Posted on 05/20/2005 10:16:12 PM PDT by Utah Girl
Teens who remain virgins throughout high school may think they're missing out on some of the fun, but the reality is their sexually active peers are the ones missing out.
The study: A new study from the Christian group Focus on the Family analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth that was conducted in waves from 1979 to 2000 with 3,750 men and 3,620 women. It controlled for ethnicity and previous educational or economic disadvantage. About half the students were virgins at 18 and half were not. Students were surveyed at age 18 and again at age 38.
The results: When the two groups were evaluated 20 years after their high school graduation, the data showed that both the male and female high school students who remained virgins at least until age 18 enjoyed huge advantages as adults, compared to those who had had sex in high school:
1. They completed an average of one year more of higher education."It is very much as we suspected--that adolescent virginity has a significant impact on well-being in middle adulthood," said lead study author Reginald Finger, M.D. "We found, as well, that these better outcomes were not merely the result of avoiding teenage pregnancy or fatherhood. The outcomes are inherent to remaining abstinent. In addition, we found that female virgins were more likely than their non-virgin counterparts to have a positive financial net worth and were almost half as likely as non-virgins to use welfare benefits."
2. Their incomes were 20 percent higher.
3. They had about half the risk of divorce.
The research findings were published in the journal Adolescent and Family Health.
"It is very much as we suspected--that adolescent virginity has a significant impact on well-being in middle adulthood," said lead study author Reginald Finger, M.D.
This study reminds me of an early anti-marijuana study. It found that most pot smoking teenagers had acne, therefore pot causes acne. Trying to equate a statistical correlation with causation.
Yeah but they're all older than I like 'em now ;)
Hey hey hey....wait a minute here... ;OP
From a Christian perspective, this reinforces our conviction that what God wants for us is what is really good for us in the long run. I wonder if those who think of this sort of thing as a giggling matter really want what is good for their own children.
What a silly article.
Is it suppose to make people who didnt get laid before 18 feel better?
As one those unfortunate souls, it's not working. :(
I probably make 20% less than most my age.
Havent been divorced. Not married either though.
I suppose I do have 1 year more higher ed than somebody who got laid. I wouldve traded the year for more tail though. ;-)
Oh yeah...you can come along too.
ALL first time wives are virgins. All first time husbands are liars. Time sorts out which is which.
Yes, because people who are smarter respect themselves.
You are not an unfortunate soul, my FRiend.
I waited until I was financially independent before considering sex, and this was after several years in a relationship. I was raised to believe I should be a virgin on my wedding day.
After getting engaged, I figured I had to green light to proceed. Well, the relationship didn't pan out, I didn't marry the guy, and I kicked myself for compromising my promised to myself and to God.
I renewed my dedication to remain chaste until marriage, and met a fabulous man who respected that decision. I have been blessed with 12 wonderful years of marriage, two great kids, and a husband I love to distraction.
Focus on building up you, on finding happiness with yourself, and happiness WILL find you.
Yeah but I'm not talking about them.
As a man, we promise..
To love you forever.
To respect you after.
To always be there when you need us.
To never look at another woman.
To take care of you if something "happens".
To always be faithful to you and no one else.
Translation... 4F
FIND THEM, FOOL THEM, F***K THEM, AND FORGET THEM.
and walk away with a grin.
Thank you, PLAYBOY for promoting that philosiphy.
From what I've seen in the world there's no such thing as too ugly for sex. There always seems to be somebody out there willing to give it a shot with them as long as their willing to look for a "partner". The single ugliest person I ever met in my life barring physical deformity was a former prostitute, she eventually married a guy that looked a lot like Van Damme in his prime only with better muscle definition, she's the one that convinced me once and for all that there's no such thing as too ugly for sex, too ugly for sex with me sure, but too ugly for sex in general apparently not.
I wish I waited (waited till I was errr... of a certain older age) till marriage. Sex is overrated and wasted on male trolls.
Spoken truly like someone who didn't wait! Hubby and I were both 19 year old virgins when we got married, and believe me, even after 24 years, sex is NOT over-rated, and defintely NOT wasted! :-)
You misunderstand me and my circumstance. I should have known better than to say that on FR.
Obviously not, if this is your idea of (A) appropriate (B) humor.
Dan
I agree with you.
No, if I'm reading you right, you may just provide an example that when one unintentionally does the right thing, and for the wrong reason, one needn't assume that all the benefits accrue.
Dan
I love these studies that point out the obvious.
Maybe instead of teaching adolescent virginity as a way to be more successful, we should encourage girls (and boys) to excel in school in order to increase chastity among teens.
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