Both religious activity and participation in service-learning programs are predictors of Group of answer choices
a sexual dysfunction.
paraphilias.
reduced teen pregnancy risk.
erotic plasticity.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: reduced teen pregnancy risk
Explanation:
Religious activity and participation in service-learning programs are associated with reduced teen pregnancy risk. These two factors provide protective influences that help adolescents make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual behavior.
Religious involvement often reinforces moral teachings and values that emphasize abstinence or delayed sexual activity. Religious communities typically offer support systems, structured routines, and moral expectations that discourage risky behaviors, including unprotected sex. Young people involved in religious practices are also more likely to internalize teachings that support long-term goal setting and personal responsibility, which further reduces their likelihood of engaging in behavior that could lead to teen pregnancy.
Service-learning programs combine community service with structured opportunities for learning and reflection. When adolescents participate in these programs, they often gain a greater sense of responsibility, self-worth, and connectedness to their community. These experiences promote pro-social behavior and reduce the likelihood of engaging in risky sexual activity. In some programs, topics like health, reproductive education, and goal setting are directly integrated into the curriculum, further equipping youth with the knowledge and confidence to make safe choices.
Together, religious activity and service-learning programs offer meaningful engagement, positive peer environments, adult mentorship, and structured time use. These influences serve as buffers against the pressures that may lead teens to engage in early or unprotected sexual activity. Consequently, participation in either or both tends to be linked to lower rates of teenage pregnancies.
The other choices—sexual dysfunction, paraphilias, and erotic plasticity—refer to different psychological or sexual phenomena and are not widely linked to religious activity or service-learning. Therefore, they are not correct answers in this context.