A summary on a study of the sexual behavior of church-active youth.

OVERVIEW

A central Illinois Methodist minister researched the sexual behavior of church-active youth in the Midwest. The study includes youth opinions on dating, marriage, homosexuality, and sources of sexual information for teens. The study probes implications of poor communicational sexual values to youth and suggests methods of better communication.

PURPOSE

This research responded to previous studies which revealed a surprisingly high level of sexual activity among U.S. high school students. Of particular interest was the 1980 study of Aaron Hass; it reported that 56% of males and 44% of females had experienced sexual intercourse before high school graduation. Clapp believed that a secular study of a sample taken largely from California and New York would not reflect the behavior of church-active youth in the Midwest. Thus, he produced his own study.

DESIGN

Clapp used camp and retreat settings to survey church-active youth. He distributed 988 surveys, receiving 511 responses representing 48 church congregations. He reports that 8l of his respondents were United Methodists.

RESULTS

Clapp’s research produced the following matrix of teen sexual behavior:

Clapp’s findings indicate high levels of reported sexual behavior for church-active youth. Their sexual behavior is not significantly different from the general teen population as studied by Aaron Hass.

SUMMARY

As the sexual behavior of church youth appears to mirror that of most adolescents, the results suggest that the church may be poorly communicating the sexual ideals of the gospel to young people. Clapp also notes the roles of the media and age discrepancy in dating as key factors in current behaviorial trends.

IMPLICATIONS

Considering the importance of sexuality to teens, the church’s apparent irrelevance to youth on this subject may indicate a rejection of the faith on other issues. Clapp recommends sweeping communication changes. He encourages churches to present a threefold approach regarding sexual behavior: teach the positive, biblical view of sex; show the interrelatedness of physical and spiritual lives; and train students in a decision-making ethic that focuses on people instead of rules. Concurrently, educate parents with the same approach.