The Age You Lose Your Virginity Might Be Determined By Your Genes
Posted by: Catherine Strawn
Filed in:
sex
11:20AM, Monday September 21st 2009
Girls who grew up without fathers at home tend to be early bloomers in the sex department compared with those whose fathers lived with them. Researchers have been trying to figure out the reason for this for years. Is it because there’s no watchful eye looking over them and keeping them in line? Is it a natural response that happens even in the animal world (that when a strange male, i.e., a stepfather or stepbrother, is around, girls grow up more quickly)?
Now, new analysis of data from the American National Longitudinal Survey of Youth offers another suggestion. Jane Mendle of the University of Oregon looked at NLSY surveys, which asked mothers a variety of questions, including whether the father of their children lived with them. The children of these women were asked questions starting at age 14, and, among other things, they were asked whether they’d engaged in sexual intercourse yet. Mendle and her colleagues compared cousins’ ages of first sexual intercourse—some of whom had their father living in their home and others who did not—to see whether early sexual activity could be genetic.
Mendle and her colleagues found that closely related cousins (those whose mothers were identical twins) were closer in age at first sexual experience than others. This was true of both the girls and boys surveyed, regardless of whether or not the father had been, leading the researchers to believe that there might be a gene influencing both when a child has intercourse for the first time and the likelihood that they would grow up without their father living at home. Another possibility is that people who are genetically disposed to have sex earlier might get pregnant at a younger age with a partner they didn’t intend to settle down with, resulting in the father leaving the home. Whatever the reason, it’s fascinating to think that the age at which we first had sex could be a result of our genes. [The Economist]
TheFrisky.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network
lea322
wrote on September 21 2009 @ 10:32 am: [report]
Or maybe close cousins were raised similarly, and therefore chose similar paths in life?
And is it possible that girls growing up in a home without a father are looking for male approval, which in relationships may lead to sex at an earlier age?
I feel like this is much more a case of nurture than nature, but hey, I’m no scientist.
writergirl
wrote on September 21 2009 @ 11:08 am: [report]
I agree with Lea—it sounds more like a nature versus nurture question.
If the mother’s were identical twins they were raised exactly the same. This can’t be said for siblings, even those close in age. Parents tend to change things with each child because “this didn’t work with child A, so we’ll try that.” Chances are, twins are treated exactly the same and recieve the same morality lectures at the exact same time. Or not recieve them. With siblings, I would bet that all tends to vary, or, very possibly parents also assume, I told “A” therefor “B” had to be listening which may not be the case, so therefore “B” never gets the lecture.
retro chic
wrote on September 21 2009 @ 11:31 am: [report]
Is it ever one vs the other? I think it’s both: Nature & Nurture. For instance, we inherit our mother’s reproductive profile, generally. It stands to reason that in addition to similarly repeating environmental factors, hormones kick off the patterns of “sexual” readiness (not nec emotional).
Specifically for me… My first period came on the EXACT day in my mother’s life at the same age – exactly. Hers and my first sexual experience were within 3 months of each other respective to our ages. Coincidence? Maybe. But I *never* subscribe to either/or theories for studying or drawing conclusions on complex human behavior – esp where hormones are involved.
draymond
wrote on September 21 2009 @ 12:43 pm: [report]
I can definitly agree that children who grow up without a father in the homw are more likely to be looking to replace the father figure in their lives, either through another (girls) or becoming it themselves (boys).
But as for the date of first sexual activity there are far too many other variables including cultural and circumstances, to think that a statistical survey is going to filter them out. Children of identical twins share much the same set of aunts, uncles, and grandparents, which is at least as much of a common social environment as a common genetic pool.
impoddity
wrote on September 21 2009 @ 04:37 pm: [report]
I’m always skeptical of these types of studies because such a narrow demographic is observed. And social standards vary throughout the nation, and within economic classes, as well as ethnic groups. :rolls eyes:
Ghirardelli
wrote on September 21 2009 @ 08:11 pm: [report]
My father left very early on, and it was just me and my mom until my brother left for college. I didn’t do anything rash or stupid, in fact, I was much more mature than my all of my friends who had fathers.
effing hickster
wrote on September 21 2009 @ 09:49 pm: [report]
I thought your jeans had something to do with virginity, not your genes. Lose one, then you lose the other.
hereshestands
wrote on September 22 2009 @ 01:58 am: [report]
I went to school with a girl who grew up without her dad and she lost her virginity at 14. That came to mind as I was reading this.
snap
wrote on September 22 2009 @ 09:56 am: [report]
hahaha, hickster!
and i’m totally buying these results
. i
justme
wrote on September 22 2009 @ 10:58 am: [report]
I had divorced parents and a stepfather. I had sex at 15 but that was AFTER all of my close girlfriends who had biological fathers living at home. Also, my older sister didn’t have sex until freshman year of college.
majicksand
wrote on September 22 2009 @ 01:09 pm: [report]
I lost my virginity at 16 for the dumbest reason ever. It had nothing whatsoever to do with how my parents raised me or their genetics. In my circle of friends, there were only two girls who were still virgins. When the other one called me and told me she gave it up, I flipped. I was sure I was the last virgin left on the planet. I was being left behind and wouldn’t fit in. Within 2 weeks, I lost my virginity to a guy I had known 3 days that I never saw again. In my defense, he was in town visiting family and went home the day after it happened. Oh, and he was super-hot.
I think it’s much more likely that the cousins in the study were raised similarly and, more importantly, were friends who shared secrets. One just followed the other.
I also started smoking because my friends did. No, I wasn’t pushed into it. In fact, my friends were against it. I also was never just a follower. Frankly, I just like to know what all the fuss is about in any given situation.
Miss Mia
wrote on September 22 2009 @ 10:43 pm: [report]
@ Ghirardelli. I agree with you. My father lived in a different city and to date I am much more mature in my decisions than most women my age. Friends (and acquaintances) who have biological fathers in their home are also mature but did have sex before I did- years before. Most of them lost their virginity at 16 or 17, while I gave mine away my junior year in college.
My younger sister gave her virginity away (senior year in high school) before I did and we grew up in the same environment. We view relationships and sex the same way- something very serious, personal, and something that shouldn’t be jumped into or engaged in with just anyone. But lets not forget that there are also personal choices and external factors that help mold our decisions in life, not just the environment at home.
@ Effing Hickster…too funny, I love it!
effing hickster
wrote on September 23 2009 @ 04:00 am: [report]
@majicksand: Don’t feel bad. I couldn’t even get my first kiss in high school, despite my efforts.
majicksand
wrote on September 23 2009 @ 07:28 am: [report]
@hickster: I wish I had waited. I actually broke up with a guy the following year because I didn’t want to take his virginity. I told him that our physical relationship was progressing while our emotional relationship had stalled. I thought his first time should be with someone he loved instead of just with whoever would give it up. I wish I had practiced as much respect for myself in those days.