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College Women Who Had Sexual Intercourse When They Were Underage Minors (13-15): Age of Their Male Partners, Relation to Current Adjustment, and Statutory Rape Implications

University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, h_leiten{at}dewey.uvm.edu

Heidi Saltzman

University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont

In a survey of 1,439 female college students, 24% reported that they had what they considered consensual sexual intercourse between ages 13 and 15 (2% at age 13, 7% at age 14, and 15% at age 15). Contrary to the impression left by studies of teenage mothers, the majority of their male sexual partners were not substantially older than them but instead were more typically "somewhat older" (2-4 years apart) or similar aged (less than 2 years apart). The percentage of "much older" partners (5 or more years older) was 31 % for those who had intercourse at age 13, 17% for those who had intercourse at age 14, and 13% for those who had intercourse at age 15. Women who had intercourse at age 13 endorsed more current symptoms of psychological distress than those who first had intercourse at age 14 or 15. There were no significant differences between the groups in current levels of sexual satisfaction. Partner's age difference was not significantly associated with current levels of either psychological distress or sexual satisfaction. The implications of these results were discussed in light of recent calls in the United States for more strict and rigorous enforcement of statutory rape laws.

Key Words: statutory rape • adolescent sexual behavior • teenage sexual behavior • age of consent • age differences between sexual partners.

Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, Vol. 15, No. 2, 135-147 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/107906320301500204


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