The Effects of Body Piercings and Tattoos on Youth Sexual Behavior Body piercings and tattoos have become commonplace among many adolescents and young adults. Their mainstream use has been popularized through the media, music and sports, and have been seen as a way of expressing social identity, culture, and individuality (Guéguen, 2012). This may explain why the overall acceptance of tattoos has increased. This study looked at the relationship between having tattoos and/or body piercings and the time at which sexual activity began. Experts have highlighted that adolescents who have body piercings and/or tattoos were more likely to be involved in risky behaviors (as cited in Guéguen, 2012). Risky behaviors include activities such as binge
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However, no difference was found between the only piercings condition and the only tattoos condition regarding the age at which individuals became sexually active. The mean age for only piercings was 15.8 for men and 15.9 for women; for only tattoos was 16.6 for men and 16.9 for women; for both piercings and tattoos was 15.2 for men and 15.4 for women, and for no piercings or tattoos was 17.5 for mean and 17.8 for …show more content…
This was implied in the abstract’s opening sentence, as well as in the fourth paragraph of the article. Following a brief but clear introduction to the key variables of interest (tattoos and piercings), the author provided a review of the past research. The literature review included a concise summary of the most pertinent research related to each of the variables included in his study. The author first cites past findings on the relationship between body piercings and/or tattoos and engagement in risky behaviors. Then the author went on to describe elements of risky behaviors as illegal drug use, binge drinking, violence, sexual activity, and substance abuse. The literature review concluded with the reasoning for his study, and provided a justified rationale for the author’s hypothesis that “respondents with tattoos and/or piercings would be more likely to report earlier sexual activity than would respondents without piercings or tattoos” (Guéguen 2012, p. 1544). The hypothesis was testable and stated the expected relationship. The author did not make it clear on the importance of the problem being investigated, or the implication of his study to the field of psychology; however, he did suggest in his discussion that individuals with
However, no difference was found between the only piercings condition and the only tattoos condition regarding the age at which individuals became sexually active. The mean age for only piercings was 15.8 for men and 15.9 for women; for only tattoos was 16.6 for men and 16.9 for women; for both piercings and tattoos was 15.2 for men and 15.4 for women, and for no piercings or tattoos was 17.5 for mean and 17.8 for …show more content…
This was implied in the abstract’s opening sentence, as well as in the fourth paragraph of the article. Following a brief but clear introduction to the key variables of interest (tattoos and piercings), the author provided a review of the past research. The literature review included a concise summary of the most pertinent research related to each of the variables included in his study. The author first cites past findings on the relationship between body piercings and/or tattoos and engagement in risky behaviors. Then the author went on to describe elements of risky behaviors as illegal drug use, binge drinking, violence, sexual activity, and substance abuse. The literature review concluded with the reasoning for his study, and provided a justified rationale for the author’s hypothesis that “respondents with tattoos and/or piercings would be more likely to report earlier sexual activity than would respondents without piercings or tattoos” (Guéguen 2012, p. 1544). The hypothesis was testable and stated the expected relationship. The author did not make it clear on the importance of the problem being investigated, or the implication of his study to the field of psychology; however, he did suggest in his discussion that individuals with