Sex without Sin: The Impact of Sexual Education and Sexual Morality on Sexual Self-Concept

This research aims to identify factors influencing sexual well-being and establish novel measures for sexual education curriculum, sexual morality, and sexual activity. Adolescent sexual self-concept development, sexual morality, and sexual agency have received limited attention in previous studies. Study 1 introduces reliable measures and investigates factors contributing to sexual well-being. Participants complete an online survey featuring the Sexual Self-Concept Scale, Moral Foundation Vignettes, and new items for the sex education curriculum, sexual morality, and sexual activity scales. Factor analysis reveals three highly reliable scales: negative consequences of sex, factual knowledge about anatomy, and sexual agency (e.g., consent). Older students were less likely to receive sexual agency education. Hierarchical linear regression of sexual self esteem suggests being a virgin during college predicts lower sexual self esteem (8.2% of variance) and high school curriculum including agency predicts higher sexual self-esteem (additional 3.2% of variance). Study 2 examines dimensions of sexual morality by assessing perceptions of specific sexual acts. Factor analysis identifies three dimensions: sexual exploration beyond conventional boundaries, importance of intimacy and partner satisfaction, and non-consensual harm versus consensual BDSM behaviors. Sexual morality dimensions were unrelated to sexual self-esteem, contradicting hypotheses. Participants considering sexual liberty less moral were more likely to be conservative, virgins, and straight. Students exposed to consequences-focused sex education valued intimacy, and those receiving agency-focused education viewed sexual liberty as more moral.