Reading Journal Essay

The discussion on Data shows that in the year 2000, the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study samples used were drawn from students in various grades of school; 7th, 9th and 11th grades. (Longmore et al, 2009) The interviewing of parents and adolescents in separate rooms meant that the information elicited was more accurate due to confidentiality (. However, the drawing of samples from Ohio only diminished the universality of the study as samples from other states were likely to result in different responses unique to the socialize (Emerson, Robert, Rachel, Fretz, and Shaw. 8). tion of adolescents in their respective places that they lived. Since there was no objection from all the 62 schools as to the drawing of samples, (Longmore et al, 2009) the accuracy of information given was also likely to have been enhanced to a great extent.
The second phase of data collection done in the year 2002 was skewed in that it oversampled adolescents from the Black and Hispanic races. (Longmore et al, 2009) A better approach would have been to sample equal numbers of adolescents at least from the majority race groups. It was a method of sampling that the adolescents interviewed were all virgins (Daren, 2012). This however may not have been an absolute fact as the only definite way to determine this would have been through medical examination. The presumption that all respondents were virgins by them merely stating it was bound to have an effect on the ultimate findings of the study. Contrary to the writers’ assertions, gender age and race play a significant role in determining at least the point at which adolescents are initiated into sex. It would have been important to also discuss who between male and female adolescents engage in sex earlier.
The inclusion of parents in the research is important as it points out to actions which they themselves take or fail to take which in turn affects the accelerated or delayed initiation into sexual activity by the adolescents. There were more female parent or relative respondents than their male counterparts. (Longmore et al, 2009) This may have been due to their availability at home at the time of the interviews, their willingness to participate in the process. The views of male and female parents or relatives on the initiation of adolescents into sex are bound to vary across the various sets.
The second phase of sampling considered almost 70 per cent of white respondents, almost 20 percent Black and 9 per cent Hispanic (Longmore et al, 2009) which was a more relative representation of the various populations as they exist in the country

“Big Picture”

The method of collection of data was important to the big picture especially with the involvement of the parents. Monitoring of adolescents dating patterns by parents had an adverse influence on their debut into sexual activity (Longmore et al, 2009). Their involvement also determined the frequency with which the adolescents were left home alone and how this affected the trends of initiation into sex (George 11). Home alone time is seen as an important factor in the determination of time of sexual debut per Buhi and Goodson.(as cited in Longomore et al, 2009)
The inclusion of parents in the studies also fortifies their role in delaying initiation into sex. The use of religious guidance to delay debut into sex by adolescents is encouraged (Lefkowitz, Gillen, Shearer, & Boone, 2004)
The number of times that parents and adolescents communicate about sex is emphasized per Regnerus.(as cited in Longomore et al, 2009). There however has to be a clear distinction between talk on contraceptives and sex as opposed to talking about the moral bit of it alone (Booth, Wayne Gregory, Colomb, Joseph and Williams 21). It inculcates both logic and scientific aspects of engaging in early sex and its consequences as well as the more subjective moral, religious and social aspects (Weiss, 1995).

Work Cited

Monica A. Longmore, Abbey L. Eng, Peggy C. Giordano, and Wendy D. Manning, ‘Parenting and Adolescents’ Sexual Initiation: Journal of Marriage and Family 71, 2009.
Lefkowitz, E. S., Gillen, M. M., Shearer, C. L., & Boone, T. L. ‘Religiosity, sexual behaviors and sexual attitudes during emerging adulthood’. Journal of Sex Research, 41, 150–159.
George, Mary. The Elements of Library Research: What Every Study Needs to Know. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2008.
Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams, The Craft of Research, 3rd edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2008.
Emerson, Robert M., Rachel I. Fretz, and Linda L. Shaw, Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995.
Weiss, Robert W., Learning from Strangers: The Art and Method of Qualitative Interview Studies. New York: The Free Press, 1995.
Becker, Howard S., Writing for Social Scientists: How to start and finish your thesis, book, or article. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1986.
Becker, Howard S., Tricks of the Trade: How to think about your research while you’re doing it, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998.
Daren H. S. (2012), Sample Paper for Research Methods, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne