RACE DIFFERENCES IN SEXUAL-ACTIVITY AMONG ADOLESCENT WOMEN - THE ROLEOF NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTERISTICS

In this study, I explore the role of neighborhood characteristics in d etermining race differences in the nonmarital sexual activity of adole scents. I use individual- and aggregate-level data to examine the asso ciation between race differences in the risk of intercourse and select ed neighborhood characteristics in a national sample of adolescent wom en. The impact of neighborhood characteristics on the race difference in sexual activity is posited to be a function of the pervasive racial segregation characterizing housing patterns in the United Stares. The results suggest that the race difference in the risk of first interco urse reflects race differences in access to economic resources and exp osure to successful adult role models. The absence of cross-level race interactions indicates that black and white teenage women respond sim ilarly to structural constraints and opportunities.