📖 Overview
Mark D. Regnerus is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin and a senior fellow at the Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture. His research focuses on sexual behavior, family relationships, and religious influence on social life.
Regnerus gained widespread attention for his 2012 New Family Structures Study, which examined adult outcomes of children with parents who had same-sex relationships. The study generated significant controversy within academia and broader public discourse, with numerous scholars critiquing its methodology and conclusions.
His books include "Premarital Sex in America" (2011), which analyzes sexual behavior among young adults, and "Cheap Sex" (2017), which examines how modern sexual economics and technology affect relationship formation. He has also published research on religion's influence on adolescent behavior and sexual development.
Regnerus regularly contributes to academic journals and public discourse on issues of sexuality, marriage, and family structure. His work appears in peer-reviewed publications including Social Forces, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, and Archives of Sexual Behavior.
👀 Reviews
Reader reviews sharply diverge on Regnerus' works, particularly regarding his research methodology and conclusions about family structures.
What readers liked:
- Detailed statistical analysis and data presentation
- Clear writing style that makes complex sociological concepts accessible
- Integration of economic principles with relationship dynamics
- Evidence-based discussion of technological impacts on modern dating
What readers disliked:
- Claims of bias in research design and sample selection
- Perceived agenda in interpreting data about same-sex parenting
- Limited scope of populations studied
- Selective use of statistics to support predetermined conclusions
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: "Cheap Sex" averages 3.8/5 from 62 reviews
Goodreads: "Premarital Sex in America" averages 3.5/5 from 43 ratings
Google Books: Mixed ratings with most 1-star or 5-star reviews
Common reader comment themes emphasize the polarizing nature of his conclusions. Academic readers note methodological concerns, while general readers either praise his "honest examination of modern relationships" or criticize his "conservative bias in data interpretation."
📚 Books by Mark D. Regnerus
Cheap Sex: The Transformation of Men, Marriage, and Monogamy (2017)
Analysis of how modern sexual economics, including dating apps and pornography, influence relationship patterns and marriage rates in contemporary society.
The Future of Christian Marriage (2020) Examination of Christian marriage trends across multiple countries, incorporating interviews and data on how religious young adults approach matrimony.
Forbidden Fruit: Sex and Religion in the Lives of American Teenagers (2007) Research study exploring the relationship between religious beliefs and sexual behavior among American adolescents.
Premarital Sex in America: How Young Americans Meet, Mate, and Think About Marrying (2011) Statistical and interview-based investigation of sexual relationships, dating practices, and marriage attitudes among young adult Americans.
Christian Smith, Mark Regnerus: Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers (2009) Co-authored study documenting religious practices, beliefs, and experiences of American teenagers based on extensive interviews and survey data.
The Future of Christian Marriage (2020) Examination of Christian marriage trends across multiple countries, incorporating interviews and data on how religious young adults approach matrimony.
Forbidden Fruit: Sex and Religion in the Lives of American Teenagers (2007) Research study exploring the relationship between religious beliefs and sexual behavior among American adolescents.
Premarital Sex in America: How Young Americans Meet, Mate, and Think About Marrying (2011) Statistical and interview-based investigation of sexual relationships, dating practices, and marriage attitudes among young adult Americans.
Christian Smith, Mark Regnerus: Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers (2009) Co-authored study documenting religious practices, beliefs, and experiences of American teenagers based on extensive interviews and survey data.
👥 Similar authors
Robert P. George writes about marriage, sexuality, and religious freedom from a conservative academic perspective. His work examines natural law theory and the intersection of faith and public policy.
Ryan T. Anderson focuses on marriage, bioethics, and religious liberty in contemporary American society. He analyzes social science data regarding family structure and child outcomes.
W. Bradford Wilcox researches marriage, parenthood, and family formation using demographic and sociological data. He studies how religious practice relates to family stability and relationship outcomes.
Mary Eberstadt examines cultural shifts in family structure, sexuality, and religious practice in Western societies. She analyzes demographic trends and their effects on social institutions.
Jennifer Roback Morse writes about marriage, family economics, and sexual ethics from a traditional perspective. She focuses on the social costs of family breakdown and changing sexual norms.
Ryan T. Anderson focuses on marriage, bioethics, and religious liberty in contemporary American society. He analyzes social science data regarding family structure and child outcomes.
W. Bradford Wilcox researches marriage, parenthood, and family formation using demographic and sociological data. He studies how religious practice relates to family stability and relationship outcomes.
Mary Eberstadt examines cultural shifts in family structure, sexuality, and religious practice in Western societies. She analyzes demographic trends and their effects on social institutions.
Jennifer Roback Morse writes about marriage, family economics, and sexual ethics from a traditional perspective. She focuses on the social costs of family breakdown and changing sexual norms.