Birth Order and Virginity

Despite the existence of a fairly extensive body of literature dealing with the correlates of birth order, little is known about whether this variable influences sexual behavior. The work of Schachter (1959) and others suggests the possibility that greater need for affiliation might increase the incidence of sexual behavior among firstborns. On the other hand, a study by Nisbett (1968) shows that firstborns are less adventuresome and more cautious than later borns. This conservatism, in turn, might reduce the incidence of premarital sexual behavior among firstborns. The present study employed anonymous selfreport of birth order and sexual experience in order to determine the nature of the relationship between the two variables. Ss were undergraduates (78 males, 96 females) enrolled in introductory psychology classes at Western Washington State College. Prior to the collection of the data, birthorder research had not been discussed nor did it appear in the assigned readings. Each S was asked to circle the appropriate sex designation on the first line of a data slip. The question in the second line was whether S was a virgin and the alternatives Yes and N o were provided for circling. When it appeared chat both items had been completed, Ss were asked to write at the bottom of the slip whether they were firstborn or laterborn. The data slips were folded and handed in without any additional information. The results were analyzed separately for each sex. For female Ss, 48% (46/96) reported themselves as firstborns and 39% (37/96) reported having had intercourse. Firstborn females, however, reported a 52% incidence (24/46) of intercourse, but only 26% (13/50) of the later born females. Thus, firstborn females were more likely than later born females to report a history of intercourse (xa = 6.98, p < .01) . For the male Ss, 51% (40/78) reported themselves as firstborns, and 59% (46/78) claimed a history of sexual intercourse. The relationship between birth order and incidence of intercourse followed the same pattern as for the female Ss, but less markedly. Among firstborn males, 70% (28/40) reported intercourse. For the later born males the corresponding probability was 47% (18/38) . This difference was significant ( X 2 = 4.11, p < .05) but at a lower level of confidence than the relationship for female Ss. Two aspects of the data suggest that these Ss are not atypical of college undergraduate populations. For the entire sample, 49% (86/174) of the Ss reported first birth position. The finding accords with other studies of birth order among college undergraduates in which it is reported that approximately half of the Ss are firstborn. Second, the incidence of reported virginity is not appreciably lower for this age group than has been reported elsewhere. Although there are numerous explanations of these findings, the author prefers interpretation that points to earlier adoption of adult roles among firstborns. Douvan and Adelson (1966) call atcention to the finding that firstborn adolescents are strongly motivated to assume the rights and responsibilities of adult roles. It seems probable, then, that these findings indicate a more rapid assumption of adult rights and privileges by firstborn Ss. REFERENCES