Degree Name

MA (Master of Arts)

Program

Sociology

Date of Award

5-2014

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Joseph O. Baker

Committee Members

Leslie McCallister, Kelly N. Foster

Abstract

A multitude of research exists examining the relationship between religion and early marriage, yet little research has focused on the relationship between religion and early childbearing. Even less has examined the influence of adolescent religion on early parenthood. Using data from the National Study of Youth and Religion, I examined the relationship between religion in adolescence and parenthood outcomes in early adulthood. I focus on how religiosity in adolescence shapes whether an individual is more or less likely to be sexually active, become pregnant, and/or have and keep a child. Results suggest that those who are religious in adolescence are less likely to have children early because of the postponement of sexual debut.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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