Helpful or Harmful? The Gendered Effect of Virginity Pacts on Later Sexual Victimization

Abstract

Several factors contribute to sexual victimization, including cultural practices and gendered expectations. The current study considered one aspect of purity culture, adolescent virginity pacts, and their potential effect on sexual victimization in adolescence and adulthood. Using data from all five waves of the Add Health, longitudinal mixed gender and gender-specific analyses were conducted. The results indicated a gendered association between virginity pacts and sexual victimization. Virginity pacts were associated with lower odds of sexual victimization for women, while men who took a virginity pact had higher odds of sexual victimization compared to their counterparts who did not take a virginity pact. Theoretical explanations and practical implications are presented, highlighting the potential importance of gendered socialization in preventing gender-based violence.