Associations Between Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attitudes, and Marital Horizons During Emerging Adulthood

Using a sample of 1,134 emerging adults, this study explores how the importance place on marriage, ideal marital timing, and
criteria for marriage readiness varies by sexual experience. Sexual experience groups were created using cluster analysis
techniques that incorporated both sexual behaviors and attitudes. Results from this study indicate that high rates of sexual
experience were related to an increased personal belief that marriage is an important goal and a belief that being single
holds more advantages over being married. Emerging adults with high rates of sexual experience were also more likely to believe
that sexual experience and cohabitation are important criteria for marriage readiness.