Final answer:
The rising age at first marriage has led to more liberal sexual attitudes and practices outside of marriage, influenced by the popularization of contraception and private spaces. Despite this, there's a strong preference for future monogamy among young adults. Educational controversies in sexual education and persistent gender double standards also impact sexual behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rising age at first marriage has considerably impacted sexual behavior in a number of ways. Historically, sexual activities were predominantly linked to marriage, but the increasing age at first marriage has seen a shift towards more liberal sexual attitudes and practices amongst unmarried individuals. For instance, popularization of contraception and the advent of private spaces such as automobiles have facilitated sexual encounters outside of marriage. This change is also reflected in survey data, like the National Survey of Family Growth, which indicated a growing acceptance among youth that it's acceptable for an unmarried female to have a child. Furthermore, despite delays in marriage, there persists a strong desire for monogamy, with most college students hoping for a mutually exclusive sexual partner in the future.
Another dimension of this change is how educational systems address sexual education. In the United States, the type of sexual education taught in schools has been controversial and often inadequate in preparing young individuals for sexual maturity and behavior. This situation has implications for how sexual behavior is shaped across adolescence and into adulthood. Moreover, the double standard regarding male and female sexuality has been noted by researchers and continues to influence sexual behavior and partner counts between genders.