Connections

Posted on the NFCYM’s public website is a supplemental paper for the Catholic Data Report of National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR). We offer these clarifications in order to provide the most accurate representation of the NSYR findings, and so that diocesan and parish youth ministry leaders may more easily and confidently compare and contrast the findings from various sources on this study; most notably, Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers.

• The paper covers topics such as:
• The research methodology
• The use of weight to adjust for sampling bias
• How variables or groups were created or identified
• Understanding the survey protocol and question tree
• Clarifications on data from the Catholic Report regarding sexual activity and existence of a youth group/youth minister

Upon further analysis, it has come to our attention that the results reported on two of the questions or variables that we reported as representing all Catholic youth actually represent those youth who answered yes to a prior question in the survey question tree. This clarification was unintentionally omitted from the Catholic report. In the specific cases noted below, the report utilizes the term “All Catholic Youth” when in fact in it only describes the responses of all Catholic youth who were asked that question, not the entire sample of Catholic youth.

Oral Sex and Sexual Activity

The percentages of “All Catholic Youth” who reported having oral sex and/or sexual intercourse are percentages of all Catholic youth who responded yes to the questions about having been physically involved with at least one person since turning 13 and who have engaged in touching of private areas. They in fact do not represent all Catholic youth because not all Catholic youth were asked about oral sex or sexual intercourse. The results reported on oral sex and sexual intercourse can only be generalized to youth who answered yes to both:

• being physically involved, and
• engaging in touch of private areas

Provided below is additional information related to the sexual activity of youth within the Catholic population:

• 41% of all Catholic youth report having been physically involved with someone, which means 59% report that they have not been physically involved with someone.
• Within the group that has been physically involved, 76% report having been touched or touched someone else in a private area and, within this group, 58% report having engaged in oral sex and 58% report having sexual intercourse
• Of the youth who reported having oral sex:
  • 40% of junior high and 63% of high school youth have engaged in oral sex.
  • The average age at which these youth first had oral sex is 15.
• Of the youth who reported having sexual intercourse:
  • 14% of junior high and 61% of high school youth report having had sexual intercourse at least once.
  • The average age at which these youth first had intercourse is 15 and on average, they have had intercourse three times.

Existence of a Youth Group/Youth Minister

The findings reported on page 21 of the Catholic Data Report under the title heading, “Existence of a Youth Group/Youth Minister” and table 3.1, reflect only the responses of youth considered more frequent attenders (attend religious services more than twice a year). This is because youth categorized as less frequent attenders or non-attenders were not asked questions related to the existence of a youth group, youth minister, or the type of youth minister. We believe this is the most accurate way of reporting this information.

Please download the supplemental paper for a deeper and clearer understanding of this important information.