Sex after 19 and Its Effects on Future Relationships - Essay Example

? Sex after 19 and its Effects on Future Relationships SEX AFTER 19 AND ITS EFFECTS ON FUTURE RELATIONSHIPS Introduction Individuals who have sex for the first time after the age of 19, which in this case is considered as late virginity, are more likely to have a more satisfying relationship. Research has found that individuals who delayed their first sexual experience until after they were twenty were more likely to enter into happy relationships and maintain them (Harden, 2012). However, it is also true that these individuals are more likely to remain unmarried. The same individuals were also more likely to attend a University in their academics and be employed in well-paying jobs. Most parents are worried about their children being initiated and involved into risky behavior; their children’s experiences with sexual relationships are of prime concern to them. If individuals report involvement in sex for the first time after turning 19, they are less likely to have romantic relationships later on, although they report less dissatisfaction in relationships if they do. This paper seeks to qualify this assertion. Late Virginity and Effects Future Relationships Previous research into this issue has suggested that there could be a reason for concern as to the timing of sexual development since it could portend significant consequences to the mental and physical health of individuals. Psychologist and scientist Paige Harden studied the long-term outcomes of first sex timing and the way it might affect adulthood romantic relationships (Harden, 2012). This investigation sought to investigate if the timing of one’s first sexual experience could predict romantic outcomes, such as whether the individual will get married or whether they will live with their eventual partners in adulthood. Using data national Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health data to investigate 1,659 sibling pairs of the same sex, she followed them from the age of 16 to 29. The siblings were classified as having late experience if they were over 19 when they had sex, on time id they were between 15 and 19, and early if they younger than 15 (Harden, 2012). Her study supported the relationship between “late” sexual initiations and decreased romantic relationships in later life, as well as less dissatisfaction for those who did have relationships. Late timing of one’s initial sexual experience is associated with attainment of higher education, as well as higher income in the household, in adulthood in comparison to the on time and early groups (Crockett et al, 2010). Those individuals who have later initiation to sex are less likely to find a marriage partner and have fewer partners in their adult life. For those individuals who are in a live-in relationship or are married, later initiation to sex can be linked to lower levels of dissatisfaction with their relationships in later life. It is possible that those individuals who have sex later are also imbued with characteristics, which portend later effects on relationship quality and sexual delay. It could also be that they are pickier when choosing sexual and romantic partners, which could result in their being reluctant to involve themselves in intimate relationships unless these relationships are satisfying (Crockett et al, 2010). People who experience their first sexual initiation later than 19 years of age go through different experiences to those who have earlier experiences. They avoid earlier than usual encounters with relational victimization or aggression that, otherwise, would have had detrimental outcomes on their later romantic relationships (Neemann et al, 2012). Those individuals who navigate their initial intimate encounters after attaining emotional and cognitive maturity could learn increased relationship skills than those who are initiated into intimate relationships while still teenagers. There are other reasons why later initiates are more satisfied in their relationships. Later initiation to sex allows them to focus on getting to know their partners more without the focus of their relationship revolving around sex (Raley et al, 2009). They also have the confidence that their partner is dating them for because of whom they are, rather than what they can get from the relationship. This builds trust between the two partners. Since they are pickier on their partners, they go into relationships without having to be fearful of being intimate with another person while not having to wonder if their partner really loves them or will break up with them. They can also focus on how to build their relationship instead of worrying about STDs or pregnancy as they are eager to hold on up to the moment they are ready (Rosenthal, 2009). Later initiation into sexual intimacy also enhances future relationships, especially if the two partners were both “late” in their first sexual experience. This is because they have built relationships on solid foundations with its basis on the things they have in common spiritually, socially, emotionally, and mentally, rather than being distracted by physical attraction (Raley et al, 2009). The other partner is also confident that their partner is committed to them since, if she/he has had the strength to avoid sexual contact for such a long time and been able to control themselves, she/he will be able to remain committed. The partner is also able to create a special bond that allows them to connect to their partner in the knowledge that sex means a lot to their partner. Finally, because the partner does not have sex often, they can focus on knowing each other better and, after marriage, having sexual satisfaction is not the ultimate. Most likely, their relationship will already be strong prior to having sex (Raley et al, 2009). Because of this, they are able to explore their sexual life together in a committed, trusting, and faithful relationship. Individuals who have sex at later than 19 years for the first time are also able to avoid painful consequences that could result from earlier sexual experiences, and thus, are able to achieve their dreams and goals (Crockett et al, 2010). This enables them to put extra focus on their relationships. Such consequences could be early pregnancy and STDs, which would curtail relationships in the future (Rosenthal, 2009). Finally, past sexual encounters, especially early in life, could significantly affect the bond that a person has with their partner in the future. Memories and visual pictures do not just disappear after the beginning of a serious relationship. In addition, neither does the wounds and hurt from earlier broken relationships. This could have a huge effect on future relationships, as could the re-emergence of one’s childhood partner when one is already in a serious relationship. References Crockett, Lisa. Vicary, Judith. Chopak, Joanne. & Bingham, Raymond. (2010). Timing of first sexual intercourse: The role of social control, social learning, and problem behavior. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 89-111. Harden, Paige. (2012). True Love Waits? A Sibling-Comparison Study of Age at First Sexual Intercourse and Romantic Relationships in Young Adulthood. Psychological Science, 1324-1336. Neemann, Jennifer. Hubbard, Jon. & Masten, Ann. (2012). The changing importance of romantic relationship involvement to competence from late childhood to late adolescence. Development and Psychopathology, 727-750. Raley, Kelly. Crissey, Sarah. & Muller, Chandra. (2009). Of Sex and Romance: Late Adolescent Relationships and Young Adult Union Formation. Journal of Marriage and Family, 1210–1226. Rosenthal, Susan. Von Ranson, Kristin. & Cotton, Sian. (2011). Sexual Initiation: Predictors and Developmental Trends. Journal of the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association, 527-532. Read More