Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

HOW TO REVIEW THE LITERATURE AND CONDUCT ETHICAL STUDIES

FIGURE 2 Example of Notes on an Article

FULL CITATION ON BIBLIOGRAPHY (SOURCE FILE)

Bearman, Peter, and Hannah Bückner. 2001. “Promising the Future: Virginity Pledges

and First Intercourse.” American Journal of Sociology106:859–912. (January, issue

no. 4).

NOTE CARD (CONTENT FILE)

Bearman and Bückner 2001 Topics: Teen pregnancy & sexuality,

pledges/promises, virginity, first sexual

intercourse, S. Baptists, identity movement

Since 1993, the Southern Baptist Church sponsored a movement among teens

whereby the teens make a public pledge to remain virgins until marriage. Over

2.5 million teens have made the pledge. This study examines whether the pledge

affected the timing of sexual intercourse and whether pledging teens differ from

nonpledging teens. Critics of the movement are uncomfortable with it because

pledge supporters often reject sex education, hold an overly romanticized view of

marriage, and adhere to traditional gender roles.

Hypothesis

Adolescents will engage in behavior that adults enjoy but that is forbidden to them

based on the amount of social controls that constrain opportunities to engage in

forbidden behavior. Teens in nontraditional families with greater freedom and less

supervision are more likely to engage in forbidden behavior (sex). Teens in tradi-

tional families and who are closer to their parents will delay sexual activity. Teens

closely tied to “identity movements” outside the family will modify behavior based

on norms the movements teach.

Method

Data are from a national health survey of U.S. teens in grades 7–12 who were in

public or private schools in 1994–1995. A total of 90,000 students in 141 schools

completed questionnaires. A second questionnaire was completed by 20,000 of the

90,000 students. The questionnaire asked about a pledge, importance of religion,

and sexual activity.

Findings

The study found a substantial delay in the timing of first intercourse among

pledgers, yet the effect of pledging varies according to the age of the teen. In addi-

tion, pledging works only in some social contexts (i.e., where it is at least partially

a social norm). Pledgers tend to be more religious, less developed physically, and

from more traditional social and family backgrounds.