2006); Wong, et al., ( 2010); Allen ( 2003 ) as cited in Naijanewsreel ,(

2011); Hindin and Hindin ( 2009) which suggest that adolescents who drink alcoholic

beverages more frequently or under the influence of drugs are more likely to do sex before

marriage. Furthermore, based on the perception of the participants, it shows that it does not

affirm the findings of Wong, et al., (2012), when they advocate that the living condition of

the respondents in low-cost or poor housing is a significant factor that adolescents will

engage in sexual intercourse.

Moreover, more than majority of the participants said that lack of confidence to resist

peer pressure or influence by friends is sometimes a reason to engage premarital sex. This result

slightly agrees with Myers’ citation in her study in 1990 when she explained that experts point

out that the reasons for the increase in the rate of teenage pregnancy are the pressures in the

society.

In addition, aside from the visible respond by the few of the participants which

illustrate that open-mindedness regarding premarital sex is never a reason to engage premarital

sex, it is also noticeable from the qualitative scale of sometimes to always that this

reason is represented by the highest rate ( 21% ) on the line. This gives the researchers the idea
to conclude that open-mindedness regarding premarital sex is the most compelling reason for the

adolescents to engage premarital sex as perceived by the participants. This affirms the study of

Chun Yi, et al., (2012) whose results indicate that “liberal premarital sexual attitudes are also

significantly associated with premarital sexual activity”.

Findings

The researchers were able to establish in this study that open-mindedness of the
adolescents in the present days contributed most on their eagerness to engage in premarital
sexual intercourse. Moreover, all other factors utilized in this study have also its contribution that
will push the young people to engage in it.

Conclusion

A family having the difficult means of earning a living could not avoid to live in a low-
cost housing or having a poor housing condition. To some extent, at early age of adolescents a
number of them may have experience sexual abuse; however, at the perception by some of the
participants of this study it was not considered by them as the most vital factor to engage
premarital sex. On the other hand, in the present days, even if the adolescents has no
involvement in gang activities, do not drink alcoholic beverages, or do not take prohibited
drugs there is still a chance that these factors could push them to engage premarital sex and the
possibility of engaging it could be of high degree when the adolescents are dropping out
of school or no longer studying since the absence of teachers as the second parents of the
students could in one way or another help to instill in the minds of adolescents that to engage
premarital sex is at all times not favored in the society.

Recommendations

After analyzing the gathered data the researchers draw the following recommendations:

1. parents are the first person to restrict their children to access to pornographic movies
2. as much as possible, parents and healthcare personnel in the city need to talk openly
with youngsters about sexuality to develop a more critical attitude towards pornography
 3. parents and teachers need to counsel the young ones on the danger of pornographic
movies they are watching
4. community officials have to extend some interventions on life skills and sex education
5. teachers and parents have to do discussions to the youngsters on the risk of engaging
premarital sex and they need to curb teenage curiosity about sex
6. at the secondary school level the sex education curriculum material needs to be
improved by focusing on the social and emotional components and factual information
be given so that youngsters could relate on it.

REFERENCES

Abbey, A. (2002). Alcohol-Related sexual assault: A common problem among college

students. Journal of studies on alcohol /supplement No.14. 2002. Department of
CommunityMedicine, Wayne State University, 4201 St. Antoine, Detroit, Michigan
48201. Retrieved March 27, 2013 from http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.
gov/SupportingResearch/ Journal/ abbey.aspx

Adhikari, R., & Tamang, J. (2009). Premarital sexual behavior among male college students of
Kathmandu, Nepal. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-9-241. Retrieved March 27, 2013 from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2717085/

Caring for your teenagers. (2003). American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved April 3,2012
fromhttp://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/pages/Stages-of-
Adolescence.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token.

Chun Yi, C., Ksobiech, K., & Chiao, C. (2012). Exploring the relationship between premarital
sex and cigarette/alcohol use among college students in Taiwan: A cohort study.
Retrieved March 27, 2013 from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/527

Cooper, L. (2002). Alcohol use and risky sexual behavior among college students and youth:
Evaluating the evidence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol Supplement. Department of
Psychology, 210 McAlester Hall, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
65211 Retrieved March 27, 2013 from http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/
SupportingResearch/Journal/cooper.aspx

Farahani, F., John Cleland, J., & Mehryar, A. (2011). Associations between family factors
and premarital heterosexual relationships among female college students in Tehran.
International Perspective on Sexual and Reproductive Health Volume 37, Number 1,
 March 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2013 from http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/
journals/3703011.html

Ghuman, S., Huy, V. T., Lol, V. M., & Knodel, J. (2006). Continuity and change in
premarital sex in Vietnam. International Family Planning Perspectives. Vol. 32 Issue 4.
Retrieved September 8, 2012 from http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/23799452/
continuity-change-premarital-sex-vietnam. EBSCO Publishing.

Gorne, E. (2006). Teenage pregnancies and premarital sex alarming in Southern Leyte.
Retrieved July 15, 2010 from http://www.Samarnews.com/news2006/oct/f862.htm.

Hayward, M, Grady, W. & Billy, J. (1992).The influence of socioeconomic status on

adolescent pregnancy. Social Science Quarterly (University of Texas Press) Vol. 73
Issue 4, Academic Journal. EBSCO Publishing.retrieved July 1, 2012 from
http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/9301105201/influence-socioeconomic-status-
adolescent-pregnancy.

Hindin, J., & Hindin, M. (2009).Premarital romantic partnerships: Attitudes and sexual
experiences of youth in Delhi, India. International perspective on sexual and
reproductive health. Volume 35, Number 2, June 2009 http://www.guttmacher.org/
pubs/journals/3509709.html. DOI: 10.1363/3509709

Langevin, R. (1999). Pornography and sexual offenses. Annal Sex Res. 1988 1: 335- 362.
Retrieved March 27, 2013 from http://www.netspeed.com.au/ttguy/refs2.htm#lab

Leyson, J. F. (n.d). The Philippines. Retrieved September 8, 2012 from http://www2.hu-

berlin.de/sexology/IES/philippines.html#0

Milton, D. (1998). The effects of pornography: An international perspective. International

Journal of Law and Psychiatry. (Diamond and Uchiyama, 1999- 22(1):1-22.) [Ver.
6.8.1 Refs. /en]. Retrieved March 27, 2013 from http://www2.hu-berlin.de/
sexology/BIB/DIAM/effects_pornography.htm#effects

Myers, W. S.( 1990 ). Babies having babies. Women in business. Vol. 42 Issue 4.
Periodical. Retrieved July 1, 2012 from http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles
/9007230753/babies-having-babies

Naijanewsreel. (2011).Pre marital sex and school dropout. Retrieved June 10, 2013 from
http://justcreativedesign-fitnesstips.blogspot.com/2011/11/pre-marital-sex-and-school-
drop-out.html

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2005). Alcohol across the lifespan.
 National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Retrieved December 1, 2009, from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/ publications/
StrategicPlan/NIAAASTRATEGICPLAN.htm#CHAPTER_IV.

Ong, C. (2009). Teenage pregnancy on the rise in the Philippines. MediaCorp Pte Ltd. Retrieved
July 1, 2012 from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southeastasia/view/4306
35/1/.html

Ounjit, W. (2011). Becoming pregnant before marriage: The value of sex without forgiveness.
International Proceedings of Economics Development & Research. Vol. 5 Issue 1.
Academic Journal. Retrieved Spetember 9, 2012. From http://connection.ebscohost.
com/c/articles/74744702/becoming-pregnant-before-marriage-value-sex-without-
forgiveness

Peer pressure. (2008) AllPsychologyCareers.com. Retrieved March 27, 2013 from

http://www.allpsychologycareers.com/topics/peer-pressure.html

Premarital sex - A survey analysis. (1992).Retrieved November 28, 2011

http://people.stfx.ca/wjackson/questionnaires/1992/G7WJ92.html

Premarital sex high among Filipino youth. (2007).Mukamo Philippines. Retrieved September 9,
2012 from http://www.mukamo.com/premarital-sex-high-among-filipino-youth/

Wiltse, L. (2009).Teenage pregnancy in Manila, Philippines. Retrieved July 1, 2012 from

http://lab.colorsmagazine.com/teenagers/contributed/teenage-pregnancy-manila-
philippines

Wong, A. (2010). Porn, sexual abuse make teen sex. Retrieved March 30, 2013. From
http://www.asiaviews.org/index.php?option=com_ content&id= 9989: feature
salias323&Itemid=27

Wong, M., Kum-Wah Chan, R., Koh, D., Tan, H., Lim, F., Emmanuel, S., Bishop, G. (2012).
Premarital sexual intercourse among adolescents in an Asian country: Multilevel ecolo
gical factors. Retrieved July 1, 2012 from http://pediatrics.aappublications. org/content/
124/1/e44.abstract

A**A

View publication stats