Premarital Sexual Behavior and Attitudes toward Marriage and Divorce among Young Women as a Function of Their Mothers' Marital Status

Abstract

The present study examines the relationship between daughters' attitudes and behaviors and their mothers' marital status. More specifically, it investigates premarital sexual activity and attitudes toward divorce and marriage of young unmarried women from intact (n = 30), divorced (n = 30) and reconstituted (n = 30) families. Women from intact families reported the most positive attitudes toward marriage, while those in the reconstituted-family group reported the most accepting attitudes toward divorce. Women from divorced and reconstituted families reported significantly more sexual experience than did those from intact families. Family conflict, disruption, and the presence or absence of one's father emerged as significant predictors of dating behavior and attitudes.