SEXUAL CODES IN TEEN-AGE CULTURE
In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 338, S. 53-62
ISSN: 0002-7162
Res evidence on sexual codes seems at odds with the popular view that teen-agers have a type of youth culture which, in its irresponsibility, extremism, &defiance, is in sharp conflict with the adult culture. The venereal disease rates, unwed motherhood rates, & studies of teen-age alt's give evidence of a more conservative behavior pattern than exists for older couples. The most popular teen-age sexual codes are the double standard for boys & a petting-with-affection code for girls. Another minor code, strongest among older teenagers, is permissiveness-with-affection, which allows coitus if there is a stable affectionate relation present. The custom of going steady is closely related to these codes, because our culture looks more favorably upon sexual behavior when it occurs in such a stable, affectionate context. Finally, it should be noted that there are sharp class diff's in sexual codes, & other factors such as educ, religion, & ethnic group membership also affect teen-age sexual act's. AA.