Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Genes Can Influence The Age You Lost Your Virginity

Though mostly driven by upbringing and peer behaviour, a person’s age when they first have sex is also shaped by biological factors where genes have a role to play.




Genes may have some influence on the age when you lost your virginity. New research suggest that DNA may account for up to a quarter of the variation, with the other factors being religious beliefs, family upbringing, and peer pressure. John Perry from Cambridge University found 38 sections of DNA that affect the age at which one will first have sex. The main variant was CADM2 which is linked to not only early sex life, but also to risk taking behaviors and having a large number of children. On the flip side, was MSRA, which correlated with having a later start as well as irritability. Ultimately the researchers landed that the age in which one loses their virginity is "one quarter nature, three quarters nuture."

This caught my attention because it took something that really has nothing to do with genetics and showed how genes may play a role. Whether or not one believes this is entirely up to them. Personally, I can't say I am fully behind the results of this study. I mean there may be some correlations, but its hard for me to wrap my head around the fact my genetics played a role in something such as this. I think there are way too many other factors, for example something such as sexual attraction, that contribute to put it on genetics. I will buy that the genetics might play a role in some personality traits, which may in turn lead to losing your virginity at an earlier age; but as far as it having a direct affect I am questionable. In my opinion it remains a decision from person to person, I would really need to see further research on this before I can get behind it.

3 comments:

  1. I can see how you are skeptical, and to be honest I agree. I don't think your genes could be directly related, but I can see how it would be an influence. What I do believe though, is that your biological pre-disposition for risk taking behaviors may have been a factor in taking part in sexual activity at an early age. It goes the same with drinking underage, smoking, and drug use. I believe they're interchangeable with the "risk taking gene." Although this was really interesting I agree with your stance.

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  2. I personally think that genetics may play a role in the way a person parents their children which is a really intertwined example of nature and nurture blended into one. Maybe genetically a person is more laid back and is open their children expressing their sexuality and another person is more protective and closed minded and explains the nitty gritty details about risks of disease and pregnancy to their children and therefore their children grow up to be the exact same way. Not really sure just a thought!

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  3. As I was reading this post I was skeptical of the results. I feel like nowadays everything can be connected to genetics, and that is not the point of genetics. Sure there might be something that can tie this matter to genes but I think the chances are very low. Different religious beliefs and different countries have their own style of living and I believe that plays a big factor in when one looses their virginity.

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