Sexual Engagement Among Filipino Adolescents: Factors, Perceptions and Practices

Abstract

This research study explored the sexual engagement among Filipino teenagers aged 13 to 19 years. It determined the different factors (family values, peers, religious teachings and social influences) that influence their perceptions and practices toward various sexual activities. The study also aimed to understand the attitude of the teenagers on whether to engage or not in these different sexual activities, such as kissing, necking, petting and sexual intercourse. The study participants included 100 teenagers residing in the 10 different communities in Barangay Tunasan, Muntinlupa City. They participated in the study through a purposive sampling and self- administered survey questionnaire. From these respondents, 5 of them were chosen to participate in in-depth interview as part of data triangulation. Results show that in Barangay Tunasan, the family is the most influential factor that influence the teenagers’ decision- making in engaging in sexual activities. About ninety percent (90%) of the respondents say that their families, being conservative, influence them on not engaging in sexual activities and thus becoming conservative as well. Peers, on the other hand, are the significant others whom the adolescents spend most of their time with but are as influential as the family and the church in their decision on sexual engagement. Religious teachings and values run next to the family as the next most influential factor in their decision-making. Social influences, on the other hand, help them to become aware of the different sexual behaviors and activities, especially in adolescent relationships. However, though they are open to sexual issues, most still do not engage in the most intimate levels of sexual activities. Of the less than fifty percent (50%) of the teenagers who are into relationships with the opposite sex, majority of them engage only in hugging and smacking or simple kissing behavior.