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.
