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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2020
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
David Merolla
Abstract
Sexual intercourse is essential for human reproduction. Yet, to some, sexual intercourse outside of marriage can be a hypersensitive topic, or even believed to be an act only punishable by damnation. Religious dogma deeply rooted in historic texts in many sects of religions, not just Christianity, has led many to believe in the narrative that sex before marriage is frowned upon by their deity and therefore a punishable sin. While religious groups have attempted to increase abstinence rates, most have neglected to address the negative results that can come from refusing to properly educate youth about sexual health and human reproduction. To explore how religion affects feelings of sexual guilt, data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (ADD Health) was analyzed. The following research questions were answered: How do religion, fundamentalism, and religiosity influence sexual guilt for American youth? How do religion, fundamentalism, and religiosity influence the age at first vaginal intercourse for Americans?
Recommended Citation
Arens, Sydney Lauren, "Guilty Until Marriage: An Investigation Of The Negative Consequences Of Religion On Sexual Guilt For American Youth" (2020). Wayne State University Theses. 766.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses/766