An Examination of the Sexual Behavior of Middle-Class African American Female College Freshmen

Much of the research on African American adolescent sexual decision making has focused on teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases among poor or urban residents. Few studies consider the sexual profiles of middle-class African American female college freshmen from diverse locales. This study uses bivariate and logistic regression analyses to examine sexual behavior among ninety-one African American female freshmen attending college in the eastern and midwestern areas of the United States. Findings include detailed profiles of sexual behavior for this understudied population. Modeling results show that, although maternal sexual socialization does not influence whether respondents are virgins, sexually permissive views and practices such as heavy petting affect whether respondents are virgins. However, involvement in romantic relationships is the strongest predictor of sexual intercourse.