Asia-Pacific E-Journal of Health Social Science https://sites.google.com/site/asiapacificejournalofhss/.
June 2012. Volume 1, Number 1. All rights reserved. ISSN 2244-0240
Research Brief
Maternal Factors on the Premarital Sexual
Experience of Adolescent Children
Natdem Travail P. Macias
Master of Health Social Science, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines, natdem_macias@dlsu.edu.ph
Teenage pregnancy refers to teenage girls, usually within the ages
13-19, becoming pregnant (UNICEF, 2008); in other words, girls
conceiving before reaching legal age or adulthood. According to the
United Nations, half (49%) of the girls in the least developed
countries marry before turning 18. Moreover, between 10% and
40% of the young unmarried girls throughout the world have had
unintended pregnancies, due to the fact that most of them are
sexually active before the age of 20. Globally, some 14 million
children are born to these young married and unmarried women
each year (UNICEF, 2008).
Worldwide, 11% of births occur among young women aged 15-
19. Almost all (95%) of these births are found in low and middle-
income countries. Teenage pregnancies account for 23% of the
overall burden of disease resulting from pregnancies and childbirths
(WHO, 2008). Moreover, increasing teenage pregnancies contribute
to increases in maternal and child mortality and morbidity rates
(WHO, 2008; UNICEF, 2008). Pregnant teenage girls are less likely
to receive prenatal care, thereby heightening the global incidence of
premature births and low birth weights. Also, pregnancy
complications tend to be more common among younger than older
mothers. Pregnancy complications are the leading causes of deaths
among mothers younger than 20. Importantly, births to unmarried
adolescent mothers are likely to be unintended and to end in
induced abortions (WHO, 2008).
There are many causes of teenage pregnancies. As
enumerated by UNICEF (2008), these are customs and traditions
that lead to early marriage; adolescent sexual behaviour, which may
be corroded by alcohol intake and drug use; lack of education and
information on sexual and reproductive health, including lack of
access to tools that prevent pregnancies; peer pressure to engage
in sexual activity; incorrect use of contraception, sexual abuse that
leads to rape; poverty; exposure to abuse; violence and family strife
at home; low self-esteem; and low level of educational ambitions
and goals.
Teenage pregnancies are naturally linked to premarital sexual
behavior. According to the national data on Filipino adolescents
(15-24) sexuality, about 31% of males and 16% of females have
had premarital sex (University of the Philippines Population Institute
& Demographic Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (n.d.).
Interventions are seeking ways, therefore, to help delay or postpone
premarital sex among adolescents in order to reduce teenage
pregnancies. One of the suggestions is to establish a supportive
familial environment in which parents can perform certain roles and
influence adolescent sexual activity (Upadhay & Hindin, 2007).
Towards identifying the prospective involvement of parents, it is
important to first understand the ways in which parents, specifically
mothers, influence the premarital sexual experience of their
adolescent children.
In the study of Donovan (1995), maternal age and the degree of
maternal opposition to premarital sex were found to be most
strongly related to the sexual experience of teenagers.
Respondents whose mothers have a more conservative attitude are
less sexually experienced, while those adolescents who believe that
their mothers have premarital intercourse experience, and those
who fail to follow their family rules, have more sexual experience. In
addition, mother's attitudes about sex, compliance with family rules,
and mother's attitude that her child should postpone sexual
intercourse until marriage are the family variables that are
significantly associated with adolescent childs age at first sex.
The studies of Thornton & Camburn (1987) and of Upadhay &
Hindin (2007) discussed a variety of maternal influences on
adolescent sexual behaviour. Thornton and Camburn (1987)
highlighted the role of mothers profile and status. In particular, they
said that mothers who are fundamentalist Protestants have more
traditional attitudes regarding premarital sex than others. In turn,
these maternal attitudes influence children to delay first sex.
Furthermore, mothers with premarital pregnancy affect the attitudes,
perceptions and sexual behavior of their children. Children whose
mothers are pregnant at marriage are more approving of premarital
sex. These children also perceive that their parents are more
approving of their premarital sexual act; and as a result, they are
more inclined to be sexually active (however, this finding is more
evident for daughters than for sons). Additionally, children whose
mothers have remarried following divorce perceive that their
mothers are accepting of premarital sex; and as a consequence,
their perception tends to influence their early sexual experience.
Despite the fact that highly educated mothers are noted to
possess more liberal sexual attitudes and are perceived as more
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 Asia-Pacific E-Journal of Health Social Science: Maternal Factors on the Premarital Sexual Experience of Adolescent Children

accepting of their childrens premarital sex experiences than their

less educated counterparts, the educational attainment of mothers
has been reported to be related to adolescent sexual behaviour: it ANNOUNCEMENT
helps delay the first premarital sexual experience of children
(Thornton & Camburn, 1987; Upadhay & Hindin, 2007). MASTER OF HEALTH SOCIAL SCIENCE
Surprisingly, paternal education has no influence on adolescent
sexual behavior. The De La Salle University offers a 14-month program, the Master
of Health Social Science (MAHESOS). The program is designed
The longitudinal study of Upadhay & Hindin (2007) significantly for those with at least a bachelors degree in the social sciences,
showed the important influence of the mothers status and the natural sciences or health-related disciplines who need the
parents marital relationship on the sexual behavior of children. For theoretical bases of and the specialized skills in the social science
instance, male children whose parents have a joint decision making aspects of research; and program design, management and
may delay first sex. Poor marital relationship marked by father-to- evaluation as applied to community and culture-based health
mother violence influences daughters to engage in first sex at an issues.
early age. Mothers status may influence a daughters choice to
delay her first coitus, but said status, including the marital The program seeks to:
relationship of mothers, is not significantly associated with the first
sexual experience of sons. a) Impart to students a holistic understanding of the cultural and
social dimensions of health research and program design,
Although there is a strong social disapproval of premarital sex in implementation and evaluation that will enable them to
the Philippines, it is surprising to know that many local adolescents conceptualize, design, execute, and assess relevant health
have had premarital sexual experience. Having restricted access to programs; and
school-based sexuality education and facility-based sexual and
reproductive health care services is certainly contributing to young b) Instill in students the sensitivity to gender issues as they
peoples sexual activity. Unwanted pregnancies and the risk of develop their understanding of and skills in the foregoing
complications arising from early pregnancies and childbirths among
areas.
Filipino adolescents are expected to prevail and worsen.
Interventions can tap parents, especially mothers, as partners.
The program starts in late May of the current school year and ends
in July of the following year.
Various studies (e.g., Lee, 1998) have singled out parents as
adolescents preferred source of information for sexuality matters.
To qualify for admission, the applicant must have:
The evidence offered in this report may help prospective
interventions in crafting strategies to involve parents, particularly
1. At least a bachelor's degree in any social science, natural
mothers, towards effecting the desired changes in youth sexual
science or health-related discipline;
behavior.
2. At least two years of work experience preferably in the social
REFERENCES
sciences and health-related areas;
Donovan, P. (1995). Mother's attitudes toward adolescent sex,
familys dating rules influence teenagers' sexual behavior. 3. A grade point average of B or its equivalent;
Family Planning Perspectives, 27(4), 177-178. Retrieved
from http://www.jstor.org/stable/2136265. 4. Acceptable scores in admission tests; and
Lee, R.B. (1998). Sexual behaviour of campus-based adolescents.
Manila: Foundation for Adolescent Development. 5. Passed the interview.
Thornton, A., & Camburn, D. (1987). The influence of the family on
premarital sexual attitudes and behavior. Demography, 24(3),
323-340. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/2061301.
Successful applicants are provided a full scholarship covering full
UNICEF. (2004). Unicef supports HIV/AIDS prevention among tuition support; sets of return air, bus or boat fares; a monthly
children, young people. Retrieved from stipend and book allowance; and thesis support.
http://www.unicef.org/philippines/archives/news/041105.html.
UNICEF. (2008). Young people and family planning: Teenage After completing their degrees, students must return to their place
pregnancy. Retrieved from of origin to help in its development.
http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/Teenage_Pregnancies_-
_Overview.pdf. For inquiries, contact:
Univerity of the Philippines Population Institute & Demographic
Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (n.d.). The
Filipino youth: 2002 young adult fertility and sexuality study Graduate Program Coordinator
(YAFS) datasheet. Retrieved from http://www.drdf- Behavioral Sciences Department
uppi.net/DownloadsD/filipino datasheet.pdf. De La Salle University
Upadhyay, U., & Hindin, M. (2007). The influence of parents' marital 2401 Taft Avenue, 1004 Manila, Philippines
relationship and women's status on children's age at first sex Tel: +632-524-4611 local 550 or 347
in Cebu, Philippines. Studies in Family Planning, 38(3), 173- romeo.lee@dlsu.edu.ph
186. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/20454407.
WHO. (2008). Adolescent pregnancy. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/making_pregnancy_safer/documents/mps
nnotes_2_lr.pdf.