Working Paper: NBER ID: w11378
Authors: Sara Markowitz; Robert Kaestner; Michael Grossman
Abstract: The problems of teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and the high rates of other sexually transmitted diseases among youth have lead to widespread concern with the sexual behaviors of teenagers. Alcohol use is one of the most commonly cited correlates of risky sexual behavior. The purpose of this research is to investigate the causal role of alcohol in determining sexual activity and risky sexual behavior among teenagers and young adults. This research also addresses the question of whether there are public policies that can reduce the risky sexual behavior that results in harmful consequences. Individual and aggregate level data are used to investigate these questions. Results show that alcohol use appears to have no causal influence in determining whether or not a teenage has sex. However, alcohol use may lower contraception use among sexually active teens.
Keywords: Alcohol Consumption; Risky Sexual Behaviors; Teen Pregnancy; Public Policy
JEL Codes: I0
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| alcohol use (L66) | sexual intercourse (F53) |
| alcohol use (L66) | contraception use (J13) |
| beer taxes (H29) | gonorrhea rates (J11) |