Prior relationships were common among engaged students, and these relationships ranged from a few months to a few years. Engaged students were more likely to be sexually active. Feelings towards cohabitation were mixed: some engaged couples had already cohabited and intended on doing so prior to the wedding, whereas others had not but intended to before the wedding. Others were completely opposed. Non-engaged students had discernibly different reactions towards Ring by Spring; however, non-engaged students also acknowledged negative perceptions regarding "Ring by Spring." They also attached a stigma to Ring by Spring because they felt it limited personal agency. Regarding religion and its effect on perceptions of young engagements, there was little difference between non-engaged and engaged students. Students who were more religious had more traditional beliefs about marriage and young engagement, and were also more supportive of early engagements at St. Olaf. Students who self-identified as agnostic or atheist were more uncomfortable with early engagements. Just as religion correlated with perceptions of early engagements, it also had an effect on views regarding cohabitation. Most were open to cohabiting after graduation, even in situations when families expressed disapproval. Abstract
Prior relationships were common among engaged students, and these relationships ranged from a few months to a few years. Engaged students were more likely to be sexually active. Feelings towards cohabitation were mixed: some engaged couples had already cohabited and intended on doing so prior to the wedding, whereas others had not but intended to before the wedding. Others were completely opposed. Non-engaged students had discernibly different reactions towards Ring by Spring; however, non-engaged students also acknowledged negative perceptions regarding "Ring by Spring." They also attached a stigma to Ring by Spring because they felt it limited personal agency. Regarding religion and its effect on perceptions of young engagements, there was little difference between non-engaged and engaged students. Students who were more religious had more traditional beliefs about marriage and young engagement, and were also more supportive of early engagements at St. Olaf. Students who self-identified as agnostic or atheist were more uncomfortable with early engagements. Just as religion correlated with perceptions of early engagements, it also had an effect on views regarding cohabitation. Most were open to cohabiting after graduation, even in situations when families expressed disapproval. Abstract
Ring-by-Spring-An-Examination-of-the-Actuality-and-Perception-of-Young-Marriage-and-Engagements-at-St.-Olaf-College.docx