Influence of older siblings on initiation of sexual intercourse

This article hypothesizes that older siblings influence the timing of younger siblings' first intercourse because they are orientational others for them (i.e., others who provide individuals with a concept of self through communication) and, therefore, intermediaries to their own reference group. Matching 183 pairs of independent interviews of cohabiting adolescent siblings (from Philadelphia) and controlling for parental attitudes and behavior relevant to teenage sexuality, this analysis investigates several effects associated with older siblings as orientational others. Interaction of these effects with gender is addressed. The results indicate that the sexual behavior of older brothers has a significant influence on the timing of younger siblings' initiation of sexual inter-course.