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The impact of government policies and neighborhood characteristics on teenage sexual activity and contraceptive use

Author

Listed:
  • Averett, S.L.
  • Rees, D.I.
  • Argys, L.M.

Abstract

Objectives. This study sought to examine the effects of government policies and neighborhood characteristics on adolescent female sexual behavior to better inform future public policy decisions. Methods. Using a bivariate probit model and National Survey of Family Growth data on women aged 15 through 19 years, we estimated the probabilities of their being sexually active and, if sexually active, of their using contraceptives. Results. Variables measuring the cost of obtaining an abortion are not good predictors of sexual activity or contraceptive use. However, the relationship between family planning availability and contraceptive use is statistically significant at conventional levels. Conclusions. Policymakers seem to have little leverage with regard to influencing the decision to become sexually active, although increased access to family planning services may encourage responsible contraceptive behavior. Neighborhood context is an important determinant of adolescent female sexual behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Averett, S.L. & Rees, D.I. & Argys, L.M., 2002. "The impact of government policies and neighborhood characteristics on teenage sexual activity and contraceptive use," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(11), pages 1773-1778.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2002:92:11:1773-1778_9
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Wilhelmina Leigh, 2004. "Does place matter? Births to African American and Latina adolescents," The Review of Black Political Economy, Springer;National Economic Association, vol. 32(1), pages 47-64, September.
    2. Fischer, Stefanie & Royer, Heather & White, Corey, 2018. "The impacts of reduced access to abortion and family planning services on abortions, births, and contraceptive purchases," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 43-68.
    3. Jason Fletcher, 2007. "Social multipliers in sexual initiation decisions among U.S. high school students," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 44(2), pages 373-388, May.
    4. Amanda J. Felkey & Kristina M. Lybecker, 2018. "Do Restrictions Beget Responsibility? The Case of U.S. Abortion Legislation," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 63(1), pages 59-70, March.
    5. Stefanie Fischer & Heather Royer & Corey White, 2017. "The Impacts of Reduced Access to Abortion and Family Planning Services: Evidence from Texas," Working Papers 1705, California Polytechnic State University, Department of Economics.
    6. Silvie Colman & Ted Joyce & Thomas S. Dee, "undated". "Laws Requiring Parental Involvement to Obtain Abortion and Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Minors," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 5487801502744bad99ad6f4df, Mathematica Policy Research.
    7. Yunwei Gai & Li Feng, 2012. "Effects of Federal Nutrition Program on Birth Outcomes," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 40(1), pages 61-83, March.
    8. Melissa S. Kearney & Phillip B. Levine, 2009. "Subsidized Contraception, Fertility, and Sexual Behavior," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 91(1), pages 137-151, February.
    9. Colman, Silvie & Dee, Thomas S. & Joyce, Ted, 2013. "Do parental involvement laws deter risky teen sex?," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 873-880.
    10. Bisakha Sen, 2006. "Frequency Of Sexual Activity Among Unmarried Adolescent Girls: Do State Policies Pertaining To Abortion Access Matter?," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 32(2), pages 313-330, Spring.
    11. Joseph Sabia & Daniel Rees, 2012. "Does the number of sex partners affect educational attainment? Evidence from female respondents to the Add Health," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 25(1), pages 89-118, January.
    12. Sarah E Wiehe & Mei-Po Kwan & Jeff Wilson & J Dennis Fortenberry, 2013. "Adolescent Health-Risk Behavior and Community Disorder," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(11), pages 1-7, November.
    13. Diogo Fajardo Nunes Hildebrand & Andres Rodriguez Veloso, 2012. "Factors that influence the use of birth control by Brazilian adolescents," Brazilian Business Review, Fucape Business School, vol. 9(Special I), pages 120-153, March.
    14. Pamela Ortiz Arévalo, 2009. "Does sex education influence sexual and reproductive behaviour of women? Evidence from Mexico," Working Papers. Serie AD 2009-01, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Económicas, S.A. (Ivie).
    15. Julie L. Hotchkiss, 2004. "A Closer Look at the Employment Impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 39(4).
    16. Akers, Aletha Y. & Muhammad, Melvin R. & Corbie-Smith, Giselle, 2011. ""When you got nothing to do, you do somebody": A community's perceptions of neighborhood effects on adolescent sexual behaviors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(1), pages 91-99, January.
    17. repec:mpr:mprres:7063 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. Sen, Bisakha & Wingate, Martha Slay & Kirby, Russell, 2012. "The relationship between state abortion-restrictions and homicide deaths among children under 5 years of age: A longitudinal study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(1), pages 156-164.
    19. Bisakha Sen, 2007. "State Abortion Restrictions and Child Fatal‐Injury: An Exploratory Study," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 73(3), pages 553-574, January.
    20. Marshall Medoff, 2010. "The Impact of State Abortion Policies on Teen Pregnancy Rates," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 97(2), pages 177-189, June.

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