In Forbidden Fruit, University of Texas sociologist Mark Regnerus examines the interplay of sex and religion in the lives of American teenagers. He asks what role religion actually plays in teens' sexuality, what parents communicate to their teens about sex, what teens' sexual practices are and more.

Forbidden Fruit addresses these questions with a rich trove of data from the National Survey of Youth and Religion, a scientific survey of 3,370 teen respondents, and further in-depth interviews. Dr. Regnerus also interacts with dozens of relevant academic journal articles and books. This comprehensiveness results in a masterful account of the topic.

A few of the many findings: Religion as religion influences but does not motivate many teens; most evangelical teens have the same permissive sexual practices as other teens; abstinence pledges only delay first-time sex; and family structure and wealth have more effect than religion on teen sexuality.

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