INFLUENCES IN ATTITUDES TOWARD PREMARITAL SEX

Effect of Social Culture versus Religious and Parental Beliefs in Attitudes towards Premarital Sex

Kirandeep Chahal

PSYC 4170 I

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand the effect of Western culture versus the effect of parental and religious beliefs on one's attitude toward premarital sex. The participants in this study will be students aged 18-25. The method used will be surveys and the design used will be based on the Ajzen and Fishbein (1975, 1980) theory of reasoned action. This study will describe what influences people`s decision which should help raise awareness to STD`s and condom use.

Effect of Culture versus Religious and Parental Beliefs on Attitudes towards Premarital Sex

Sexual behavior, in particular premarital sex, has usually been taboo in most countries and for most people. People rarely discuss what they do in their bedroom and there is much stigmatization around people's views and attitudes toward sexual behavior. However, sex is a part of human nature and every individual encounters it in some way or another. Over the years, sex has become less taboo and is now actually referenced in so many ways. The media use sex to sell their products; the porn industry uses sex to make money; and prostitutes literally sell sex.

In recent decades, there has been a great change in the Canadian population. An increasing number of immigrants have come to this country bringing their beliefs and values with them. However, these beliefs and values which may be accepted in other religions and cultures are very different from those accepted in a Western culture. This poses a dilemma on the part of many individuals who are trying to negotiate a personal code from both Western culture and the beliefs of their religion and parents.

During adolescence, many individuals if not all are confronted with a struggle between family life and life outside of the home. They are at an age where they are trying to find themselves and their identity but they are in conflict. On the one hand, they have peers at school engaging in activities which may be sexual and they are seeing this happen and are wondering whether it is normal.

At the same time, there is peer pressure and the need to fit in at school which is overwhelming for some individuals. There are also the media that in a way makes sex seem normal whether it is in advertising, movies, or television shows. However, on the other hand teenagers have parents telling them not to listen to their friends and just focus on school. Many of these kids also have their religious values which promote abstinence until marriage. It is an obvious struggle between Western culture and socialization versus parental, religious, and cultural values.

This study will take an approach that addresses both of these conflicting viewpoints with a greater emphasis on the effect of Western culture. Western society in particular, social influence, and Western ideals are thought to influence people's choice and values more than religious and parental ideals ...