Age at First Sexual Intercourse and the Timing of Marriage and Childbirth

Although several studies have examined determinants of age at 1st intercourse less attention has been given to consequences. In this analysis age at 1st intercourse is viewed as a life course transition which can influence rates of marriage and childbearing. Analysis is based on the National Survey of Family Growth Cycle III. Early initiation of sexual activity is associated with a relatively slow pace of family formation but early initiators do catch up with late initiators. Teens who begin sexual activity early are more likely to form a family through giving birth rather than through marriage. These patterns are not greatly altered by the introduction of several quite different trajectories of marriage and childbirth following 1st intercourse. (authors)